OUGD504 Studio Brief 1 - Study Task 1

OUGD504 Studio Brief 1 - Study Task 1

While we were set the brief, we were given the task of researching into design process. I found this particularly useful as I initially didn't quite understand the brief, but after looking into books at the library and the given task, I realised what was asked of me and the expectations. Going through these books made me think of the design process in more detail, there were aspects that I hadn't realised myself but are also part of my own design process. I think looking at these initially will really help me in creating my own list, which I can also refer back to for future briefs. 

Design Thinking by Gavin Ambrose and Paul Harris 

7 Steps to the design process - 

Define (Brief)
Research (Background)
Ideate (Solutions)
Prototype (Resolve)
Select (Rationale)
Implement (Delivery)
Learn (Feedback) 


Define - Interpret the brief
            Shared expectations
            Validity of the briefs elements
            Restraints and expectations

Research - Research for up to date, contemporary designs
                What appeals to people
                Primary research (provides what works and what does not)
                Secondary research (demographics and structures research)

Ideate - Use brief and research to start to generate ideas
            How much money is needed?
            See whether sufficient levels of research were carried out

Prototype - Potential solutions
                 Test as a physical object

Select - Choose ideas for development
            Does it meet the brief?
            How effective is it for its target?

Implement - Delivering the solution 
                   Production specifications
                   Print is accurate and web is functional

Learn - Feedback stage
           Identify what worked
           Improvements
           Enhances development of design thinking
           Helps generate future successful designs 


Ambose, G and Harries, P. 2010. Basics Design 08: Design Thinking. London: Thames & Hudson.

These 7 steps I think related to my own design process (with some variation) particularly selection, as this is something I had not considered. It is however a big part of the design process as it made me think about a previous brief secret 7 where we created several designs and had to select one to develop and take further. This certainly will help me in creating my own list.
When being asked to present our study task as a 'visual metaphor' it made me realise how I can simply my process to visualise it to make an interesting leaflet. Looking at other people's work opened up ideas to how I can display and produce my own leaflet. Therefore this session certainly helped in giving me a solid understanding of the brief and where I can go with it.