When starting a new design project, it is important to lay out a goal from the beginning. That goal allows for a linear process: it defines your objectives and aids in researching, allowing you to pull together related concepts.
An important thing to note when designing is that design and taste are two different things. Taste is, “I like it” or “I hate it.” Everyone has taste that is defined by their personality.
There’s a saying that “we don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are,” meaning people like or dislike something based on their personal experiences. Design, on the other hand, is the ability to solve a problem using the best means necessary, which doesn’t mean it has to look good. Ultimately, the aesthetic of a design is always in service of a goal.
Once you have the goal set, it’s time to start creative brainstorming. This involves asking yourself questions that are relevant to finding out more about the project. Below are a few questions to help you get started:
- Who is this product for (the target audience)?
- What is the main goal of the product?
- Where does it live?
- How does it work?
Answering these questions will allow you to begin writing down keywords that help you research other examples of similar products. These keywords will help you build a visual library that can be used throughout the whole design process. These visual cues can be pictures, color palettes, illustrations, furniture, apps, games or other websites.
