The Creative Process

How to start a design project? Do you find that you have a process for initiating your design work?
Yes, They include list making and starting a project where the seed of the idea has absolutely nothing to do with the
project. - Stefan Sagmeister

Stefan Sagmeister is a renowned Austrian-born US based contemporary graphic designer and typographer. Please resu-
rech his work. https://sagmeister.com/

Research and Development

You are expected to independently seek information you employ in shaping the message and concept behind your proj-
ect. You will present documentation of the stages of your solution. Keep a detailed sketch book and tumbnails for each
project as a record keeping tool of the design process for each project. Keep a job folder – this is a folder containing every
scrap you generate in all phases of the project.

What is a thubnail sketch?

A thumbnail sketch is a vital preparatory step in starting your design and a great planning tool to help you retain all your
ideas. Thumbnails will help you strengthen your work’s design and composition. Thumbnails are a way to record and place
your ideas on paper. On the first stage of the tumbnail do not place much emphasis on details, instead quickly scketch
your idea on paper and move on to the next concept. First, draw a square that resembles the format you are going to use
for your design. Your thumbnail size should be not larger than three inches tall or wide. Now you can start drawing. Draw
only what is necessary to suggest the essential characteristics of your idea.

Concept
Concept is an idea. Ideas are what make designs happen. It is what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something
comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan). Concept is everything. Even the most beautiful piece of design means
nothing unless it is the expression of a dynamic concept in the service of a powerful, specific, and appropriate message.
You must begin the process of first understanding conceptual thinking and then developing a dependable method of
crafting solutions in any design situation. Concept is a major component of the evaluation of all projects.

Critiques
Critiques start at the beginning of class. Arrive early and with your work completed or work in progresss. You should not
be looking for your work on the computer or trying to finish as other are presenting. Your work should be placed in your
thumbdrive ready to present.

You should have a clear idea of what y are about to say about your work. You should make every effort to clearly articulate
concise background information on the project and your ideas in order that the group may more clearly evaluate your
work. You should be prepared to present your work to another individual, a small group, or an entire class.

At all costs avoid the use of the phrases “um”, “uh”, “you know”, and especially, “or whatever” , “and stuff ”, “I like it”and
“like” (unlessconstructing a metaphor).

You should treat every project presented for critique as your own. You show your work with the expectation that your
colleagues will provide perspectives and approaches you might not have considered yourself. They should be able to rely
upon you for the same. This is the very basis of the “creative” component of any design studio and art class. Attendance
and participation in class critiques is mandatory.

Recommended Texts
• Visual Quickstart Guides For Adobe Software By Various Authors
• Graphic Design Solutions By Robin Landa
• How To Think Like A Great Graphic Designer By Debbie Millman, Steven Heller
• Graphic Design School By David Dabner, Sheena Calvert & Anoki Casey

Graphic Design ARTS-2313-PG 9