The Method to My Madness
Design Process
01
Brainstorming/Ideation
I use brainstorming to generate as many ideas as possible when beginning a project by making lists, writing down questions that I hope to answer through my process, engage with the topic, and build on other ideas.
02
Research/Inspiration
Any project I work on begins with well-conducted research and compiled inspiration. This provides me with information about current users and competitors. It also gives me insight into the latest design trends, and any user experience points to consider.
RESEARCH
03
Planning
In this stage, I use preliminary planning to differentiate the ordinary from the extraordinary. I begin planning screens, pages, site maps, or the organizational structure of a project to determine what the goal of the design is.
04
Thumbnails
Thumbnails help me to view, organize, or find images much more quickly. It is from these thumbnails that I understand the design direction a project will take. Thumbnails can be little sketches, patterns, shapes, or the beginning of a layout.
05
Linears
Next, I take the thumbnails and develop them into larger drawings with minimal lines and negative space to create refined designs. This becomes a blank canvas that I can add colour, pattern or other features to, to further develop the concept.
06
Wireframing
If necessary, I develop low-fidelity wireframes followed by more detailed high-fidelity wireframes. For an app or website, these help to connect the site's information architecture to its visual design by showing paths between pages. It is through wireframes that I am able to determine the intended functionality of the interface.
07
Design Assets
With a blank canvas in front of me, I begin selecting colours based on my research and findings. I experiment with typography and other assets like pattern and shapes to determine the overall visual direction of the project.
