Tag: ConceptualDesign

Don’t interrupt

I need to get that invoice out. What was I thinking about? Should I order another coffee? There’s so much to do before Christmas. Is the role of…

What shall we do a with a no-brief client?

(To the tune of “What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor”) Chorus: What shall we do with a no-brief client? What shall we do with a no-brief…

Make a little time for design

Things are just a bit too busy right now. I don’t really have much time to think about my design process. Or so it goes. But here’s the…

Juice the brief

Juice the Brief is one of my favourite techniques for uncovering the possibilities hidden in a design brief. It’s a simple yet powerful way to stimulate creativity, generate…

Approaching conflict in design

Some people like conflict. Other people stay away from it.Some people attempt to engage constructively in conflict. The opposite is also true. For me, conflict is simply when…

Design loop the loop

Design is a continuous, looping process. It is a loop that begins with observing a situation, then establishing a brief for your work, developing ideas, and testing those…

Standardising decision-making in design

Standardising decision-making enables companies to save money. A standardised process allows more junior staff to make decisions without needing to consult a more senior member of staff. Why…

The subjective in the objective

An objective decision is one that is independent of the decision-maker, as long as that person knows what they are doing. A subjective decision is one that is…

Framing Design Decisions

Shall we go to the Italian or the Mexican restaurant? Shall we go to the Mexican or the Italian restaurant? Shall we go to the Italian or the…

Playing poker by the rules of noughts and crosses

This week I am writing about how we make decisions in design. I’ve written before about David Snowden’s way of describing systems using a games analogy (see reference…

Design decisions – who decides?

Design is full of decisions. Which client? Which supplier? Which materials? What location? Whether to build or not to build? Which idea best suits the brief? Shall I…

Design versus Shopping

If the client knows exactly what they want at the start of a design process, then it isn’t design – it’s shopping. Shopping for the answer that you’ve…

Start with your scales

I was taught to start my music practice by playing my scales. Starting with your scales: Starting with your scales doesn’t just apply to instruments. It applies to any…