This document consists of the
[Reserch
Analysis Identify Ideate Visualize Implement]phases and Bibiliography
of the Design project
MSME DESIGN CLINIC SCHEME
Why this project? I wanted to try working with the constraints of a government run scheme, effectively communicate the concept of design and its significance and bring to light the brilliance of the scheme to people who could benefit the most by making it more approachable.
RESEARCH Studying the working of the design clinic scheme
Design consultancy programmes
On being introduced to the project my On having observed the functions of the first task was to look up the design clinic Design clinic scheme I drew paralles to scheme as an organization and its working other design consultancy programmes and conduct a series of initial interviews from around the world with the officials of the design clinic During the course of which the highlight scheme terms that i came across were Service design, Human centric design and Design for Social Impact The scheme mainly consists of three But one may question that what stages: distinguishes human centric design from The design awareness smeinars any design as design also has people at The design awareness programme the centre of it. and The design projects Design is ‘meant’ to be human centric but since that is not the direction that most designers are choosing these days there is a need to introduce a At the this stage i recognized the three field that would make Design human stakeholders of the projects;- the designer centric again. the client(msme) and the deisgn clinic scheme office .
Some of the programmes observed in detail were the the IDEO Human Centred the communication tools being used curDesign and the Design for Social Impact, rently are Innovation by deisgn (Ireland), The Brochures’ Sevice Design programme (Wales), etc Registration forms FAQ s An interesting case study was that of the Presenatations Design Centre Parana Brazil which also Guidelines target the SME’ s in Brazil and to note Criteria the approach that they take which not just Design proposal involves introducing the SME’s to design Document checklist and making them a part of a project but in the long run ) “how to hire designers, manage design projects and understand design as a strategic tool.”
If design is human centric then how different is Human centred Design?
Modify the way you work? Another approach that was taken was to try and break down the activities of the fuctioning of the DCS and identifying the gaps by directly comparing them to already existing models of design consultancy programmes. One of different working models that I observed was the IDEO Design for social impact tool kit which talks about nine design principles and twenty eight methods in which design firms can work towards social design. But by this approach it was observed that many of the gaps were extremely specific to a particular model which meant that it would’nt fit in directly into the deisgn clinic schme
[Why?] Since I was looking so closely at the system I was even considering the approach of suggesting alternatives to the current working system But this would probably require a lot more time and it would be more challenging to work around the existing system and try and enhance it
[The step forward in social design] Some of the recommendations in order to improve the process of service design as suggested by various organizations practicing it were: Measure impact Get to starting a project as quickly as possible Follow up at the end of a design project Record numbers Provide justification for the use of Design
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Of the various suggestions to introduce design in the social sector most of the steps are already in parctice in the Design clinic scheme and the other suggestions are very specific in nature and need to be contextualised before implementation
Primary analysis Also simultaneously began interviews with the various people involved with the design clinic scheme(from the three stakeholder groups the designer the client and the esign clinic scheme) These issues have been identified from all the three stages of the Design clinic scheme- The Design awareness seminars, Design awareness programmes as well as Design projects after various interviews as well as a personal. As the people interviewed do not wish to be cited as a part of the document this section only summarises the findings from the primary research.
[How brilliant are we?] Inspite of the unanimous agreement at the brilliance of the scheme it was noted that the there was a lack in the visibilty of the scheme in terms of ther successful projects and products which made the DCS office rely heavliy on the workshops and seminars conducted by the DCS office and the communication tools used at the workshop.
[Completed projects and the Successful projects ]
The website of the Design clinic scheme is one of the major media through which you can source [The Design Clinic information regarding the list Schme is great] of projects in their respective stages. But from the point of view This was the unanimous opinion of most of a designer a project is not it’s of the interviewees that the scheme is documentation but the final outcomeserving and excellent purpose of helping whether it was successful or not. the MSMEs through design and it has Succesful projects(market ready also been noted that in the past three products which can be seen in use) years since they stated in 2011 the are not highlighted which are most effectiveness of the design awareness likely to attract most attention. seminars has resulted in an increase in the number of registrations of the design projects.
[The eternal troubles of the designer] Nobody understands the ways of working of a designer. Especially when it is a cluster association that has employed a designer to give him a working solution that is exactly what he expects from the very first minute a designer starts work on it. Designers in the past have faced issues like the client deeming the stage of ideation sketches to be redundant and just a way to delay the project and losing faith in the results of the project.
[Are we addressing the wrong people? ]
Though the intention of the scheme is to reach out to all of the micro small and medium enterprises it has been noted that majority of the MSME s in India rely heavily on the technique of ‘reverse engineering’ for which they require no design input but just tooling costs.
ANALYSIS
Reverse engineering involves taking and existing product to try and imitate its design and incorporate it in the existing design of the manufacturer. Hence many MSME are averse to an innovative design solution as they trust the fina outcomes of a technique like reverse engineering better.
[It is not always about the smaller issues ]
[Why are there so many documents? ]
It has been observed through the design reports submitted that the format is not flexible and thus provides very rigid criteria for the designers to categorize teir findings under. This leads to a trivialization of issues identified.
There is a requirement of various documents at consecutive stages of the Design Clinic Scheme in order to be a part of it. This becomes a cumbersome activity for the MSME and designers involved and also an additional process which they don’t forsee while enrolling for the Design Clinic Scheme.
[ Documentation ] With the amount of stress that is given to the process of documentation the format(provided by the DCS which Must be followed) does not accomodate the standard design process followed by most designers. The specifications talk more about the number of photographs, the size of the paper, etc.
[The engineer vs designer debate] Due to some gaps in the communication the MSME in most cases expect the designers to support the MSME till the final manufacturing of the product. since the DCS supports only the design practice the final tooling in some cases it leads to the abandonment of teh project due to lack of trust in the functioning of the scheme.
[The ethics of the game] It had also been noted that inspite of following a strict format for the process of documentation- the ethical issues of citation, bibliography etc have been neglected.
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This was an initial process diagram explaining the current working system of the design clinic scheme. The solid lines represent the actual process while the dashed lines show the gaps in the system. The pink tags spell out the gaps identified The list of issues from the diagram have been listed above.
IDENTIFY
DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES The design opportunities I drew together a wide range of insights from all the research and distilled these insights into opportunity areas. They are by no means mutually exclusive, and will interweave and overlap in their focus and outcomes.
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A section of the mind map which just broadly identifies the design opportunities from the various issues that were mentioned earlier
THE DESIGN PROJECT STAGE After blocking the major areas of the issues faced in the system of the Design clinic scheme I finalised on working within the ‘Design Project’ stage of the Design Clinic scheme. So this stage would start from approach for the design project to submission of final report in case of a finished design project. It may also include other platforms at which the design project of the Design Clinic Scheme are promoted.
Even within the Design project stage I was looking at the Proffesional Design projects since most of my preliminary was in this area.
OPPORTUNITY DISTILLATION The opportunity areas that I narrowed down on were: State clearly to the client what they should be expecting Set the specifications of the design process that will be followed during the Design Project Make the process of documentation requirements less cumbersome Incorporate the process of documentation in the Design project to make it in line with process they follow.
[Possible Implications] Since the MSME are not well aware about the idea of design it would be good to orient them to the specifications of the deisgn process (activities, deliverables, etc). And also so that they do not consider any of the stages redundant. By setting a generalised design process it would be easier for all the design experts to document their projects which the current rigid document( not in line with the design process) does not allow. The idea would not mke it appear as a separate process altogether. [Considerations] Since this information is not already a part of the existing documents of the dcs the first step would be to generate the content for explaining the process. Though there are so many documents they all must be included for approval of the project The design process developed for the Design Clinic scheme shuld be specific to the Design Clinic scheme and may or may not apply to other systems.
Would deadlines be a part of the explanation of the design process as they can be very project specific? It should specifically be about the design process and not design
DEALING WITH CONTENT
I started with looking at the various documents involved in the design project stage of the Design clinic Scheme These includedThe design proposal document The guidelines for the design expert Design project stage The project assesment criteria for the Design projects Project management assesment committee format Checklist of other official documents required from the MSMEs and Designer (Declarations, profit statements , etc) [Highlighting the gaps] Primarily I started off by looking at the documents which a client or designer must go through before one applies for a Design project with the Design clinic scheme. Currently there are five documents that an applicant needs to go through in order to submit a design proposal to be able to understand the guidelines and criteria that need to be considered. The highlights were mainly to identify the bits of information that could lead to some kind of a gap in the communication between the MSME and the Design clinic scheme. Secondly I analysed a complete project document in order to understand the information that is filled in with regard to the question put forth in the design proposal as well as the design reports submitted following the format provided by the Design clinic scheme
IDEATE
GENERATING THE CONTENT I also attempted to introduce My first attempt was to try and simplify iconography into the document after taking references from the the information by restructuring it. wor ks of Nigel Holmes and Otto After going the document I selected neurath whre in both cases ivons the essential parts of information have helped to simplify complex that one would require to fill in the information spaces design proposal and compiled that [Prelimnary user testing] information with the requirements of the design(distillation) proposal and the But after a round of prelimnary criteria for assessment of projects. I had further categorized the information in the design proposal into six section such that the first five section would consist of the information common to the initial project proposal and the PMAC format so that the design proposal can directly be forwarded to the for second level evauation to the PMAC just by excluding the last section.
user tests this idea was not taken ahead as the users were not very comfortable with the reduced text and preffered to go back to the extensive documents to confirm the information(guidelines and criteria).
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On the left side of the document is the information that is included as a part of the design proposal and on the right is the list of guidelines and criteria to be considered for that section.
Distillation-Rewriting the information to contain only its gist or essence PMAC or the Project management assessment committee is a body that evaluates the design proposal at the second level after it has gone through a round of prelimnary screening by the Design clinic scheme office
[Restructing again] This was where I tried other methods of simplification of information. Namely by Layering and ommission. With this document since the original language of the documents was being maintained the idea was to highlight certain information in the document by going with its ‘documentness’ and using ‘highlights’ like on paper.
[Ready posting] Since the all the documents need to submitted as a hard copy as well as a soft copy another approach was to make the document post ready by having a checklist of the documents directly printed on the envelopes which could be a part of the document . I narrowed down on making a standard a4 size courier envlope a part of the booklet
[The binding] The binding had to be such that the enevelope could be detached from the booklet without damaging te envelope to keep it intact for posting The approach that I took was to use rubberband binding in theis booklet as it could ensure that the envelope is not damged to be made a part of the binding and can be included in just by using two half cicles on the bottom edge corners of the envelope.
[Page formats] There were various page formats that I tried before narrowing down on the 13 by 20 cm format C5 format A simple fold of the envelope may be accomodated within the booklet Easy to handle size 110mm by 265 mm Long format helps to arrange processes easily A2 size A large format that could double up as publicity material as well be given away at the end of presentation 13 cm by 20 cm Accomodates the envelope within it without damaging it or employing extra processes. [Considerations] •Should be able to accomodate a standard a4 format (27.3cm by 31.4cm) courier envelope •Easy to print on commonly found printers •preferably small format Out of this the A2 format as well would be a part of the final deliverable.
VISUALIZE
They aim to solve the what why and how of the design process
VISUAL FORM
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[Content] Since this information is not already a part of the existing documents of the DCS the first step would be to generate the content for explaining the process. But since the installments are released by the design clinic scheme office it would be prefrable to explain the design process in four phases. The main objective of this document would be to introduce the deesign process that will be followed during the design project through the activities carried out their contribution to the final solution and a brief idea about the kind of deliverables that could be expected. Also to elucidate the two features in the design process- the sequential nature and reiteration in the design process.
The first trial looks very linear and does not show the reiteration clearly The second trial shows the activities of each phase directed towards the solution but does not show reiteration
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A similiar visual form was taken forward as it exaggerates the contribution of each phase towards the solution.
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An experimental snakes and ladder format
[Source hunting] I started off with looking at the existing design process models like the IDEO design thinking model by Tim brown, IDEO method cards, A model of the creative process- dubberly design office, the double diamond design process, etc from primary sources I gathered information by discussing the design process followed during the various projects taken up by designers and faculty. After trying to understand various approaches to the design process the intention was not to come up with a new model or processs but at least try and develop a visual form to explain it which would generate some interest.
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The finalised visual form which its four sections showing the four phases of the design process and the juction of each phase provides two directions either to go a step back orto take the step forward Thus showing reiteration
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This was the first iteration of the form but on testing it I realised the form could be very intimidating to try and explain the design process.
IMPLEMENT OUTCOME 1
OUTCOME 2
OUTCOME 3
A document that combines the information in the five documents that one need to refer to in order to fill even the Design proposal.
A large format document consisting of the same content as outcome 1 but excluding the ready posting.
A visual form that explains the design process to the MSME’s along with the activities of each phase with their significance and in some cases examples of the deliverables from completed projects.
[Implication]
To be given at the end of a a workshop or seminar which talks about the design project and its outcomes.
This document also very briefly talks This could help avoid situations about the other activities of the Design where the designer is unprepared while filling in the clinic scheme. design proposal with certain [Implication] details about the project. And hence provide vague details which This could help in reestablishing may or may not occur during the the information that had been project. shared orally as a part of the workshop or seminar. Attempts to restructure the information needed to be filled in a manner such that we can get rid of the need to fill out the design proposal again in the PMAC format. To try and incorporate ready posting of the documents required during the documents
[Implication] This could make the process of document requirement easier by printing the checklist on the envelopes and briefing the client and the designer about the requirements right from the beginnng. To be given at the start of the design project on approaching the design clinic scheme office. Content may be available as an online application form or in a downloadable format.
BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS 1. Thomas Wedell and Nancy Skolos, Graphic design processes: From Problem to solution: 20 case studies (Laurence King (3 Sep 2012)) 2. Nigel Holmes, The best in diagrammatic graphics (Rotovision (1 March 1994)) 3. Steven Heller, Working biographies: Nigel Holmes on Information design (Jorge Pinto Books Inc. (February 15, 2006)) 4. Roger Fawcett Tang, Experimental formats and packaging (RotoVision (September 1, 2004)) 5. Lakshmi Bhaskaran, Size Matters: Effective Graphic Design for Large Amounts of Information (Rotovision; 1ST edition (January 2004)) 6. Carolyn Knight and Jessica Glaser, Diagrams- Innovative solutions for Graphic designers Rockport Publishers; Paperback (November 1, 2009) 7. Wilson Harvey, 1000 Graphic design elements: Details for Distinctive Designs (Rockport Publishers (September 4, 2004)) 8. Jerry Herring, Annual Report design (Watson-Guptill; First Edition edition (January 1, 1990)) 9. Dimitris Kottas, New Graphic Design Corporate and Institutional Graphics (Watson-Guptill; First Edition edition (January 1, 1990)) ARTICLES IN MAGAZINES 1. Liz Sanders. Edited by Hugh Dubberly. Written for Interactions magazine “An Evolving Map of Design Practice and Design Research” 2.hugh Dubberly Written for Interactions magazine by Hugh Dubberly. “Toward a model of innovation “ BLOGS 1. “Designerly Ways of Researching: Re-thinking the Design Process. Lisa Grocott’s Practice-led Research as a Model for Design Education” Posted on June 3, 2013 by gig http://designpracticesandparadigms. wordpress com/2013/06/03/designerly-ways-of-researching-re-thinking-thedesignprocess-lisa-grocotts-practice-led-research-as-a-model-for-designeducation/ 2. The “Magic” Behind the Curtain: Understanding the Design Process of Hugh Dubberly Posted on June 12, 2013 by tireebee http:// designpracticesandparadigms.wordpress.com/2013/06/12/themagic-behindthe-curtain-understanding- the-design-process-of-hugh-dubberly/
WEBSITES 1. “Introducing Design methods” Design Council UK http://www. designcouncil. org.uk/news-opinion/introducing-design-methods 2. “Leading business by Design” Design council UK http://www. designcouncil. org.uk/sites/default/files/asset/document/dc_lbbd_ report_08.11.13_FA_ LORES.pdf 3. “How we make grants” Bill and Melinda Gate sfoundation http://www.gatesfoundation.org/How-We-Work/GeneralInformation/HowWe-Make-Grants 4. “What to expect online application”- http://wrm.wkkf.org/ uWebRequestManager/UI/Initial_Submission_Information. pdf 5. “The business of Design”- Cartlidge Levene http:// cartlidgelevene.co.uk/ work/books-and-publications/design-council-the-business-ofdesign 6. “BTG brand developement “- Bostock and Pollitt http://www. bostockandpollitt.com/work/btg/ 7. “Building Next Generation Design Support Programmes Putting policy into action”-SEE platform http://www. seeplatform.eu/docs/ Design%20Support%20Programmes.pdf ONLINE FORMATS OF PUBLISHED BOOKS 1. (IDEO Design consultancy © 2014 IDEO) https://hcd-connect-production.s3.am azonaws.com/toolkit/en/download/ideo_hcd_toolkit_final_cc_ superlr.pdf 2. (IDEO) http://www.ideo.com/images/uploads/news/pdfs/ IDEO_RF_Guide.pdf 3.Otto Neurath, International Picture Language- the first rules of Isotype ( Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. Ltd) http://imaginarymuseum. org/MHV/PZIm h v/NeurathPictureLanguage.html