Designing is ... A guide featuring 10 design fundamentals
Thibo Castelein
Creating with passion or not at all A designer must dedicate him- /herself fully to a project, only this way he/she can achieve the goals to create remarkable products. The passion and hard work a designer puts in a product’s design is noticeable in the result.
A process from first sketch to production
A product isn’t just made in a few steps, it features a whole design process, from the ďŹ rst ideas to the actual product. Every aspect of this process is considered important, for the decisions made at the beginning will have a crucial impact later on in the process.
Doing research and getting inspired When designing a new product, it is important to know what already is on the market, which technologies and developments are available, ‌ Looking at how the same problems are being solved in other products can give inspiration.
Making a lot of sketches
During the idea generation it might be useful to take pen and paper and draw the concepts. Not only does this help to visualise your ideas, it’s also a great tool to communicate the ideas to the stakeholders and possible clients. Throughout the sketching phase, new ideas are also being generated.
Building mock-ups
The best way to design products is of course by actually making them. Feedback about the aesthetics, ergonomic aspects and the user experience can only be obtained through prototyping. Furtherly a mock-up can be decisive to convince stakeholders and clients to invest in the product.
Being innovative
In a continuous changing world, a designer has to translate new technologies and functions into a new product that outstands itself
User centered thinking Designing is building products for people, so it’s a good thing to involve these people into the design process. By paying attention to the client’s feedback, the product’s design and features can be improved until it meets the client’s wishes and demands.
Always aiming for a better result
An elaborated concept can never be good from the ďŹ rst time. Designing is an everlasting cycle of trial and error, every detail must be worked out to perfection. The designer must not be satisďŹ ed with the result until it’s better than perfect.
Aiming for durable products
Products are made to last. To accomplish this, it is important to consider which raw materials are being used. The designer must choose the materials to fulďŹ l design aspects concerning for example strength and look, but also think of the impact it will have on the environment.
Opting for economical production methods
From the beginning of the design process, it is crucial what production methods will be used. The designer must opt for production methods and tooling considering whether it’s serial production or mass production.