Design is an intellectual process
My short answer to a
frequent question:
“How do you
define what you do?”
Design is first and foremost an
intellectual process. Contrary to popular belief, designers are not artists.
They employ artistic methods to visualize thinking and process, but, unlike
artists, they work to solve a client’s problem, not present their own view
of the world. If a design project, however, is to be considered successful
– and that would be the true measure of quality – it will not only
solve the problem at hand, but also add an aesthetic dimension beyond the
pragmatic issues.
I consider
design not to be a series of “creative” one-offs, but an integrated
process, from planning the appropriate communications strategy to designing
functional and beautiful objects as well as – for example –
implementing electronic stationery on clients' systems.
What clients say and what
designers hear are too often very different things. Design is a powerful tool to
help clarify the problem. It is only when a common understanding has been
established between client and designer that effective results can be
achieved.
Design quality needs
an integrated approach: look more closely than expected, ask many questions,
think laterally, get involved in things you shouldn’t, do more than you
are supposed to and have fun doing it. Problem solving is one thing, aesthetic
pleasure another. Combine the two, make the engineer sketch like an artist and
make the artist analyze like an engineer, and you are half-way
there.
***
Posted: Di - März 30, 2004 at 05:40 vorm.