How Do You Design?

[morganlh85]

I know it's against the "rules" but I start working on the computer right away. Usually if I start drawing I can't get my ideas down how I'm envisioning them since I think in terms of computer programs, then when I come back to the drawing later I can't remember what exactly I was thinking of doing with that. If I do draw it's just the basic layout and then I work on the computer. I also look at logos for competitors, if applicable, to make sure I'm matching the feel of the industry, not looking too similar to other companies, and making something that stands out from the crowd.

[LoriL1212]

I usually go through my "flower photo collection" and pick a pic that has the colors I feel best represent the subject. Then, I open Photoshop, make a color pallette from the colors in the pic, and just go with the flow.

[Cloetick]

i do pretty much the same as others

although it depends on the type of procject, but i tend to

1.start with a sketch - idea, try to picture it

2. open up photoshop and get it done, go through a couple revisions before i approve it.

3. start out with dreamweaver, create basic layout then i port to notepad where i work on xhtml compatability, and css compatability.

4.whatever happens afterwards.

[ABC123]

I usually make a quick sketch of an idea I have for something, then I open up photoshop or illustrator and create it. If I have a really clear idea of what I want to do, I just go straight into photoshop or illustrator

[BrianWakeland]

I do hand sketches just to avoid forgetting my idea (for a site layout, mostly). If I had a wacom, I could jump this step and start drawing on the computer thingy.

[pentool]

A good book on the subject is "Illustrator Illuminated". It features illustrators, what they specialize in, how they work, how they approach to solving a design issue, and finally, they feature a real project step by step, how did they complete it. It's nice to see that not all commercial illustrators start sketching and/or create thumbnails (which I hate). Cuz even they work differently.

[QuirkDesign]

I almost always start with pencil and paper. I use layout bond paper, which is similar to tracing paper but has a nicer feel to it. I keep going through sketches until I'm happy with it, using the layout bond to trace over parts I like from the previous sketch. Then I ink it with a Micron and a Sharpie and scan it. Then sometimes I clean it up in Photoshop and then use Adobe Streamline to create a vector image and then I use Illustrator to adjust the points where necessary, or sometimes I skip Streamline and go straight to Illustrator and place each point by hand. That's how I do logos, anyway.

[sushi]

I first sudy the concept that my designs need to give.
Who look at that graphic ?
Who are the company customers or user ?

I start then making some draft with a pencil.

Then i start working on the graphic elements.
Quickly i test a composition of visual architecture with photoshop.
I print this draft.
Pancil again, on top of the draft.

Then the work become serious.

Flash,Photoshop,Fireworks,Dreamweaver for web design
Flash, Illustrator and Photoshop for graphics only.

[sushi]

To QuirkDesign ...
What is exactly Adobe Streamline. Is it useful to create vectors images from raster images ?

[aceedesign]

Depends on the project..
Sometimes ideas are organic and you can jump right on the computer other times you have to wrestle with a pencil and paper to get the idea out... The bottom line is the design will be garbage no matter how good it looks if the concept behind it is no good...

[IntuitDesign]

Qbee — great forum question! There will probably be replies to this forever!

1) Depends on what I designing.
2) If I need to design an ad for an envelope company for instance, (how boring would THAT seem right?) however, I'll never forget what was said in a seminar by Bob Gill in San Diego about designing. The name of his seminar was "Now That Everything's Different, Nothing's Changed." Basically, he was talking about how lots of designers are letting the limits of the computer and software limit their imagination. Flashy, techno, marvously designed things are great, but what we are, are communication problem-solvers. That's what we do. A client needs something communicated (in an aesthetic way).
He said a great method is to (going back to the envelope company) is to take one of their envelopes and just stare at it. Really look at it, until it has something interesting to say. Then convey that message in an aesthetic way. So what I do is really ponder over what my client is trying to say, what their product says to me, and how the client wants to be seen in the public's eye. All of these elements are carefully looked at. Makes for a much more effective solution, than just "letting go" with my computer and software, everytime.


peace
jc

[Inertia]

I've attempted the pen and paper approach, but it really doesn't work for me, my hands don't work as quick as my mind does and I got mixed up between by what I've thought and what I'm thinking.

Most important action > Force my laptop into a fit by opening Photoshop, Illustrator and then let what comes, come. For a Logo I usually start off with the typeface and work around it. Websites there's more of a thought process considering the theme.

[br1an23]

unsleepy moments in my bed give me ideas...
so... put the pencil in my hand.. start putting it on the paper..
oulah...
tomorrow.. i got the electronic copy of it.

[dajma]

I start researching what I need to do before I start designing. I then write down all my ideas on a piece of paper and then i just start designing whatever comes in my head

[kosta]

I bring the brief to boring classes and just mess around with pen & paper. Then I digitalize it (often turns out to be something completely different).

As for websites, I used to start in DW, but now I use PS for layout design, and then make it from scratch in html.

Some nice methods mentioned... good thread idea.

Regards,
Kosta

[artistsneverdie]

Seems as though my techniques are the prety much the same as Kostas, except if I know an idea is definitely goin to work in my head then I don't sketch it.

My first port of call is usually turning the computer off and going for a skate, read some books/ etc. Helps to free the mind.

Half the time my sketches look nothing like the finished product anyway, i usually only sketch to make sure I don't forget what I'm doing.

[eapdesign]

I do similar things to most of you - sometimes i have to struggle with an idea on paper before I can even touch a computer because then i just end up pushing things around and not being productive.

it really does depend on the project but i really like to get the juices flowing by answering a few questions about what the design is supposed to be, who is it for, what it's purpose is (similar to sushi). depending on what i am doing, i like to do a bit of research so i can come up with a few grounded concepts. then i sketch, then to the computer.

i usually need music on also, it really relaxes the atmosphere.

~Liz

[Nubs]

Something I've been wondering about.. how do other people start designing?

Do you take a piece of paper and let the pencil fly over it, creating something amazing or do you launch a graphics program right away.. Or maybe you just take notepad and start typing html or whatever..

As for me, I start by drawing the idea on paper, then in a program.. usually there's loads of difference between those versions already. And the last bit is slicing and notepad of course!

Same here. Since I am started getting interested in graphics design after I already into traditional art... I still feel more comfortable sketching out my ideas. Sometimes I get inspired and go directly into photoshop and have some fun. Sometimes I look at other great sites to get inspiration and get my own unique ideas. It all depends on my mood.

[Dan Pastia]

Since I'm not good at hand drawing I use this to clarify if any idea have potential for future development into project.

With me all begins by finding "The Word(s)" that symbolize most about the theme. After that I start translating “The Word” into graphics.

[Freakz]

I usually check-out the background and description of what I'm going to be designing for the client and get a good feel of what's going on. Then I just open Fireworks MX 2004, occassionaly using Flash and Freehand to help out, and create. I don't see a need to sketch anything out on paper before hand - I can sketch out my ideas quicker in Fireworks then I can with paper (plus my handwriting is horrible)