My Approach to Graphic Design

Fig. 1, Graphic Design – Gardner Mawdsley Print
http://www.gardnermawdsleyprint.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Graphic-Design.jpg

In my opinion, Graphic Design is random, unexpected and accidental. It all comes from the development process which is the most important phase, I’d say. During the process of development you discover something new while repeating all obvious things and testing something new. You play around and test to get something unique.

Fig. 2, Mind Map
http://www.mindtools.com/media/Diagrams/mindmap.jpg

For me, this process starts from idea generation. It’s normally a spider diagrams (Fig. 2) what we all used to do from the very start of being designers. I used to generate ideas using the same method, but I didn’t enjoy it as much, to be honest. I was struggling to get something unique out of it getting most obvious things on the page. It was upsetting and I didn’t enjoy the project at the first stage already.

Fig. 3, Graphic Design Basics – Idea Generation
http://media.bloomsbury.com/rep/bj/9782940411818.jpg

Recently I found an amazing book by Neil Leonard and Gavin Ambrose called Basics Graphic Design – Idea Generation. I think it’s a masterpiece! In this book they speak about basic principles of idea generation. Using their suggestions I started to use a different approach to my idea generation. First, I get down everything that comes in my head, even the most silly and obvious ideas. I use imagination in order to find associations to the words and phrases I got at first, this is giving me something different and less obvious. Then I repeat all this for about two times until I come up with something unique and interesting. At this stage I go back to the topic and see how I can apply my ideas to it. The result is fantastic! I have really improved my idea generation “tool” in my brain, and it’s so easy!

Fig. 4, Doodle Illustration
http://www.fubiz.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Doodles-Art4.jpeg

Good idea isn’t enough to produce a masterpiece, that’s why you have to think of visualizing your idea. I usually start with mood board as well as “visual dump” which is kind of same things. I just get down in my sketchbook all possible imagery, words, typography, drawings, annotate them, look and analyse. These “visual dumps” are influencing my visual imagination and help to design layouts and imagery.

Fig. 5, Idea Light Bulb
http://www.inclusive-solutions.com/images/lightbulb_idea%5B1%5D.jpg

Testing is the worst part for me, because I find it a bit too boring, because you sit there and try to get the design you are happy with and it is not so easy, because in most cases you do simple and boring crap. And this is a problem for me. I like to be safe and use simple layout which came in my mind, dropping out anything different. Nobody said that simplicity is bad, but I think I should go over this problem and start being more risk taking.

Fig. 6, Polishing your work
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/polishing-blog.jpg

The last stage for me, as for all the designers, is when you polish your final piece. Even a small change can make a massive difference in your work, and that’s been proven to me while I was doing my work experience in a print company. The success has three stages: good idea, range of tests and final piece!

References:

Leonard, N. and Ambrose G. (2012) Graphic Design Basics – Idea Generation. AVA Publishing