A series of tips to help with your next design brief.
As a designer, finding inspiration, ideas and techniques to complete a job is a well-balanced juggling act. But where do I start when it comes to designing a concept for a new job?
Determine the Brief
It is always best to be present during a brief with the client, because as a designer, one of our number of skills is to ‘read between the lines’. A client might want something in particular, but what they say and what they want can sometimes be two different things.
Listen to everything they say they want, take notes on important points during the brief. This will help you to determine what they really need. Ask questions like;
- How will you be using the design?
- Who is your market?
- Colour selections
- Font styles
- Graphic examples
I always like my clients to show me samples of designs they do like. Ask them to bring in some examples of work that appeals to them. This will also help you to read ‘between the lines’ of what they need.
Develop 3 Concepts
Whenever I design, I like to design 3 initial concepts;
- What a client wants
- What I want
- A mash between the client and my wants
9 times out of 10 they will choose option 2 or 3. It is our job as the designer to really determine what solution is best for the clients needs.
Find Your Inspiration
What a marvelous time we design in where tonnes of inspirational designs are at your fingertips. Google is a much dear friend of mine. I use Google often to discover many websites and images posted online to see what works, or doesn’t work.
Another great way to research for design inspirations is to collect bookmarks of your favourite inspirational websites related to design. I frequently visit smashingmagazine.com or inspiredology.com.
Also, I often visit stock websites as they are riddled with fantastic inspirational ideas that you can pull bits and bobs from to create your own unique design. Stock website, I find, are a great place to begin, but are not the complete answer. Design solutions cannot be brought straight out of a box. Every project is unique. My tip is to look but don’t buy.
Great websites I regularly visit for layout inspiration include but are not limited to are;
What are your favourite inspiration websites?
Creating the solution
So you found your inspiration, now to create your solutions. But you now find some things you want to achieve you have never tried to create before. Again you have a wonderful piece of technology right in front of you.
Finding Tutorials
Use Google to find tutorials on a particular effect you want to achieve in photoshop, illustrator or indesign. There is a particular group of websites called tutsplus.com that has plenty of tutorials available to view. Layersmagazine.com also has many tutorials for the Adobe Creative Suite.
Brushes, Textures, Actions and Fonts, Oh My!
Don’t be afraid to use a program you feel you don’t have the skills in using. There are many many website/blogs that list FREE downloads for brushes, textures, actions and so much more to help you achieve your desired results. Some of my favourite links include;
Showtime
You now have all to tools, elements and skills required to make those slamming designs from concept to completion. Now get out there, do your research and get designing.
