Design Method, The: A Philosophy and Process for Functional Visual Communication(Voices That Matter)

Feeling uninspired? That shouldn’t keep you from creating great design work. Design is not about luck, inspiration, or personal expression. Design is a disciplined pursuit aimed at producing sensible, functional work for clients. In The Design Method, you’ll learn how to create quality design work on a regular basis that consistently pleases your clients using the same method that Creative Director Eric Karjaluoto uses at his creative agency, smashLAB. The Design Method will teach you a proven, repeatable process for solving visual communication problems. In this book, you will learn: Ways to conduct research and gain insight into your clients’ situations A process for establishing strategies and plans for your projects How to develop a cohesive concept and visual direction for each client/job An iterative approach to prototype, test, refine, and produce effective design Techniques for presenting and documenting creative work Tips for making your design studio operate efficiently and consistently

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. Debunking the Creative Myths 2. Creating Purposeful Design 3. Achieving Order Through Systems 4. Introducing The Design Method 5. Gaining Understanding: The Discovery Stage 6. Determining Course: The Planning Stage 7. Working with Ideas: The Creative Stage 8. Making Design Real: The Application Stage 9. Presenting Work to Clients 10. Bringing Order to Your Practice

About the Author :
Eric Karjaluoto is creative director and a founding partner of the creative agency smashLAB. Since 2000, he has helped a broad range of clients including The Vancouver Aquarium, the University of Minnesota, and The Nature Conservancy with their strategic, design, and communication challenges. Eric wrote Speak Human (Outmarket the Big Guys by Getting Personal), and he writes regularly about design at erickarjaluoto.com.

Review :
“Everyone likes to complain about design, but almost no one is leading, teaching, and talking about how to do it better. Thanks, Eric, for giving us a book we can share with those that need it—us!” —Seth Godin, Author of  The Icarus Deception “Eric Karjaluoto doesn’t think this book is for everyone, and boy is he wrong. This book is for every designer on the planet.  The Design Method is proof positive that it is possible to make timeless, beautiful design that actually succeeds in the marketplace. If you’ve ever had your work rejected by a client (and who hasn’t), this book is for you.” —Debbie Millman, President Design, Sterling Brands “Designers often get confused with artists. Designers, however, are not paid to communicate their issues but to solve other people’s problems. We are professionals and we have clients. For them we visualize ideas, processes, messages, and products. Working within constraints means that we cannot wait for that moment of divine inspiration. It means employing methods to keep us on track by making our thought process transparent to our clients and our peers. When kids ask me for the three most important things to do, I tell them: 1) Learn; 2) Learn; 3) Learn. And in that order. Start by reading this book.” —Erik Spiekermann, Partner, Edenspiekermann “Clearly, Eric hates everything I stand for, but you should still buy his excellent book. No matter your motives and aspirations, he offers a strong, useful method that will make you a better designer.”