Week 2 Page 1: Steps
Steps in the Design Process
Before you dive straight into designing anything on the computer, it's essential to spend time thinking and analyzing a project first.
Here's a quick overview of a typical workflow designers might employ after they are contacted by a client. Of course, these might vary by client and situation. On the next few pages, we will review each of these steps in more detail.
Prior to meeting, do background research (research client's business, review current designs, look at competitors etc.)
Meet with the client and use a creative brief to communicate and take notes about design ideas and project requirements.
Talk about project goals and deliverables (project results).
Gather and analyze the content. Look at everything that needs to be included and decide how it might be organized.
Draw a organizational flowchart/storyboard for project to show structure and add notes about needed features.
Start the design process! Draw initial sketches for layouts or parts of layouts. Create a moodboard or style tile.
Develop some basic prototypes for clients.
Meet with the client to discuss progress and get feedback.
Develop a production timeline and set deadlines.
Assemble a production/development team (if necessary).
Produce and test the final design after client approval of initial design and prototypes.
Example of In-depth site planning
Click on the following link to view an example of in-depth site planning:
This site was developed by a team of SRJC web design students for a group project presentation. It is a great example of thorough planning (although perhaps rather dated now!). There is a design plan with clear goals and a detailed storyboard/flowchart for the site. Click on the navigation menu labels at the top... (Please note: most web designers would not build an entire site for planning a web site!)