Have you ever done an arts and crafts class before? You might remember trying to create a caricature of something you liked or maybe a cool architectural design of sorts. Or maybe you just messed around and created an amalgam of sticks and glue. But no matter what you did, you made a design- an idea or concept that you thought of and tried to express it in reality. Designs are present in everything we see and use-from the skyscrapers in New York City to the forks in your house used to twirl spaghetti. The designing process can be used for just about anything, which begs the question:how exactly does one design something?
The first step is simple on paper. Why are you attempting to design something in the first place? Who are you doing it for? The design of something is almost wholly dependent on its purpose for existing. The majority of designs are for the benefit of people;backtrack to skyscrapers and forks. Designs like these make people’s lives more convenient and easier, whether it be by allowing more people to stay in the same area or enabling them to eat certain food without making a mess. When making a design for the betterment of a person or group of people, Stanford SASI Institute instructor Dr. Evans claims one should recognize, communicate with and validate the experiences of whoever the design is catered towards. In practice, that means dialogue with the target group of the design, open and friendly body language, showing appreciation for them meeting you, and validating their emotions about their experiences. Afterwards, both Dr.Evans and I strongly recommend asking questions about what they would like to see in a design for them and what they need most in it as well. Finally, create a mental idea of what the design would look like and how it would work.
Now that a design has been formulated, the next step would be to find a way to physically create it. In the Stanford SASI program, Dr.Evans explains that a good starting point would be to find physical household items that could be used in order to replicate a physical copy in real life. Things that match the shape or appearance of whatever design one has in mind. After creating a proto replica, you should research and find any other designs or methods that have been used for the same purpose of your designs. Take note of what they did well, poorly, and their limitations. Integrate any useful traits into your design and consider if their limitations apply to yours, and if they do, whether you have a practical way to overcome them. If you don’t, that’s just fine. There isn’t anything wrong with searching for a more achievable goal you want your design to accomplish, or going ten toes in and working with others who might have the resources or information you need in order to perfect your design. Assuming you have the cash or materials, start going through the process of physically creating your design. It is also possible that you can work with any people you have good rapport with in order to cut down on individual costs.
The design process can be described as a concept that truly separates “simple” from “easy”. The steps are rather basic on paper, but the requirements needed to move from step to step would stop quite a few people from actually creating a valid design. Despite that, the design process is a way of thinking that encourages creativity and curiosity. Anybody who aims to be a designer also aims to learn, think and interact with the world around them. And if everybody thought like that, Las Vegas would be a pretty incredible place to live in.
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