WHAT?
Design is omni-present. It cannot be escaped. Everywhere you look, every object you see, every book you read, every billboard in your line of sight, advertisements in magazines, newspapers and on TV, every article of clothing in your wardrobe, the plates you eat from and even the bed you sleep in – all are the result of a design process.
HOW?
The design process begins with a core idea – what are we making, what purpose does it serve, to whom is it directed or being sold? From there, the idea is refined into a solid concept – what is the general look and feel of the object or piece? Will it be a high-end product or a dollar-store item? Next, artistic renderings give the idea visual form – sketches and/or digital images are developed, various visual representations are explored. Once a graphic direction has been chosen, the visual is further refined until a final design is produced. From there, the object or piece is taken through a production process, whether it be printing for business cards or brochures or manufacturing of a cell phone or pair of shoes.
WHERE?
Design encompasses a number of specific disciplines which produce our entire visual environment:
Graphic design – product packaging, advertising, brochures, signage, business cards, banners, etc.
Industrial design – products of all shapes and sizes – cell phones, appliances, furniture, automobiles
Fashion design – clothing, shoes, handbags, hats, accessories
Architecture – houses, structures and buildings
Interior design – selection of the objects that determine the look and feel of the interior of a room or building including: wall materials, paint colors, fixtures, furniture, artwork, draperies and decorative items
