A recent conversation with a colleague, made me think about the plethora of approaches to design that I use as a designer. While, I have written about my design process in challenge reveal posts, they are fragmented to say the least. With this Design process methodology series, I hope to put together fashion’s approach to design and the approach that design applies to fashion with everything in between.
*This post is a summary of a lecture that I give my students who study Design methodology.
Process, methods and methodology
Process is a designed sequence of operations or naturally occurring set of events that lead to an outcome. It answers the “what to do” question. Following the steps of a process leads to an output or a finished item of jewellery. A method is a particular way of doing something. My method of finishing my coloured metal components for assembly may be very different from another designer. Method answers the “how to do” question. A methodology is a collection of methods or procedures.
Let me elaborate. While creating a new collection most of us would conduct a market research. We would use observational skills, polls and surveys to determine if a want or need exists for the collection that we are development. Here,Research is an approach that enables us to design. Each type of market research is a method with its own set of processes.
What do I mean by Design process methodology?
Design process is a set of steps or actions that one carries out to create a design or a solution. These processes depend on whether the designer is creating a product based on a client’s brief, as a solution to an existing problem or a manifestation of creativity that may or may not have a real-world application. Therefore, there are several methods and methodologies to design a product. Design process methodology, in my opinion is a collection of steps, processes, approaches and methods to design. In this post I will list several such design approaches.
Inspiration based design
Commonly followed by the Fashion industry, Inspiration based design is straightforward. All of us apply it in jewellery challenges. ABS, Earrings Everyday or AJE challenges gives us an inspiration or a theme and we come up with a design. Each aspect of the design such as the colour, shape, form, size, material and even concept is based on the inspiration. However, it’s simplicity allows for a more nuanced approach as well.
Sensory design
Sensory design’s fundamental goal is to appeal to multiple senses at the same time. However, as a methodology, it can help in translating one sensory stimuli into another through voluntary synesthesia. This can allow you to create unique and original designs as no two interpretations will ever be the same. My sound to jewellery design development where I worked with the song “Vaseegara” is an example of the same.
Memory based design
Memory and jewellery are deeply interlinked both in terms of making and wearing. Memories associated with a piece can make it more special and add value to it. But that is not what I am discussing here. Memory based design is an approach that maps out an individual memories as words and visuals which can later be used to create jewellery. It requires the maker to look inwards, introspect, and mine their own experiences for inspiration. I coined this term in 2019 and been using it ever since to create contemporary art jewellery and narrative jewellery. Recently, I created art jewellery based on my memory of visiting the Pichavaram Mangrove forest using this method and wrote about it here.
Human Centered Design
In this approach, we focus on human beings – their needs, wants, hops and fears. Designs created must be desirable (to the human) before being feasible technology wise and a viable business opportunity. Here the solutions are tailored to the problems of the specific people whom you are working with. It is a “bottom-up” approach that synthesizes ideas. The design does not impose their idea rather collaborate and test their ideas with those whom they are designing for. Learn about the seven steps in the method in this video on Human Centered Design.
The counter approach to this design process methodology focuses on the ‘more than human world’ or ‘beyond human world.’ This is increasingly used by environmentalists, futurists and activists who want to promote a more equitable way of life.
Design Thinking
I remember reading a quote that said “If you have a problem, design has a solution.” Design thinking as an approach can be used to solve everyday problems as wicked as they may be. In the jewellery sector, design thinking is predominately applied in the realm of wearables or Technology driven jewellery. Whether it is the emergency alert bracelet by Invisawear or photoframe pendants that play your favourite pictures, they all have Design thinking involved in it. Popularised by IDEO, Design thinking typically follows a human centered approach.
Systems Thinking
People and product do not exist in isolation. There are both internal and external factors that impact brands and products. Therefore, even a product that is the result of design thinking must be analysed from the point of view of a system. If you want to see a big(ger) picture then systems thinking is for you. This is particularly useful to jewellery business owners and managers who are looking for both profit an sustainability.
Universal Design
Universal design is about creating products and services that can be accessed by all people regardless of their disabilities, age, gender and special needs. It is human-centric as well but rather than focussing on one particular segment or group of people it accommodates people with a wide range of abilities and preferences. The methodology is based on seven principles which include equitable use. Here is an easy to understand video that discusses Universal Design.
To summarise, there are several approaches to design. What I have listed here is not an exhaustive list. It is a collections of methodologies that I both teach and follow as a design practitioner. Regardless of which approach you take remember to discover, define, develop, deliver, accept and incorporate feedback. Please do share your thoughts on these seven design process methodology approaches mentioned here.
Check out the other posts in this series
I hope you found it interesting
Cheers
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