What do designers do?

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

An Over Simplication
Designers create and provide creative solutions to
creative problems through the use of a systematic process.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Three Disciplines
In the Department of Industrial, Interior, and Visual Industrial Design (Product Design?) Interior Space Design (Interior Architecture?) Visual Communication Design (Graphic Design?)
Design 200: Introduction to Design Department of Design The Ohio State University

Communication Design at The Ohio State University, we focus on three (obvious) disciplines:

Industrial Design

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Industrial Designers Society of America

Industrial design is the professional service of creating
and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

What do they design?

Consumer Products

Appliances Personal Hygiene Tools Sporting Goods

Transportation Vehicles

Planes, trains, automobiles, buses, watercraft.

Design 200: Introduction to Design Department of Design The Ohio State University

What do they design?

Consumer Electronics

Stereo and video equipment. Computers and peripherals.

Medical

Diagnostic equipment. Treatment equipment.

Design 200: Introduction to Design Department of Design The Ohio State University

What do they design?

Exhibits & Displays

Trade shows and exhibitions.

Furniture

Office, home, institutional. Seating.

Footware Athletic.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Primary Considerations
Creation of new products vs. re-evaluation of existing
products.

Creating the look and feel of a product to communicate

the intended uses and functions. functioning product.

Selection of materials and processes to realize the

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Interior Space Design

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

American Society of Interior Designers

Interior design is the total creative solution for a
programmed interior. It encompasses the conceptual planning, aesthetic and technical solutions applied to achieve the desired result. A programmed interior is for a specific intended purpose or use of the built environment.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

First some clarication.

Architects

concerned more with load bearing structure, thinking

about the macro level and contextual, outside in aspects. Less of the human element. Interior Decorators

create environments highly specialized and tailored to

a specific user. Generally concerned with Residential applications.
Department of Design The Ohio State University Design 200: Introduction to Design

First some clarication.

Interior Space Designers

draw upon many areas of expertise to create complex,

functional, public environments that address the needs of large groups of users.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

What do they design?

Governmental & Institutional

Entertainment Venues. Corporate Offices. Libraries, Banks, Museums, etc...

Retail & Commercial

Brand Stores Point-of-Purchase Displays Trade show & Exhibition Displays

Design 200: Introduction to Design Department of Design The Ohio State University

What do they design?

Hospitality

Restaurants Hotels
Healthcare Facilities

Hospitals Clinics Doctors Offices

Design 200: Introduction to Design Department of Design The Ohio State University

Primary Considerations
Improving the quality of life in these spaces.

Enhance the function and quality of interior spaces. Increase productivity. Protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Visual Communication Design

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)

The disciplines represented in the profession range from
book and type design through the traditional communication design disciplines to the newer disciplines of interaction design, experience design and motion graphics.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

What do they design?

Print

Corporate Identities, Logos, Letterheads, Business Cards, Annual Reports, Brochures, Posters, etc... Package Design Layout Design for Books, Magazines, and other printed media. Photography & Illustration.
Design 200: Introduction to Design Department of Design The Ohio State University

What do they design?

Environmental Graphics

Way-finding & Signage Super Graphics

Multimedia

Web Design Animation and Time Based Media Interactive Media such as DVDs or Flash.
Typography and Type Design. (not just print)
Design 200: Introduction to Design Department of Design The Ohio State University

Primary Considerations
Inform, Educate, Persuade, and Entertain.

Translating a specific message from a client to a specific

audience using the visual language.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

VC for every designer.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Symbolism
Symbol

An abstracted message
that is more open to interpretation

Culturally learned

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Symbolism
Icon

Realistic representation of
an object

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Symbolism
Metaphor

Parallel created to make a

concept easier to grasp

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Typography
Manipulating letterforms and text to conform to a visual hierarchy.

Weights & Typefaces (bold, italic, font, etc...) Kerning Leading Grids, Columns, Groupings, etc...

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Typography
Serif vs. Sans Serif

Serif is easier for the reader in a large body of text. Tends to communicate a more traditional aesthetic. signs. Tends to communicate a more modern aesthetic.

Sans serif is quicker to scan for short headlines or

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Photography vs. Illustration

Photography

An image recorded by a

camera which contains great accuracy and fidelity of detail.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Photography vs. Illustration

Illustration

To clarify by use of

examples or creative representation.

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University

Visual Synthesis
The combining of separate
visual elements or ideas to form a coherent whole

Design 200: Introduction to Design

Department of Design The Ohio State University