The Design Process: Behind the Scenes

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

When you mention the term ‘designer’, an image often comes to mind. Many would think of creative individuals with fancy and trendy clothes, a cup of coffee in one hand, deeply buried in a messy studio, doing eccentric things to get inspired. 

While this image of designers may not be entirely wrong, what a designer does may sometimes be misunderstood. Let’s take a look at what designers do and what you can do with a design degree.

What does a designer do?

Designers are often mistaken as people who decorate and make fancy items. On the contrary, a designer instead looks to solve the problems we face through the use of creative solutions. 

These creative solutions, which may take the form of a designed item, are the result of an extensive process the designers would go through, from understanding the problem to fine-tuning the solution. 

The function of a designer varies depending on the company, but common tasks include:

• Keeping up with industry trends to stay ahead of the competition.
• Generating consistent high-quality visual work. 
• Developing a large number of ideas.
• Fostering innovation and encouraging people to express their thoughts.
• Creating project direction and directing team members.

What is the design process?