The Design Process – Stage 2: Identification

In stage two, Aspelund goes into great detail that designers’ main concerns should be problem solving, making decisions, and how to recognize and work with constraints. By being in this class, I have already learned that the main aspect of a designer is being able to come up with solutions to problems. The problem could be simple or complex, but still, it is the designer’s job to be able to solve the problem and be able to explain the solution. Communication is very important to a designer. This is because, when a designer works with a client, the client will not always be there to see the process on a day by day basis. So it is the designer’s job to keep the client involved and informed on a regular basis of what is happening with the project. The reason the designer was hired by the client is because the client has expectations and believes in the designer to execute their expectations. So if there are going to be changes to the project, there are going to be times when certain decisions will need to be made. For example, the first idea doesn’t seem to pan out, but there is another way to go forward, the designer has to be able to clearly communicate this to their client so that their client continues to be satisfied and will still be happy with the end result.

When working on a project, there are always going to be constraints. These constraints should first be looked at the start of each project. There are three areas in which constraints are determined by the needs and/or desires of the end user, designer and fabricator. Aspelund has an image of a mind map, or as it is called in the textbook, a concept map on these three constraints.

Within the designer’s constraints, are a series of other major constraints: information, time, materials, and budgets. A designer must be able to clearly identify these sub-constraints from the beginning of a project. I believe that the most important one is time management. Time on a project needs to be clearly mapped out so that there is enough time allotted per day on each task that needs to get completed. With the time management, other things also need to be factored in like daily distractions with phone calls, breaks, lunch time, and meetings with clients. Its also a good idea to make sure that the project is completed a day before the presentation day. Just in case there could be minor to last minute details to work on. The second most important constraint I would say is budgets. Once you have a budget, you can determine what types of materials you can or can’t use. Then lastly would be information. This would be the time to do your research on the project and the time to make several plans on the direction you want to take with the project. This is the time make decisions and to be sure that when you are communicating with the client, the information you provide is very clear and that the client fully understands what steps you are taking during the development of the project.

Other constraints can be unexpected. So always expect the unexpected because per Murphy’s Law, “Anything that can go wrong will” (Aspelund 51). If we keep in mind that unexpected things can occur and that things can go wrong, then we can try to reduce or even eliminate those problems.

Another good point that Aspelund brings up is sustainability. Aspelund goes to say, “To design for sustainability means to reject the notion that we can take what we think we need from Earth and its ecosystems without regard for future inhabitants” (Aspelund 57). “We must design products that are reused, recycled, or biodegradable at the end of their life-cycle” (Aspelund 59). Designers should take the initiative and really think about the materials they are using for their projects. In being the creator of a new product, they are also being conservative in using resources efficiently and effectively.

Aspelund, Karl. The Design Process. Second Edition. New York: Fairchild Books, 2010. 51, 57, 59. Print.