DESIGN INQUIRY THROUGH MAKING
Year: 2018
Editor: Elies Dekoninck, Andrew Wodehouse, Chris Snider, Georgi Georgiev, Gaetano Cascini
Author: Sandra Gabriele
Series: ICDC
Section: PROTOTYPING FOR CREATIVITY
Page(s): 362-368
ISBN: 9781912254071
Abstract
The graphic design process, from the initial brief to conceptualization to final artifacts, is a fluid series of activities where the designer alternates between action and reflection. Making “things” is central to the process of designing, and thus production of artifacts early on allows the designer to realize preliminary thoughts or ideas well before they are fully developed. Given its ties to professional practice, graphic design education (especially at the undergraduate level) often emphasizes competencies and skills for success in the profession rather than developing conceptual or open-ended approaches. I argue that the skills acquired through making and a more open investigation prepares students for the complexities of applied or problem-based work because it encourages creative and critical thinking skills and novel results. In this paper, I present an assignment that helps students develop topics for graphic design inquiry through making.
Keywords: graphic design inquiry, research through making, design process