The design process is not something that is simple and easy to understand. There are numerous different models and process to follow but evidently they all end up some what the same. The design process involves steps, steps that require thinking, time, effort and determination. As Schon’s Reflection-in-Action, or Beckman’s integration of the learning process and design demonstrate, the various steps undertaken can change from designer to designer just as it is again different in the d.Studio Ask-Try-Do process.
When I come across complex ideas that are not easy to understand, I find myself breaking down the idea into smaller components a young child could understand. This method forces me to drill down on what are the key parts and stating them in a simplistic way. In regards to understand the design process, I used this method and found though a web search, a design process model targeted towards children.
It is a online interactive website by PBSkids called DESIGN SQUAD. They walk you through the design process in action, breaking down the steps into understandable and easily relatable with Do it yourself projects and videos are embedded in each step along the way.
The steps that they follow are to [1] Identify Problem, [2] Brainstorm, [3] Design, [4] BUILD – TEST & EVALUATE – REDESIGN, [5] Share Solution.
Finding additional resources that help support my learnings tend to make things “click” for me and really helps me to gain that understanding. Using the learnings about design process, we have gone through quite a few exercises in class that require us to use this idea. When the process was still new to me, I found it dfficult to remember to individual steps, however now that we’ve used the process in all our projects, i’m feeling a lot confident.
I especially like the DESIGN SQUAD method of teaching the Design process through a very interactive medium to reach a vast number of people. I agree with Beckman’s idea of design process being interactive as I think that the design process is all about getting involved in the action and the great online website helps with just that!
By using either the ASK-TRY-DO or Identify Problem – Brainstorm – Design – (BUILD – TEST & EVALUATE – REDESIGN) – Share Solution methods, it is important for designers to have flexibility as things are constantly changing and are many ways of walking through the design process. Breaking the process down into simple understandable steps has helped me understand this big concept of “design process” and has allowed me to expand my thinking methods and has helped me come up with some great ideas.
Reference:
The Design Process in Action
http://pbskids.org/designsquad/parentseducators/workshop/process_id.html