Basics Graphic Design 02: Design Research: Investigation for successful creative solutions

by Neil Leonard, Gavin Ambrose

Overview

Design Research shows readers how to choose the best method of research in order to save time and get the right results.The book makes readers aware of all the different research methods, as well as how to carry out the most appropriate research for their graphic design projects. All stages of the research process are considered in a dynamic and entertaining style, covering audience, context, trends, sources, documentation, dissemination and more.

Students and designers can benefit from this text by learning fresh ways to analyse information obtained by data gathering, and how best to test and prove decisions. The resulting, well-rounded solutions will be informed, innovative, and aesthetically fitting for the brief.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350034105
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	07/13/2017
Series:	Basics Graphic Design
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	82 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Neil Leonard is a designer and educator. He is a graduate of the London College of Communication and is currently lecturing on the BA in Visual Communication at the Arts University College at Bournemouth, UK.
Gavin Ambrose is a practising graphic designer whose client base includes the art sector, galleries, publishers and advertising agencies. He has written and designed several books on graphic design, branding and packaging.
Neil Leonard is Associate Head of Department, Design Communication at the University of the West of England. He was formerly Programme Leader for Graphic Design at Plymouth College of Art, UK. He is the founder of Design Your Career and runs bespoke conferences and workshops for emerging designers about building their careers and businesses.



As a freelancer he has worked with a number of private clients and design agencies on projects that include branding, publishing, web design, and advertising.. As an educator, he has worked on employability initiatives that have involved working closely with industry to ensure students have a wide array of opportunities awaiting them upon graduation.
Gavin Ambrose is an author, educator and practicing graphic designer whose client base includes the art sector, galleries, publishers and advertising agencies. He has written and designed numerous books on graphic design, branding and packaging.

He currently teaches the Graphic Design BA at the University of Brighton.

Table of Contents

Contents
Introduction

Chapter 1: The basics of research
Why research?
Getting started
Primary, secondary and tertiary
Key terminology
Studio interview - Emily Hale
Activity - Approaching research

Chapter 2: Understanding context
Audience and social contexts
Design contexts
Theoretical underpinning
Studio interview - Andrew Hussey
Activity - Convention

Chapter 3: Planning your work
The brief
Audience
Sources and credibility
Recording and documenting
Studio interview - Brian Rea
Activity - Audience

Chapter 4: Conducting research
Audience research
Market research
Field-based research
Process-based research
Studio interview - Jane Trustram
Activity - Product and customer

Chapter 5: Using your findings
Understanding your findings
Responding to your findings
Studio interview - Underware
Activity - Classification

Chapter 6: Presenting your findings
Presenting research
Completing the job
Studio interview - Tanner Christensen
Activity - Presenting statistics

Conclusion
Contacts
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Working with ethics

Editorial Reviews

In a climate where a certain six letter word search engine is fast becoming the one-stop hit for every research need, this book shows a breadth of techniques, opportunities, methodologies and suggestions that will open up your creative thinking in a way that no algorithm ever could. You don't need to hit a search button, you don't need to feel lucky. You need to read this book.” —Barrie Tullett, The Lincoln School of Art & Design, UK

“Design Research is an easy to follow, clearly written, student friendly guide on how to conduct research for practical projects. Although academic in content, the fact that there are direct links to professional practice throughout, gives the book a 'real world' authority. The inclusion of case studies, interviews and supporting imagery purposefully link the relevance of the content to the practice of being a designer. Carefully building in complexity as the book progresses, the importance, practice, methods, and key terminology of research are introduced in a measured way, ensuring the reader is not overwhelmed - students who do not value research as part of the design process will not only be engaged throughout, but they will be in no doubt of its importance after reading this book. In fact, Design Research doesn't just take the reader through a step-by-step guide to the research process, it also highlights plenty of everyday good practice along the way. In writing this book, Leonard and Ambrose have gone a long way in validating to students what they are taught on a day-to-day basis in lecture theatres and workshops - Design Research should therefore be on any contextual studies reading list as a result.” —Nigel Ball, Course Leader, School of Arts & Humanities, University Campus Suffolk, UK

From the Publisher