Thinking of designing?

It is my understanding, if one wishes to truly make a difference to designs and innovatively create solutions with them, it is a necessity to get into the ‘world’ of the product. I love redesigning, anything in fact. What I most have a passion for is questioning design concept potentials. 

On many occasions I have been asked to design products smaller, cheaper, lighter, or decrease the number of manufacturing processes, but until I truly get myself into the mentality of a design then it won’t happen.

Yes I am talking about ‘using’ the objects that you feel, your family feels, your friends feel that could be changed somewhat to make them easier to use, or cheaper to manufacture, which subsequently means a cheaper purchase for the end user (theoretically).

Buy the targeted product. Use it. Let others use it. Make notes on its functionality, cost weight – all the factors related to product development. Once you have immersed yourself into the world of it, only then you can begin to understand what or how it can be modified – ‘if’ it can be modified.

Next is my favorite part, and of course the clever part - coming up with any, many, silly, rough designs as possible. All designs are welcome in my book. I have been assured many times it is often the most basic, amusing, silliest designs that are often the best ones, or the ones that provides the most inspiration for entrant designs to progress through the many stages of sketching, computerizing, prototyping, and manufacturing.

I believe the length of time to produce a product from concept to shelf is not always appreciated. Whether it is designing packaging, a stage for a music concert, or an everyday product (all of which I have been a part of), an integral time management structure must be maintained throughout the ‘creation’ of the product in question.

On a personal note, I am most innovative when I am in a motivated positive mental state. So I joined a tennis club and played lots of tennis meeting many inspirational people who gave me lots of ideas to look into the redesign of a few products. I played so much tennis in-fact, I had no time to fit in designing or creating. It only took a slight arm injury to give me the time to write and design. Which is a perfect example leading me to time management.

As with my tennis schedule, life and also applying to the start of projects, it is essential to be aware of the time restraints they will entail. I have been brought up, in my design career, to use Gantt Charts to effectively manage the projects’ lifespan, whether it is a sole design, redesign, consultation, these will all take different time spans – this is the only guarantee. Without this incorporated within your projects, then anything could happen, at any time, and you need to be like the Cubs - prepared.

Useful tips for Gantt Charts and other project scheduling advice I have found are very in-depth from the teachings of Mind Tools - http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_03.htm

The more experience you gain, the more you will understand what is required in projects regarding time management and know the approximations of each task within the project. This is another guarantee.

If you just stop for a few moments and think. Everything could be redesigned. Whether it will drastically change the function, or enable easier operation of the product, one way or another it can be done. You must get yourself into the correct frame of mind to be most effective. The more effective you are with the end result, the more enjoyment you will experience from the magic of creating something from something.