The Creative Process

The creative process is a series of steps repeated every time something is designed.
Why is this process necessary?

• Improves consistency
• Ability to plan and time your work
• Raises the quality of your work
• Communicates more effectively and in a more professional way

What are the steps?

• Research: Find what else is out there, inspiration, background information on your subject or message, audience. Books, magazines, online, everywhere.
  
• Brainstorm and Inspiration: Who is my client? What message am I trying to communicate? What am I trying to tell my audience? What kind of colors or styles will work for this audience? Come up with adjectives that will describe your message and your piece. Find pieces that inspire you and have pieces that you like and may want to include in your design.
  
• Sketch: Create thumbnails to quickly record thoughts and ideas - placement, colors, typefaces, images.
  
• Execute: Combine type and imagery into a well developed composition. Use design principles, visual organization guidelines, different techniques and options. Don't try to force an idea.
  
• Critique and Revise: Take a step back and look at the design objectively. Have someone else look at the image. Tweak the design if something isn't working.