Author: H3jj383jsflkjwe

When we take time to think of this quote we realize how relevant it is. Design within itself takes a lot of time, precision, revision, and risk. We take risks as designers because it allows us to try something new as well as puts us out of our comfort zone. It forces us to try solutions to the problem that we never necessarily tried before and from that allows us to foster creativity. By pushing the boundaries of where design can go we are learning growing and improving every day.

Coming from a perfectionist risk are extremely hard to take. Often within design we have a tendency to experiment with visuals but, when it comes to the format of the design itself we tend to play it very safe. With the up most honesty I find playing it safe always to be a smart decision. Standard innovation allows for a good final product but what about a creative inovative final product. It’s risky but at the end of the day these are the types of designs that are memorable to consumers / viewers. Risk makes our work more innovative, creative, cool looking, and most importantly more memorable.

Some Ways to Take Risk in Design

• Explore unconventional aesthetics
• Try out new materials, tech, and softwares
• Embrace prototyping and making in depth mock ups
• Test your work with real potential users
• Be open to failure and the process of learning
• ALWAYS actively seek feedback

A quote that stuck with me from Frank Chimero’s book The Shape of Design is “Design’s connective role is meant to support the movement of value from one place to another for a full exchange. It means that the products of design are not autonomous objects, but are creations that bridge in-between spaces to provide a way toward an intended outcome”. This quote stuck with me because he is 100% right. When we pay attention to what designers do we can see that they are the middlemen of anything product or service based. The beginning is the client’s idea and the end is the final product but the middle is where all the hard work happens. The job of the designers is to listen to a client’s needs and from there start their research. After research designers go into the process of sketching and mockups and after all final ideas are approved and look good from a consumer perspective designers finally work extensively on a final product that with fingers crossed will end up looking excellent. It could be a physical project or something online but all designers go through this process.

Another thing that stuck with me in Frank Chimero’s Book The Shape of Design was his views of Constraints. Sometimes in design particularly within user experience we can see constraints sometimes as a nuisance. they can sometimes be restriction from various possibility but the truth is there extremely helpful. constrains help narrow down possibility and direct your audience to the main focus / purpose of your design. Constraints are opportunities for innovation it allows to see the intent of the particular design we are seeing and also promotes creativity within good boundaries.

In all honesty, sometimes when reading books my attention span these days is so short that my mind drifts off into 20 thousand different places. For this exact reason, this is why I can appreciate books like The Shape of Design by Franck Chimero because it’s those eye-catching quotes that force you to take a moment and think. One quote that caught my attention so far is “Design gains value as it moves from hand to hand; context to context; need to need. If all of this movement harmonizes, the work gains a life of its own, and turns into a shared experience that enhances life and inches the world closer to its full potential”. I know this is from the introduction but it genuinely has a ton of meeting to it. Our work gets better as people test it, as others experiment with it, and as people see what value the design you created adds to their lives. It’s what makes you reevaluate your work and take criticism so that after a long time of working, your design can finally reach its full potential. The cycle of design and evaluation is a mantra that designers have lived by for decades and will continue to for as long as design is a thing.

Another thing that stuck with me in the book The Shape of Design By Frank Chimero is the concept of embracing uncertainty. Often uncertainty leaves designers a little anxious and annoyed and what’s potentially next to come but when embracing uncertainty you are comfortable with not knowing all the answers. One thing is for sure as a designer your goal should always be to know as much as possible on a subject, product, or service your designing or advertising but sometimes things are just left out of your hands. From realizing this is ok and being open to trying various ideas that don’t make sense allows yourself to be free as well as allow your self to make new discoveries. The process of discovery is part of the magic of design. It allows you as a designer to take risk, experiment, and ultimately to try new things. So in conclusion be open and let loose a little.

There happens to be an abundance of literature about design but none really quite like the Shape of Design by Frank Chimero. This is a book that relates back to the origins of design and really dives into the concepts of how design is tied together. Not to mention it explores an emotional, philosophical perspective on design as a whole. One thing we need to keep in mind as designers is how our designs gain value. Our work gains value through the hands that are touching it, the context we gain from it, and how it fulfills people’s needs. In the words of Frank Chimero always ask yourself “Does this help us to live well” and if the answer is no, reevaluate what you’re doing because design has purpose. Although I was mostly grazing through the book I will have to say there were many quotes that caught my eye and made me think about my own work and with that I was left wondering how I could take Mister Chimero’s advice and show my portfolio a little more love.

One thing I will be taking from the book The Shape of Design By Frank Chimero is his advise on the creative process. The creative process within its self is interpreted in a few way but in average is seen as a straight line or a very linear process. But Frank interpreted this process way differently. The design process is messy. You start off with research then sketch then go back to research and sketch some more then move forward with mock ups and then sketch some more and after multiple critiques maybe you’ll finally move forward with the rest of the creative process. Also not to mention if your designing for a client this makes the process 10 times harder, your keeping into account what you client wants, what you want, and on top of all of that user experience. Sometimes you want to be innovative and creative but other people who are part of the process end up holding you back. This is reality for the creative process. It’s not one step, then the next, then the next. It’s an abundance of twists turns and evaluation and going back and revising all in the goal of eventually moving forward. As chaotic as this process is certainly one to behold and us designers wouldn’t change it for the world.