Each design process has its own individual story to tell. However, every design is based on systematisation.
A42 is my way of creating a story.
Any process consists of:
1) Moodboard and sketches.
2) Variations of the subject.
3) Iterations
4) Finalisation
5) Documentation
6) Result
Step 1 - Moodboard
A mood board is a visual collage that captures the overall style, tone, and inspiration for a project. It includes images, colors, textures, and text to convey the desired mood and aesthetic direction. Used early in the creative process, it helps align the team's vision.
Sketches are quick, hand-drawn illustrations that explore and refine ideas. They range from rough doodles to detailed drawings, representing layouts, designs, or specific elements. Sketches allow for rapid experimentation and serve as a foundation before developing more polished versions in the design process.
Step 2 - Variations
In the next stage Variations, different options are created to realise the ideas. This is the basic framework for the starting selection. After that, the detailed elaboration of each selected option is considered.
Step 3 - Iterations
The iteration of the process is to gradually cut the rough nugget and consider its variations in shape, colour, thickness and any other parameter. This is the most important process for the final selection. Iteration can take place in several stages, depending on the complexity of the task.
Step 4 - Finalization
Finalisation is the last stage of summarising, choosing the best of the best and painstakingly working with the unseen details. Reconciling pixels, fixing imperfections, making it look good. However, finalisation is very close to iteration and at this stage the right answer is often found.
Step 5 - Documentation
Documentation is the last summary of the final result, containing important information about the item. This can be the raster, typography, size, shape, colour, animation and other attribute that was used in the context of the design.
Step 6 - Result
The result is an item for presentation to the client, final use or publication in a design system for future work with it.
Design Systems