Design, the Process and the Management

Design can be simply defined as a strategic approach to create a plan or a resolution for the production of an object or a system. Formally; design has been described as the specification of an object, revealed by an agent, intended to achieve targets, in a particular environment, using a set of primitive components, satisfying a set of requirements, subject to constraints.



With such a broad definition, there could be no universal code or even a unifying institution for designers of all disciplines. This allowed various philosophies and approaches toward the subject to emerge and develop.

The person designing is called a "designer". A designer's sequence of activities performed to achieve a specific objective is called a "design process".

Design philosophies can be considered as the fundamental and essential guiding principles that dictate and determine how a designer approaches his/her practice. In other words, design philosophies lead to design goals and those goals more likely guide the design process.

The design process: It has been defined earlier as the sequence of activities performed by a designer to achieve an objective.

An approach to a design may rely on various methodologies among which are:

KISS: keep it simple and stupid, which strives to eliminate unnecessary complications.

IMTOWTDI: there is more than one way to do it, an approach that recommends multiple methods to do the same thing.

Interior Design: The Process

Brief:

Follows a systematic and coordinated methodologies; including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.

The 8 Phases Process

• Initial Consultation/Programming/Briefing

A good brief will be as detailed and project specific as possible. It will outline the client's requirements, needs and aspirations. It will setup a budget for works and the scale in which the project must be realized.

• Design Agreement

An agreement between the client and the designer is to be signed. The agreement indicates and outlines the scope of work, deliverables, milestones, time frame and project duration. It also refers to the design fee, terms of payment and other legitimate issues.

• Measurements/Survey

On-site measurements are taken with high accuracy and any required surveys occur.

• Identification of Key Requirements

Based on the client's briefing and the given space, the client's requirements and needs should be clearly identified and prioritized.

• Brainstorming and Design Concept

Reaching a tangible yet preliminary design concept; resolving related existing problems. Presenting a draft for an innovative, creative and yet functional blueprint.

Is a set of 2D/3D drawings, sample photographs and graphics that can easily, simply and successfully display a preliminary design solution resolving related existing problems. Presenting a draft for an innovative, creative and yet functional blueprint that also properly demonstrates an idea in a way that the client can understand, visualize and interact with.

• Design Development/Detailing

Drafting a package of working drawings/shop drawings where all technical details are properly clarified and illustrated. Detailed specifications for materials, finishes, colors, fixtures, fittings, furnishings, etc. are highlighted and documented.

• Visualization/Preview

A presentation of 3D rendered perspectives to visualize or preview in a photo-real quality the various design elements combined together before implementation phase. Also sample boards are submitted to select and approve materials, fittings, fabrics, etc. to be used latterly during the implementation and execution phase

• Budget/Estimate

Bill of quantities, estimated budget, cost analysis; cash flow control, etc. are calculated, filed and documented.

Design Management

Brief:

Is a business discipline that uses project management, design strategy and supply chain technology to control a creative process, support a culture of creativity and build a structure and an organization for design.

Objective:

The objective of design management is to develop and maintain a business environment in which an organization can achieve its strategies and mission goals by establishing and managing an efficient and effective system.

The discipline of design management overlaps with marketing management, operation management and strategic management. Basically design management plays three key roles: align design strategy with corporate strategy, managing quality of design outcome and enhancement of new methods of user experience.

Design management is reactive and responds to current business situation by using specific skills, tools, methods and techniques.

Design management requires design leadership to know where to go, and design leadership requires design management to know how to go there.

Design managers need to speak both the language of business and the language of design.

Interior Design Service:

Service design management deals with organizing people, infrastructure, communication and material components of a service in order to improve the quality of the service and to improve the interaction between the service provider and the customer in what is commonly known as the customer's experience.

To improve the customer's experience. The service should be well designed in order to remain competitive and attract more customers.