Managing the design process (stages, communication, time management, budgets)

Managing the Design Process

Understand that the design process is an iterative cycle of exploring, creating, reviewing, and refining.
Familiarise yourself with various stages of design, such as research, ideation, sketching, prototyping, refining, and implementation.
Each stage serves an essential function and contributes valuable insights to create a well-informed design solution.
Recognise the need for adaptability and be prepared to revisit stages multiple times as you refine the solution based on feedback or new information.

Effective Communication

Clear communication establishes a smooth pathway of exchanging ideas, receiving input, and discussing problems or changes.
All main points discussed and important decisions made need to be documented for future reference and to avoid misunderstandings.
A follow-up after meetings or discussions confirms mutual understanding and allows for any clarifications or additions.
Be aware of your communication tone, avoiding jargon, and ensuring the language used is accessible for the client.

Time Management

The design timeline should be realistic taking into account different stages and potential revisions.
Setting milestones can help track progress and signal any deviations from the plan, giving an opportunity for time adjustments.
Regularly assess how much time is spent on each task to locate any inefficiencies or areas where more time could be beneficial.
Be mindful of deadlines, always aim to complete the project in a timely manner but allow for unexpected delays.

Budgeting

A clear understanding of costs, overheads, and how time is billed is required to develop an accurate design budget.
Be conscious of the client’s financial constraints and aim to propose a solution that fits within their budget while satisfying the brief.
Any changes proposed that might impact the budget should be brought up in discussion with the client as soon as possible to manage expectations.
Useful to track expenditure during the design process to ensure the project is maintained within budget and to avoid any surprises at the project’s conclusion.