Design Methods and Practical Development

Developing Concepts

Brilliant ideas don't always come to you in a flash of inspiration. Finding the right idea can mean a drawn out process of research, teamwork and collaboration preferably with both the team and the client involved. Many people use notebooks or scrapbooks to help them remember ideas and develop concepts.

Usually the good ideas come, I would say, like a flash. Either you've got it first time round or you start from scratch. I think my good ideas are the first ones I have, but sometimes I'm just trying to re-work something. Tim Clark

The best thing a designer can do is use their eyes. You just make sure that when you see things that you really, really like you take them in and you make sure you use them and keep them in the back of your head for the future. Michael Ellott

A good indication that you have found an idea that works is when you are able to sum it up in one line - the pitch line. It is essential to be able to be able to sum up your idea in a few words. Inability to do this often means your idea needs further work. The best ideas are usually fairly simple and needn't take up more than a side or two of A4 paper.

We've sold shows before on three sides of paper and that's always the way we first go. Some formats don't need you to do anything else before you sell it. I think we sold Bar Wars pretty much as a proposal and it was because it's a fairly simple idea. David Flynn

Also remember that in multimedia creative ideas have to work technically so be aware of time and cost constraints when thinking the idea through. When embarking on the creative process, think about what it is you are trying to communicate.

Brainstorming can be an extremely effective method of generating ideas. If an idea you originally thought would work turns out to be unsuitable, most designers and producers will save it because although it may not be suitable for the particular project you are working on, it may suit something else later on.

Ideas are essentially invisible, so when coming up with them try to think conceptually as you will need to communicate your ideas to your client at a fairly early stage.

Everything and anything can give you inspiration. Your surroundings may trigger a reaction but you might not realise you have been inspired until later. Ideas can come from everywhere and at any time so use your eyes. A lot of designers also surround themselves with conceptual design and inspirational work to keep them motivated and on track. Often designers and developers create mood boards to give a feel for a certain product.

There are two ways of doing things. There's that flash of inspiration that we don't know where it comes from - it might not even be project specific. The other side of that is what you define as the slog and it's the process that you go through, then you come up with some ideas. Sometimes out of that you get a flash as well, but quite often you don't. Grant Campbell

Most clients like to feel that they are part of the creative process, but how this is defined in practice depends on the relationship between parties. However, the client ultimately needs to like and understand the idea before you can implement it, so whether it comes from them or from the designer or producer, good communication is the key to a good collaboration.