Designing a product or service from inception to completion can be a daunting task. Adopting a careful problem solving approach however, does a lot to structure the thinking of the designer and enables easier idea generation. The example below illustrates how this can be done, with the classic vase serving as the subject matter.
A vase can either be functional (plant carrying), aesthetically attractive or unattractive (decorative) or symbolic. Usually, it is a combination of all three . With its basic form (see fig 1.) mirroring a blank canvas, its simplicity lends itself to design disruption, because you can take this object and contort and distort its form to create something distinctive.
Figure 1: Classic Vase Shape
Typically, a designer is presented with a brief. In this case, let’s say the brief simply says, “Draw a Vase”. How would a designer go about creating something functional, aesthetically and symbolically intriguing? Asking questions is always a good place to start:
- What is its intended use?
- Where is it going to be placed?
- What colour should it be?
- How big/small should it be?
- There are multiple shapes a vase can take. (Which would be most symbolic of its purpose?)
A vase, due to its simplicity, makes it an appropriate object for adopting variations to a classical style. The questions listed are just some of the things a designer would look at to determine what sort of vase to create, and how to go about doing so.
Asking questions is an integral approach to design or any other endeavour. You do so to gain understanding, and a foundation to build upon.
By: Tola Makanjuola