Starting with a design area
When working on a piece of design you must decide on which area of design interests you. Design areas include:
- graphic communication
- product design
- architectural and environmental design
- interior design
- jewellery
- textiles and fashion
Choosing a design area
Student artwork inspired by Alexander Calder
Decide on a design area which will motivate you and keep you interested throughout your project.
Consider the skills you will need so that the project will be challenging but something you are capable of doing well.
You should also decide on a suitable design problem or item which you would like to design.
Whatever design problem you choose, there are a number of key issues you will need to consider:
- target market
- source of inspiration
- style
- function
- materials
A spidergram can help you focus on key issues in your design problem. The example below shows how these issues might be considered when starting a costume design for Shakespeare's The Tempest.
More guides on this topic
- Responding to stimuli - AQA
- Analytical drawing - AQA
- Developing ideas - AQA
- Creating a design brief - AQA
- Experimenting with materials and techniques - AQA
- Recording and observing - AQA
- Annotating your work - AQA
- Analysing and evaluating - AQA
- Assessment objectives and presenting your work - AQA
- Externally set assessment - AQA