A PowerPoint presentation explaining what is The Graphic Design Process and the stages of the design process.

1. by
Bernard E. Richardson
Master Teacher|Visual Arts Educator|2023
GRAPHIC
DESIGN
The
Process

2. The graphic design process
The Graphic Design process is a step-by-step approach used to
guide the creative process of the designer towards the
designing and creation of a product for a client.
• It transforms an idea into reality by helping the designer to think
creatively about a project and to arrive at a successful solution.
• It breaks down the creation of the product into several steps or
stages in which a specific task is carried out in order to make the
project manageable.

3. Stages of The Graphic Design Process
The steps/stages of The Graphic Design
process varies from person to person,
from freelance graphic designer to
company based designers.
An Eight stage Graphic Design Process
The number of steps/stages used vary
from 5 to 8 but the end result is to bring a
design brief into reality for the client.
Also some teachers may use slightly
different words for some stages, but the
meanings are similar to those described in
this presentation.

4. 1. Design brief
A design brief is a short written statement of what needs
to be designed.
It helps the designer understand what is to be done.
It describes some or all of the following:
• The type of product to be made and its purpose (brand guidelines);
• Who will use it (target audience);
• Where it will be used;
• Deadline for completion
• Where it might be sold.

5. There are two types of design briefs:
1. An OPEN BRIEF which gives general guidelines for a project and
offers the designer an opportunity to create a wide range of
ideas.
2. A CLOSED BRIEF which is one where the designer is gives
specific and detailed instructions about what is required.
1. DESIGN BRIEF (CONT’D)…

6. 2. RESEARCH
At this stage/step, information must be gathered about the
client.
This information includes:
• Information about the client such as their history, core values, target
audience and competitors.
• How the client differ from their competitors.
• Collect visual resources from magazines, photos, internet
The reason for this research is not to copy but to create
a brand or product design that is unique, pleasing to
the customers and as a result fitting into the market.

7. 3. BRAINSTORM
This stage is where all the ideas are recorded and explored
creatively.
• Making notes – what specific words to use to express a concept – similes,
metaphor, taglines, typography, colours, symbols are all jotted down as
possible ideas to use in depicting the idea and message clearly and
effectively.
• Making sketches (thumbnail sketches), flow charts, models or mock-ups,
taking measurements, discussing with others based on the information.
• It allows the designer to come up with several ideas for the final design and
to work out how best the different elements of design work together to
develop these ideas for the final design.
Time to take pencil to paper:

8. This stage is one of the most crucial stages of the graphic
design process.
4. SKETCH
The ideas are recorded, they are turned into rough sketches
called thumbnail sketches.
• Creating different layouts, colour, font styles
• Create mockups or models where necessary
A number of different ideas are created and shown to the
client until the right concept is approved.
• Present 3 – 5 ideas from the brainstorming stage.
• Client will decide on which one fits the design brief and what they are
looking for so that the process and move forward.

9. This is the stage for further developing ideas made during
the sketching stage using appropriate tools/software to meet
the client’s needs.
5.. CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
• Develop 3 – 5 different concepts to give the client some choice
• Concepts must meet the communicate what is asked for in the design brief.
• Creating detailed models and mock-ups, taking measurements etc.
• Selecting the best ideas and adding details to produce a more
comprehensive design needed for the meeting with client.

10. This is the stage where the client gets to have a look at the
ideas created by the designer and to give meaningful
feedback on the design created.
6. DESIGN REVIEW
• The client gives feedback by either approving, disapproving or make
suggestions in accordance to what they are looking for.
• This helps the designer to revisit the design brief and to make the
adjustments base on the feedback received so that the best design
possible can be created.

11. At this stage the designer makes changes and finalize the
design to suit the client.
Tweak, polish and finetune to show how accurate the
finished product should be.
7. TIGHT SKETCH
Sketches are more detailed with precise placement of the
elements. The designer checks for:
• consistent use of colour;
• appropriate lettering style, lettering size, uniform spacing of letters and words;
• spelling errors;
• illustrations;
• layouts showing actual dimensions.
At this stage a good idea is to get a second pair of eyes to look over the design.

12. This is the final stage of The Graphic Design process where the
designer presents the final work to the client.
8. FINAL DELIVERABLES
All final changes and finishing touches have been made,
the design fits the design brief and the client is happy and
gives the okay for the design to be produced.
• Final files are created/prepared for Printer etc. and documents are
created for the project.
• DELIVERY IS MADE TO THE CLIENT

13. Glossary of terms
CLIENT: An individual, group or organization who has commissioned
the service of a graphic designer to create a project.
MOCK-UP: A model or replica of a product showing the client/user
how it may look and be used.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: A small sketch or first design idea developed.

14. RESOURCES
• Dunlop, D., Drukam, E., and Westell, G. (2011). Aqa gcse design and
technology - graphic products, Hodder Education, London UK.
• Light, Brian. (1989), Starting design and communication, Longman
Group UK Limited.
• Swann, Alan. (1993). Basic design and layout. London: Phaidon Press
Limited.
• Tappendon, C., Jefford, L. and Farris, S. (2004). Foundation course
graphic design. London: Cassell Illustrated.
• Blue Steele Solutions. (2017).The graphic design process.[Online]
Available: https://bluesteelesolutions.com/the-graphic-design-process/
• den Hartog, Mark. (2020). The 5-step graphic design process. [Online]
Available: https://www.denhartogdesign.com/blog/the-5-step-graphic-
design-process

15. THE END