Responding to stimuliUsing design works as stimuli
Artists and designers find stimuli in the world around them or research a particular topic to find stimuli. They use this material to help them generate a personal creative response in their work.
Designers who work in your chosen area and whose ideas and techniques you are interested in can be a good source for stimulus.
Choose key designers who can also influence your own practical work. Analyse their techniques. This work can be presented in a number of different ways:
in your sketchbook
in a jotter
as a presentation on sheets of paper of card
on the computer using software of your choice
as a blog
You should consider how the designers' approaches might influence your own work. Think about:
Key visual elements and how they are used.
Style and how this is achieved.
Do they belong to a particular design movement?
What are its characteristics?
Social and cultural influences that have impacted on the designs and how they have done this.
Techniques and use of technology.
Market research
Market research involves looking at existing works in your design area and learning from them.
When carrying out market research for a design piece you should ensure that:
it is relevant to your design brief.
you do not copy any of the designs that you find
you collate and present your market research in an effective way