1. Sketch of Section 2: Gathering Information
Who designs?
Anybody with a problem who is willing to solve it.
What is a design?
While there are many definitions in a dictionary, we define design as any plan for a solution to a problem.
Where are designs used?
Everywhere. There can be design without a designer. Many problems in a changing environment are solved through variation, selection, and multiplication (imperfect copies) of successful designs.
When are designs created?
For us, whenever something is seen as a problem, we start imagining solutions. If we create a plan someone else can follow then we have a design.
How are designs created?
There are as many ways to create a design as there are ways to solve a problem.
Why are designs created?
Designs are one possible response to a problem but there are alternatives. We can simply endure the problem or see the problem as something other than a problem. Computer programmers joke ‘it's a feature, not a bug’ and sometimes they really mean it.
What is the difference between art and design?
Art is freedom from any constraints beyond the aesthetic (of the artist).
Design is fitness for a particular purpose.
An umbrella has high utility for keeping the rain off your head and low utility as a chair.
A chair has high utility for sitting and low utility for keeping the rain off your head.
All made things have a design behind them (intentional or unintentional).
All living things have a design behind them (but no designer).
As long as we live in a world of messy people acting, reacting, and interacting, we will face new problems so we will need new designs.
2. Outline Sketch of a design primer for 10-13 year olds.
- Front Matter
- Table of Contents
- Introduction and Acknowledgements
- Letter to the Student
- Letter to the Teacher
- Section 1: Design Elements and Principles
- Elements: SEE FESTIVALS
- Principles: IMPROV CABBAGE
- Exercises:
- Section 2: Gathering information
- Who designs?
- What is a design?
- Where are designs used?
- When are designs created?
- How are designs created?
- Why are designs created?
- What is the difference between art and design?
- Section 3: Typeface Sign and Syntax
- Letter
- Word
- Line
- Margin
- Column
- Glossary
- Index
- Bibliography
