After running into this situation a few times now, I thought I’d write up a post about the importance of involving a designer early on in a project. I think this really applies to anyone who’s going to be responsible for adding form or functionality to a product.
It’s easy to see a designer as someone who just “puts a face” on a finished project and, in fact, I’ve been called in at the end of a 2 year project and asked to “make it look presentable” in a week! While not impossible, this approach generally produces work that hasn’t been given its due thought and research. If you’re going to put 2 years into a project, wouldn’t you like to have it look its very best?
An analogy I like to use is building a house. I wouldn’t make sense to have the builder put up a solid frame, lay plumbing and pour a driveway before talking with an architect about where the kitchen is going to go or how the light from the window will affect the heating and cooling needs. There is a partnership that needs to exist so that the work can be done efficiently and effectively and the expertise of both professionals can inform the decision making process.
What I propose is a method of working where you involve your designer early on in the process so that they have a full understanding of the work that’s being done as the project advances. Plus, the advanced notice will give more time for design research and execution to ensure that the project looks its best and the final result is the most appropriate option. A designer might also be able to mention things along the way that you might not otherwise think of. For example, maybe the final brochure would be really effective with “before and after” photographs. If you don’t think of that ahead of time, you’ll miss your chance!







