Pipeline & Workflow
Key question
How does a design project work?
A design project follows a recurring process: from the briefing through concept and design to production and final approval. Understanding these phases allows for more realistic planning and makes it clear when specific decisions are made.
Learning objective: You can name the phases of a design project, describe their deliverables, and create a simple schedule.
Each phase ends with a decision.
1.1 / Five Phases
From briefing to sign-off.
Most design projects go through these phases:
01
Briefing and Analysis
Clarify the assignment, conduct research, define objectives.
02
Concept
Define the idea and direction before starting the design.
03
Draft
Translating the idea into design and demonstrating it across applications.
04
Elaboration
Implement all formats and details, incorporate corrections.
05
Production and Acceptance
Print data, exports, checking and approval.
Each phase concludes with a deliverable and a sign-off. Only then is it worth investing in the next phase.
Decide first, then invest.
1.2 / Plan your time
Plan backwards from the deadline.
A schedule starts from the deadline and works backwards: When does it need to go to print, when does it need approval, when does it need to be presented? This quickly shows whether the timeframe is realistic.
Buffers are not a luxury: feedback, approvals and corrections often take longer than planned.
Plan backwards, build in buffers.
1.3 / Agile or linear
Not every project runs the same way.
Traditional projects run linearly: one phase after the other. Digital projects often work agilely in short cycles, known as sprints, with regular interim updates.
Both approaches have their merits. Print projects with fixed deadlines benefit from clear phases, websites and apps from step-by-step improvement. More on iterative working in Design Thinking.
The methodology follows the project.
Exercise
Plan a project
Task: Plan a project, such as a performance or appearance for a club, from the initial analysis through to final sign-off.
STEP 1
Set the deadline and work backwards.
STEP 2
Describes the outcome and sign-off for each phase.
STEP 3
Create the schedule using the tool.
STEP 4
Compare your plan with a practitioner.
Evaluation: Where was your plan too optimistic?