Basics Graphic Design 03: Idea Generation

Neil Leonard is a designer and educator; he is a freelance designer and used to work at the Arts University College at Bournemouth, UK, lecturing on the BA in Visual Communication. A graduate of the London College of Communication, his experience of graphic design is broad and encompasses areas as diverse as typography, illustration and new media. Through each of these disciplines an investigative research interest plays a vital part and informs his freelance practice. Gavin Ambrose is a practising graphic designer whose client base includes the art sector, galleries, publishers and advertising agencies. He has written and designed several books on graphic design, branding and packaging.

Chapter 1: Basic principles
Getting started
Kick-starting the process
Working in a group
Studio interview
Exercise

Chapter 2: Creative thinking and idea generation
Strategies and methods
Exploring idea generation
Studio interview
Exercise

Chapter 3: Audience and context
Audience-specific techniques
Client and competition
Object, construction and materials
Studio interview
Exercise

Chapter 4: Practical idea generation
Working in the studio
Working in the environment
Studio interview
Exercise

Chapter 5: Developing and informing your ideas
Informing your ideas
Synthesis and development
Studio interview
Exercise

Chapter 6: Application
Presenting and communicating ideas
Applying idea generation
Studio interview
Exercise