On research
I’ve been reading Elliot Jay Stocks’ Sexy Web Design recently (as you may be able to glean from my previous post) and the standout chapter for me is the one on Research. I’m guilty of neglecting this stage more often than not, usually under the strain of time and budget, as I’m sure many of you are too…right?
The chapter breaks down various stages of a particular research process, one that happily works for me, illustrating along the way as to why research is not only a valuable step, but a crucial one, when it comes to delivering a diverse, suitable and quality end result.
My two most recent design projects, albeit small, have definitely benefited from a chunk of research time. Not only does it help you to take in and fully understand your brief that little bit better, it’s also a time for and a source of inspiration.
Check out what you can and can’t be influenced by, discover best examples and practices and explore styles. It doesn’t have to be a massive chunk of time, but used in the right way, can have a massive impact on your designs.
As I said in my previous post, I’d highly recommend Sexy Web Design. You can grab it over at SitePoint.