Design Diaries

This thought-provoking and practical book for graphic designers and students explores creative practice in graphic design. The book examines the varied ways of getting from first thought to final product, making the creative process tangible, visible and possible. The book begins by introducing the essential elements of the creative process design philosophy, inspiration, the brief, research and development, text, image and production. What follows comprises a series of in-depth studies of a range of real life graphic design projects from the art direction of a magazine issue and the development of a logo, to the design of a poster, a font and a signage system. In each case, the designers are interviewed and their working process documented in detail. The book also includes strategies for getting started, keeping going and thinking laterally, with tricks and techniques to exercise the right-hand side of the brain.