Collaboration through Transdisciplinary Methods

The role of collaboration in design is evolving intensely in the 21st Century. The design process includes but is not limited to collaboration efforts pertaining to group brainstorming sessions, interviews, and co-designing. Tim Brown, author of Change by Design, mentions that businesses are taking a more human—centered approach because the consumer’s expectations are evolving. Due to the increasing demands of consumers, it is important for graphic designers to be more equipped and efficient than ever before. Subsequently, establishing the right team through transdisciplinary methods will offer visual communicators a multifaceted opportunity for communication, which will generate the ability to create excellent designs and solve rigorous problems.

AIGA refers to transdisciplinary design as a growing movement of academics and practitioners who are creating new ways of bringing people together in open environments. Transdisciplinarity will challenge graphic designers to look to other disciplines for new ideas and ways of working. This concept is a calling to step into a new dimension of team efforts. The method will challenge designers to think more holistically and create the opportunity for design to serve as an integrative agent for complex problem solving.

Therefore, next time you’re thinking about developing a creative team, consider professionals such as: lawyers, doctors, educators, or your neighbor next door. These individuals can employ incredible results towards your next design solutions.

 

web: faithhousedesigngroup.com

twitter: @faithhouseDG

 

Connecting Made Easy

Throughout my life I have made several connections with people. Some that have lasted for over 20 years and others that have lasted for only 20 minutes — if that. Making connections or more so, making the right ones can be powerful. Making the right connection will in turn, be rewarding and memorable for not only you, but the one you engage with.

Connecting with people does not have to be treated like rocket science. Sometimes we put way more pressure than necessary in the idea of building relationships especially in the business field. Everyone has what it takes to connect.

Lets briefly reflect on Jesus who was one of the main individuals who made significant encounters. How was this done? Jesus simply applied the techniques of spending quality time, listening, engaging, inspiring, and touching lives. He also went in with the agenda to place others first. These simple principles are ones I believe are important to model.

It can be very easy to get caught up in our own agenda, needs and wants but this could lead to a path of destruction when considering developing successful relationships. The foundation in developing a relationship needs to be strong and real.

As you meet new people remember not to make the task complicated. Find common ground, listen, keep the communication simple, inspire, and most importantly, keep it authentic.

 

web: faithhousedesigngroup.com

twitter: @faithhouseDG

Branding You

Marketing today requires a business to do more than simply inform consumers of its existence.  There are more advertising options today then ever before. As more individuals utilize these resources, it becomes more and more difficult to get noticed.  You must position yourself to set yourself apart.  One of the most effective ways of doing so is Branding.

Branding encompasses so much more than a brand name. It is also goes well beyond the idea of consistency of an artificial look for your self, business, and/or ministry. Branding is a matter of perception. Behind any action there is a motive, and behind any product there is an organizations intent. Branding needs to become how you can connect with your consumer on personal level, so they can better see your intentions.

As the leader of a business or ministry you would need to ask yourself, “What am I offering?” “Why am I offering this?” and “Who am I offering it to?” Once you better understand yourself, branding now shifts paradigms from you to your consumer. The question to be answered now is, “How can I show them I have a product I truly believe will enhance their lives?”

faithhousedesigngroup.com

twitter: @faithhouseDG