Go beyond crafting a logo or brochure and learn what it takes to design a commercial success.

Doing research can make all the difference between a great design and a good design. By engaging in competitive intelligence, customer profiling, color and trend forecasting, etc., designers are able to bring something to the table that reflects a commercial value for the client beyond a well-crafted logo or brochure. Although scientific and analytical in nature, research is the basis of all good design work. This book provides a comprehensive manual for designers on what design research is, why it is necessary, how to do research, and how to apply it to design work.

With emphasis on the designer's role in strategy, research, brainstorming, prototyping and development, this book is devoted to teaching interaction design to those new to the field.

Doing research can make all the difference between a great design and a good design. Most experienced designers would quantify this "legwork" with the term research. By engaging in competitive intelligence, customer profiling, color and trend forecasting, etc., designers are able to bring something to the table that reflects a commercial value for the client beyond a well-crafted logo or brochure. Although scientific and analytical in nature, research is the basis of all good design work. This book provides a comprehensive manual for designers on what design research is, why it is necessary, how to do research, and how to apply it to design work. As designers embrace research methodologies, they share a common vernacular with their clients, and establish respect as idea people. In an increasingly crowded marketplace, embracing research practices will ensure a continued viable role for designers in business. No other books address this issue for student and professional graphic designers. Books on how to do research are usually aimed at writers, business marketers, and scientists. The ability to execute effective research methods is as important to a career in graphic design as the ability to build a grid or layout a page. Understanding the needs of the client and the client's market are essential components of creating value.

Design is everywhere. It influences how we live, what we wear, how we communicate, what we buy, and how we behave. To design for the real world and define strategies rather than just implement them, you need to learn how to understand and solve complex, intricate and often unexpected problems. Research for Designers is the guide to this new, evidence-based creative process for anyone doing research in Design Studies or looking to develop their design research skills. The book: Takes an organized approach to walking you through the basics of research. Highlights the importance of data. Encourages you to think in a cross-disciplinary way. Including interviews with 10 design experts from across the globe, this guide helps you put theory into practice and conduct successful design research.

What is design? What are the main design disciplines, and how do they interrelate? How does design theory and context help you improve your studio work? What do you need to know by the end of your course to get a good career? What can you do to become a knowledgeable designer and improve your skills so that you stand out from the crowd? Whether you are already studying design, thinking about choosing a course, or are well on your way to finding your first job, this essential and uniquely comprehensive book will introduce you to the world of design and support you throughout your studies and on into the industry. Key features Develops your core skills and supports you in making the most of your studies. Describes the multi-disciplinary design world by exploring the various design disciplines – graphics, fashion and textiles, three-dimensional design, craft, spatial, interactive media, and theatre, film and television. Contains crucial practical information so you’re ready for your career - placements, working with industry and self-employment, networking, job-seeking and how to succeed in your own business. Covers the key practical, theoretical and cultural fundamentals of design to help you understand and inform your practice - chapters on creativity and innovation, history, culture and context, how to communicate design, colour theory, aesthetics, and how to design with ethical, social and responsible considerations. Comprises chapters written by designers and lecturers, all experts in their fields. Includes stories, career profiles and first-hand quotes by students, established designers and industry specialists exploring what it’s like to study and to work in the design industry today. Identifies important books and websites for further reading. The Design Student’s Handbook will guide you along the road to a successful and fulfilling career and is an essential text for studying any of the design disciplines.

This comprehensive Research Handbook explores empirical legal studies of intellectual property law. It covers research from four continents and offers unique conclusions to aid in the creation and understanding of policies and legislation.

The Principles & Processes of Interactive Design is aimed at new designers from across the design and media disciplines who want to learn the fundamentals of designing for interactive media. This book is intended both as a primer and companion guide on how to research, plan and design for increasingly prevalent interactive projects. With clear and practical guidance on how to successfully present your ideas and concepts, Jamie Steane introduces you to user-based design, research and development, digital image and typography, interactive formats, and screen-based grids and layout. Using a raft of inspirational examples from a diverse range of leading international creatives and award-winning agencies, this is required reading for budding digital designers. In addition, industry perspectives from key design professionals provide fascinating insights into this exciting creative field, and each chapter concludes with workshop tutorials to help you put what you've learnt into practice in your own interactive designs. Featured contributors include: AKQA, BBC, Dare, Edenspiekermann, Electronic Arts, e-Types, Komodo Digital, Moving Brands, Nordkapp, Onedotzero, Onformative, Preloaded and Razorfish.

Presenting a variety of historiographical approaches, this Research Handbook explores the historical development of trademarks and the associated commercial practices of branding. It has an international scope, covering trademark history in Australia, Israel, pre-modern Europe, Sweden, the UK, and the US.

This timely Research Handbook offers significant insights into an understudied subject, bringing together a broad range of socio-legal studies of medicine to help answer complex and interdisciplinary questions about global health – a major challenge of our time.