How to define Design Philosophy?

Getting Started

The design philosophy is a set of beliefs, principles, and values that guide the designs. It’s a way of thinking about design that goes beyond aesthetics and technical considerations to encompass broader ideas about the role and purpose of design in society. Design philosophy helps teams to focus on important things, helps in better agreement on a definition of success, and can prevent misalignment among team members. Having an effective design philosophy will help to make your designs more recognizable and unique to your users.

Themes of Design Philosophy

Design philosophy may vary based on the context, the designer, and the design principle, but some common themes include:

1. User-centeredness: Putting the needs and experiences of the user at the center of the design process. 

2. Sustainability: Designing with a focus on minimizing environmental impact and promoting social responsibility.

3. Simplicity: Creating designs that are clear, concise, and easy to use and understand. 

4. Functionality: Ensuring that the design serves its intended purpose effectively.

5. Beauty: Creating designs that are aesthetically pleasing and emotionally engaging.

Use of design philosophy

The design philosophy is useful in:

• providing a framework for evaluating a design while it gets built 

• ensuring the product/project is going in the right direction

• helping team members have the same thought process

• building consistent design

• ensuring a good quality outcome

How to?

1. Identify your core values: Identify the values that are most important to you as a designer. This could include things like simplicity, functionality, sustainability, or beauty.

2. Define your goals: Define the goal that you want to achieve through your design work. Define if you’re trying to solve a specific problem, create an emotional connection with users, or communicate a specific message.

3. Consider your audience: Identify your target audience, their needs, preferences, and expectations. Your design philosophy should be tailored to the needs of your audience.

4. Look for inspiration: Research other designers or design movements that align with your values and goals. Use their work as inspiration and guidance for your own approach.

5. Create a mission statement: Summarize your values, goals, and approach in a brief mission statement. This statement should capture the essence of your design philosophy and serve as a guide for all your design work.

6. Define: Define your design philosophy including:

1. For an organization or team, define the vision, brand attributes, principles, rules, etc.

2. For a project, define the goal, principles, and pointers for a design system 

7. Share: Share with stakeholders and design team members.

8. Enhance: Get feedback from key stakeholders and be open to making a revision.

Do’s & Don'ts

 

Suggested Tools 

• GoogleDocs

• Office365

References 

• How to Develop Your Design Philosophy from Draw Backwards

• How to Develop Your UX Design Philosophy from UXMatters 

• What is Your Design Philosophy? from Jesse Weaver

• What is a design philosophy (and how to create one) from Uizard

• 5 Design Principles From The World’s Most Product-Centric Companies from ProductPlan

Other Related Best Practices

• Stakeholder Interviews

• User Research