Engineering Design Loop: The steps of the design process include: identify the need, research the problem, develop possible solutions, select the most promising solution, construct a prototype, test and evaluate the prototype, communicate the design, and redesign.

The engineering design process is the series of steps engineers take when using math, science, and technical knowledge to solve a problem or address a need. The first step in the engineering design process is to define the problem. This explains the problem, who is involved, and why it’s important to solve.

Engineers will often use reverse-engineering to solve problems. For example, by taking things apart to determine an issue, finding a solution and then putting the object back together again. Engineers know how things work, and so they constantly analyse things and discover how they work.

Through a rich and often boisterous discussion, four teachers collectively broke down the engineering design process into four main phases: problem definition, design exploration, design optimization, and design communication.

Test and Redesign The design process involves multiple iterations and redesigns of your final solution. You will likely test your solution, find new problems, make changes, and test new solutions before settling on a final design.

A design brief should primarily focus on the results and outcomes of the design and the business objectives of the design project. It should not attempt to deal with the aesthetics of design… That is the responsibility of the designer.

As a top level overview, a written design brief should include: An Overview of Your Business. The Objectives of Your Design Project. Your Target Audience and Market.

What to Ask Your Client Before Creating Their Design Brief

• The Importance of a Good Design Brief.
• Question 1: “Can You Tell Me About Your Company?”
• Question 2: “What Do You Want to Achieve with the Design?”
• Question 3: “Who is Your Target Audience?”
• Question 4: “What Do You Want Me to Produce?”
• Question 5: “What Exists Already?”
• Question 6: “What Makes a Design Good?”

Questions to Ask Clients Before Starting Any Graphic Design Project

• Learn More About The Business.
• Why Do You Want This Project?
• What Is the Goal of This New Project?
• Do You Want to Use Existing Brand Colors or Do You Have a Color Palette in Mind?
• What Are the Different Names for Your Business?

Communication is often the most challenging aspect of working as a graphic designer….Here are 10 tips to form a solid foundation in client communication.

1. Define the roles.
2. Define the project scope.
3. Ask more questions.
4. Use layman terms.
5. Always talk time.
6. Don’t be afraid to call out a client.
7. Be friendly.
8. Talk on the phone.

5 Principles of Logo Design

• Simple. Your logo needs to be easily identifiable at a glance.
• Memorable. An effective logo should be memorable.
• Timeless. An effective logo should be timeless and should avoid trends.
• Versatile. A good logo can be used in a variety of sizes and colours.
• Appropriate.

15 essential places freelance graphic designers can find new…

• Upwork. Long favoured by the freelance community, Upwork offers its users a place in which to find more clients to help fuel small business.
• People Per Hour.
• OnSite.io.
• YunoJuno.
• Elance.
• Toptal.
• Freelancer.
• Working Not Working.

How to Get Graphic Design Clients Right Now (5 Pro Tactics That Work)

1. Sign up for design job sites. Get 10 FREE Design Job Leads. SolidGigs. Flexjobs.
2. Go where graphic design clients already are.
3. Use cold outreach to get design clients.
4. Get graphic design clients to come to you.
5. Optimize your portfolio for client conversions.

Top 5 Places to Find Freelance Graphic Design Work

1. 1 – Upwork. Upwork is a great place for beginners to find graphic design work.
2. 2 – 99Designs. A favorite of almost everyone that I talk to is 99Designs.
3. 3 – Authentic Jobs.
4. 4 – Krop.
5. 5 – Smashing Jobs.

While many students are willing to look at jobs unrelated to their major, graphic design majors are not. 80% of them only want to consider design jobs. However, getting a full-time design job is hard. 43% of recent graduates currently employed are not working in a design role.

The average salary for a graphic designer in California is around $56,810 per year.

Here are some tips so that you are prepared to make additional income putting your graphic design skills to work:

1. Sell Digital Files Online. One way to get a name for yourself is to start selling digital files.
2. Take on Projects as a Freelancer.
3. Earn a Degree and Get Hired by a Design Company.

10 States Where Graphic Designers Earn the Most Money

Graphic designers have serious skills that are in high demand. Here’s a look at the graphic designer job description and salary benchmarks. Job opportunities in the advertising and marketing field are growing. As such, graphic designers, particularly those with web and mobile technology skills, are in strong demand.

Offer courses and services

1. Freelance on Upwork. Freelancing could work for you when you have a diverse set of graphic design skills, but you’re not into selling products.
2. Business branding. In recent years, business branding has seen a huge spike in popularity.
3. Teach graphic design.
4. Illustrate publications.