I love starting a new project.
I don't really mean the discovery and specification phase. Sure, identifying the client's needs is critical, and while it can be enjoyable and rewarding, it isn't the good part.
The good part is when you put ink to paper and see what comes out.
I've always been a rough draft sort of guy. In college, I used to write my papers in longhand before I typed them. The process of writing, erasing, scratching things out, etc helped put things into place.
My designs and coding projects work the same way.
I usually start on a dry erase board that I split in two parts - one side for a design sketch and the other for a key / notes. The sketch is extremely rough and gets erased and wiped clean many times as I try to piece things together - navigation, images, content, etc.. No colors yet, just big empty blocks to try and visualize things. Notes and color ideas get added and I eventually have something I can use as I move to digital.
So I will readily acknowledge that I'm really not much of an artist. The stuff on the board is hardly recognizable. It certainly won't win any awards, and I'm thankful that I can erase any evidence of it's existence.
But the process is invaluable really. Now when I sit at the computer (and am faced with yet another blank white screen) I have an image, a spark, a kick in the right direction. The rough draft is a critical piece of my design process - it lets me work out the kinks, and gives me a starting point to work with as I build the final design.
I know this is hardly a unique process. The developers over at 37signals have even written specifically about the
joys of using a sharpie for UI design.
I also know some brilliant designers who can skillfully assemble a wonderful UI and never put pen to paper.
Which process works for you?
SB
The precision comes later and brings with it a completely different sense of satisfaction.
Thanks for the comment
SB