The Importance of Concept Creation - EP04

Creating a design, thinking of a project idea, achieving a business diagram or even imagining a future with a complete creation involves a development of a Concept. Your success may be closer if you start including a concept. This method includes a wide range of industries: Product development, Architectural services, Engineering purposes, Fashion, Food, and more. But how to create it? First, let’s understand what a Concept is.

The conceptualization is the foundation and core of a project. It turns into the reason for the complete creation that ties every idea together. You could choose to skip this first step when designing, but a design without concept does not engage that easily, instead, with a base idea the creation flows like a river. It’s the origin of everything (of your project obviously)

Inspiration

Turn on your favorite music sky high, do some exercise to clear your mind, spend quality time with the people that you love and feel good about yourself, or any other activity that gets you inspired because it’s Inspiration time. This is the most well invested time that you could give to your project, after all, your success depends on a great idea (no pressure).

Sometimes it takes longer than expected, but as long as you are satisfied with what you achieve you can take your valuable time as needed. Don’t bang your head against the wall, I know the frustration is real, instead, let it flow. It’ll come. Think of it as an amazing journey about to be discovered and you just have to dig deeper to find that treasure.

Research

Don’t get me wrong, Originality is very important. Spending time viewing other people’s projects may help you get an idea of the latest trends and materials. Creating a folder with reference images can define what you like or prefer, or even determine what you don’t want to include. Also, knowing your competition is key. The purpose is to stand out from the majority and be a competent player. What’s the saying? Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. 

Know your client AND user.

Having a client is a great motivator to create a big success. Everything depends on whether you know your client’s taste or needs. Knowing your client is a powerful tool when it comes to creating a space or object, since you already have the clue of the path you need to take. Sometimes you’ll come to a place where you find yourself lost or confused because your client doesn’t know what he wants, and it’s the time when you need extra inspiration and know your competition. 

The best you can do here is have options. Start sketching and polish 2 or 3 proposals, so you give your client different kinds of schemes and styles. Best scenario, you end up understanding where your client wants to be driven, and Worst, keep on developing a compelling concept. 

Your user plays an essential part. After all, they’re the ones that are going to use the space, and if that doesn’t cover their needs, neither will the client have them covered. Start by putting on their shoes and consider yourself as the user. For example, if it is a cafeteria you're designing, go to a considerable amount of existing ones and be critical. Think of the things you like and don't like about them, styles, colors, think of the way they make you feel. Secure? Warm? Impressed? Nothing at all? This takes us to our next item to consider. 

It's all about the Experience

This can sound a bit hedonist, but the success of a concept is to develop emotions and positive experiences for the users. If the result of your visit was 'Nothing at all', then it's not memorable. You as a creator, must take an effort on turning a place (object) into an experience (feelings). We as sentimental and influential beings, get carried away and unconsciously prefer to shop, eat, or be in one place over the other.

The Don't s 

Part of understanding what a Concept is, let's understand what it isn't. This is a basic list of the Don't s you need to stay away from:

• Don't make it obvious/literal: For example, if it is a coffee shop avoid filling it with coffee grain shapes. 
• Concept is not only colors: involve textures, patterns, volumes, even light. 
• Copy-paste: don't repeat. Re-interpret. 
• Develop a negative experience or feelings: too many colors may induce in an anxious space. One color makes it boring. 

A Concept creation may be dreadful at the beginning, but once you master this ability, the rest of the design will be easily developed.