Philosophy > Design
Our design philosophy is simple: Imagine without parameters. Be fluid
and free in your thinking, then refine to meet the objective.
JRoss Design Consultants provide purposeful design solutions for communications
issues. We concentrate on developing design that works, that does its job
efficiently and effectively by informing or clarifying or promoting or selling;
work that connects with its intended audience for its intended purpose. In other
words, work that provides a return on investment and contributes to the overall
health of an organization’s bottom line as well as its public image.
Design Process
Design is the synthesis of a rational and intuitive process that communicates ideas,
emotion, experience, and a strategic message to an intended audience. The design
process is not a solo exercise. Client and designer collaboration is an essential
and integral part of the design process. Together, the client and the designer
define the problem, identify the needs, and begin to brainstorm for the best solution.
We begin by gathering information, defining the issue, understanding the objective
and then tailoring the visual message. We move from the ideas through a series of
prototypical designs and applications. We share a vision and continue to delineate
the best ways to realize that vision. The final design solution is tracked for
qualitative and quantitative results: in other words, to make sure it works.
Design Means Business
Ah, this is the critical part: the idea that good design is good for business.
Think about it. Why do some products and services appeal to you more than others?
It could be because of how they are graphically represented – everything from
the product itself to the company identity.
Designers command visual language to communicate ideas, emotion, experience, and
a strategic message to an intended audience. The design process will manifest new
knowledge, generate better ideas, facilitate problem solving, produce good will,
and increase ROI. Bottom line, good design costs no more than bad design. And
design is good for business.
Design Advocacy
As designers, we have the phenomenal opportunity to create and proliferate messages
to effect positive societal change. Design is the process of identifying and achieving
preferred outcomes, of solving problems and responding to human needs. This problem
solving process is no different when applied to profit-based business or not-for-profit
community service organizations.
As designers, we need to reconcile market value and social value. One does not supersede
the other. As a designer and design educator, my work continues to perpetuate empathic
and responsible design.
