Design & The Power of Observation
How to become a better Designer through observation.
What’s the difference between a Designer and a Non-Designer? Is it knowing how to use Photoshop or Illustrator? The drawing skills? Or is it knowing about colors? Well, I think the difference is actually a simple one (and also a bit complex at the same time), the difference lays in the power of observation.
Ever since we open our eyes when we wake up until we close them at the end of the day we’re surrounded with thousands of visual stimuli. We perceive signals, color, patterns and endless images for hours. And we’re perceiving them in the form of a message we can’t translate.
Design is about becoming an observer who is able to analyze, interpret and distinguish the messages around us to discover patterns, signs, colors and elements of a visual content; learning from them and then being able to ask: What can I learn from this so I can apply it into that?
A designer is someone who is capable of observing in a much more analytic way and starts to interpret the solutions he generates on a more conscious level.
Design is the act of re-interpretation of visual stimuli. That’s why we can say that the act of observation is, at the same time, the act of learning to design (or designing in a better way).
However, our mind and perception are very different between individuals. Recent events like the white&gold or black&blue dress are a living proof of how we can perceive the same stimuli in a totally different way.
If we add to this differences the fact that our sight sense and our observation habits are actually very poor, then we can understand why -sometimes- we find it so hard to design accurate messages for others to translate.
The best way to start improving our design skills is by becoming an observer in a much more analytic way and working really hard to perceive the same stimuli in as many ways as possible.
Another problem about our observation skills is the little understanding we have about the context we’re in. We could define our perception as a result of “What I see” and “What I know and understand”.
There’s a change of paradigms between cities: traditions, personalities and even the devices in which we appreciate things are different. That’s why it’s vital to learn about the context of what we are observing before we actually start to observe.
How can I improve my observation skills? -You might be asking- Here are some techniques I learned in a mix of articles, courses and conferences:
Observe in different directions.
The first method consists of observing from different perspectives and spatial directions. For instance, on your daily route to work try walking looking up: observe the lights, rooftops, clouds and birds up high; and the following day try walking looking down, appreciate the patterns, textures, elements and details of everything below you.
Looking into different directions can be very helpful for appreciating those little details that are generally lost when looking into the same things over and over again.
Observe from an innocent perspective.
Another interesting method is to observe from an innocent perspective. Ask yourself and others questions as if you don’t know the answer to anything, looking at things in a child-like manner. Observe the chair, car or bicycle and wonder how does it work, why is painted that way, what are the wheels for.
By asking this we are exploring different points of view that we never considered before.
Observe with people in the know.
Opposite to the previous method, another way to improve observation is by doing it next to someone who has knowledge about a specific subject. An interesting observation exercise is to go out next to an Architect that can explain to you why buildings, landscapes and shapes are a certain way, next to a Designer specialized in semiotic or a Geologist who can talk to you about the ground you’re stepping on.
The possibilities are endless, and even in the most boring places there are a lot of incredible things to look at from an expert’s point of view.
Observe at all times.
The city is constantly changing throughout the day. Going for a walk at night and passing by the same spots you walk during the day time can surely make things look a lot different.
To observe the same object at a different time of day when the sunlight is different, can be helpful to appreciate the object’s design.
Observe with an inquisitive attitude.
This might be the most dangerous of all the observation techniques (and at the same time the most functional). To question what we see from a constructive point of view is great for breaking our own observation paradigms.
Questioning helps us differentiate concepts, points of view and above all, appreciate details, such as: Why is that red instead of green? Why is it round instead of plain? That would look so much better in gold!
To observe from a critical perspective is perhaps, the best observation technique.
Conclusion.
Our observation skills, are the best weapon or method to become a better designer. By looking at things in a critical and open manner we can begin to interpret the visual stimuli around us, generating accurate visual solutions (according to our own context).
Take your time to observe in an honest way from different perspectives.
This article was written by:
Eduardo Higareda
@eldelentes. Graphic designer & Front-End Developer. Lead Designer at Icalia Labs.
Translated and reviewed by:
Lila Miller
@lilamiller. Psychologist and maker of things. Happiness Manager at Icalia Labs.
