Basics of Research

Research should be project-specific, but observation and documentation should be a daily habit. Capturing images, notes, and objects for inspiration helps build a valuable reference library. By dedicating time to research, designers can enhance their creative process and produce more impactful work.

Designers who seek information from the greatest range of references are those who successfully communicate with people of all ages, professions, and lifestyles, and who properly contextualize their design work. There are two types of research.

Primary Research

Gathering material that does not preexist, such as photographing, drawing, making prototypes, interviewing people.

Secondary Research

Gathering material that already exists, such as design work, color samples, written texts, newspaper/magazine articles, archive images (e.g. historical samples of advertising).

So here are some research techniques that should help you.