Icon, Index, Symbol:
Use of icons, graphic elements that create connections with images and ideas; an index, alternative associations with an icon, or symbols, representations of a thing, can be powerful tools used to generate understanding.
Collaboration:
Collaborating can yield valuable designs because each group member is bring their own set of skills to a project. To properly collaborate you must actually meet face to face, listen to what is being said and also give your own input, choose leaders to keep the project on track, don't worry about what an individual is doing only worry about the overall success of the project.
Co-design
Including the end user or the audience in the development of a design. Begin by seeking out your audience, come up with questions that will guide them through their part but don't have a predetermined out come, come prepared with engaging and helpful tools/supplies that will be used for the design, finally listen and learn from your audience directly.
Visual Diary
Create something simple everyday or as often as possible. Sketches and doodles are encouraged. Start by deciding how often you should make an entry and ask yourself if there should be a theme. Don't over think it and just dedicate 15 minutes to being creative. Continue creating or adding on to projects or media that interest you. Get your work seen. Don't quit. Use this exercise for other ideas in the future.
Lost in Translation
Designs can easily be misinterpreted when being introduced in other cultures, being aware of this is important and doing research and avoiding certain areas of communication can help to not lose or offend an audience. Make sure you know where and who will be seeing your design, if you only speak English then avoid slang and colloquial terms, don't just use a dictionary to translate words you should speak to someone who also speaks the language to get first hand knowledge, try to find words or symbols that translate well or are similar in the sounds of their translation.
Concept Presentation
Create presentations that will explain your design and also get people excited about it. Begin by choosing a program or format for displaying your presentation. Design your presentation using outlines and simple templates/layouts. Fill in the information then remember to be consistent and to the point with what you are saying and showing.
