project brief (stage 1)
Specifications of the project are clearly defined in great detail.
research (stage 2)
Information gathering to gain an understanding of what you are working on.
information architecture (stage 2)
Determining how much content is needed to communicate your message.
Organising that information into packets ready for delivery.
concept development (stage 3)
Putting thoughts onto paper to define the problem using a series of lists.
Brainstorming - writing down any ideas you may happen to think of.
Notes on observations you made during your research.
thumbnail sketches (stage 3)
Sketches help to develop an idea on paper before going on a computer.
Seeing how things fit together in the chosen format. Are changes needed?
Does it work? Developing ideas further, until it evolves into a final solution.
storyboarding (stage 3)
Used to layout the screens or pages of the project into the different sections.
Mapping out levels of interactivity for different sections of the presentation.
It is also used to describe "keyframes" in animations or movie development.
implementation (stage 4)
Transferring ideas from paper into working "mock-ups" or "prototypes".
Proof of concept stage - changes are made due to technical restrictions.
Mostly it's about ironing out the "bugs" for the final assembly.
Production (stage 5) + Final Design (stage 6)
Once the design is finalized it is subjected to usability testing, to determine if there are any issues to deal with. This process of refining will continue until all issues are resolved, then proceed to the final client presentation, approvals and distribution of the product. Part of this process is the "rationale" where the reasons for the selection of fonts, colours, design elements and the use of any particular technology are explained and justified
