Today, we got to reflect on the mind maps we made on our chosen specialisations. I chose to create a mind map on my first and second choice of design stream : communication and interiors, respectively.

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Looking at the different mind maps and the opinions and views of my classmates really gave me a perspective of understanding what design as a term can mean to us. We then debated points to agree on about other streams and designs as well as disagree on.

Agreed

A point that I agreed on when we began discussing about and reviewing our mind maps was how holistic, yet narrowed each stream can be. Despite all the streams coming under the single umbrella term of “design” each stream represents something completely different and promotes a different intention. Communication design, for example can focus on branding, packaging, or logo designing, where as Interior designing can focus on Anthropometry, radial, symmetrical and asymmetrical designs. But holistically, both streams focus on the overall aesthetic appeal of their designs in order to please the consumer or buyer.

Disagreed

A point which I disagreed on was how design can be considered to be one thing to everyone. Someone said that everyone should have the same opinion, perspective and idea of what a design can represent. I disagree with this notion because design should be relative to its viewer. A designer can create design for one purpose but what the audience and buyer decides to do with it is completely up to them to decide.

This exercise gave me a proper understanding of what design means to me and helped me process it better. I also got to gain more knowledge on my desired streams which are communication and interior designing by looking at other people’s perspective in order to gain a more interconnected approach.

Process Work for Mind mapping:

I then narrowed down communication design to another facet within it which is “Packaging”. I brainstormed aspects that come underneath it and jotted down ideas I’ve always associated packaging with and what the purpose of this stream is.

Here is my essay on “Parts of a Whole” with regard to Communication Design:

Looking at design holistically, we can gauge that at the basis of every concept, idea or brand there is some kind of communication. Communication is the primary mode of imparting knowledge and visual notions. Whether it is through our art, designs, literature or even mathematical equations, it all comes down to the basics of communication. One crucial aspect that comes with being a designer is information sharing. Designers should be able to deftly communicate their ideas, products through prototype illustrations, interior spaces through visual layouts and fashion concepts through basic human sketches and drawings of clothes. The communication factor is interrelated and woven into all of these streams and disciplines, making information sharing a significant aspect in it.

Communication design is a multi-faceted stream. It consists of several elements within it, such as packaging, branding, logo designing, graphic designing, etc. With the help of these elements, the designer needs to establish a relationship between the visual and the viewer. In this way, there is an interaction between the audience and the designer, and a message to impart in a way that goes beyond words and is more compelling. Aesthetically speaking, a communication designer possesses the capability of communicating simply through visuals. If the design does not clearly represent a brand or give the audience a visual experience, then it means that the message hasn’t been sent out properly. Visual aesthetics and superficial aspects are important because they communicate a story, narrative, and identity for a particular topic, hence the aspect of communication is extremely important for every designer. 

For example, an important way of marketing a product, brand or any type of physical design in the communication design stream is through packaging. Packaging sets a precedent for the product before you use it. The packaging design displays an experience before you get your hands on it and get to experience it yourself, which is why as communication designers, it is crucial to understand and help the audience resonate with the experience.

In conclusion, communication design explores the strategy of expression of designs and creates a foundation to communicate ideas and voice creativity which otherwise cannot be expressed through any other method.

Final Mind map on Packaging