Aura99 is my company name and online portfolio of design work, my skills and my abilities which I have used to address the challenges that are truly valuable, from an economic, social and cultural perspective for my clients. I am specific and clear about what it is I actually do, getting immersed in my clients´ work and needs alone or as part of a team. As with any successful project, both sides are winners. All this can only be successful by applying fundamental design activities and processes.
By using a shared process of design to articulate the context in which problems are solved with experience, skills and abilities. The design process has three phases with four distinct steps in each phase.
- The team first define the problem they are trying to solve – they articulate it, they give it boundaries (what´s part of the problem what´s outside our control). Helping to visualise and express the problem or problems in human terms – looking at it form many different angles.
- Then we envision the end state. Knowing what victory is becomes vital as we embark on to the journey of solving the problem. As designers we can help prototype the end state (through scenarios, models, journey–map´s, etc.)
- Next we will define the approach by which victory will be achieved. Once we know where you want to go (as defined in phase 1: b), we need to create a map to get there. The map must be imprinted in the minds and
hearts of every participant along the way. We can make the map real.
- Inciting support – and then action. We need to inspire, convince, cajole and educate. As designers we call on our skills as communicators to help them see why they should come along for the journey.
- Once the core group is assembled, the next step is to look at the work ahead and be smart about it. It pays to research and seek insight that will enable the team to prototype a solution. We help structure that research and report its findings in an easily understood manner.
- Then comes the prototyping of solutions. That might mean physically producing the prototype; creating a one-off to see if it will work. In either case the client plays a critical role in the decision making.
- Delineating through choice. A good prototype (or prototypes) un-earth all sorts of unexpected data and insights. And from that, tough choices emerge.
- Should we include this feature or that?
- What if the solution costs more than the
client can afford?
- What if there are down sides
We can make these choices visible.
- Choosing the best solution is the culmination of many steps of hard work. We can visualise the case, see different sides of the problem and lay out the path for making a commitment to a given solution.
- Once a solution has been chosen, the next step is to ensure that people – customers, constituents and employees – know about it. Marketing the solution enables people to support the idea.
- Selling the solution. This process is greatly helped by design, so that people know what they are buying and what it is worth.
- Learn quickly, the most effective teams, of course, are those who enjoy learning and strive for improvement and quality.
