Atlatl Design Methodology

What is design methodology and how will it impact my project?

“The careful balance of multiple design methods with the appropriate application of skills & capabilities leads to the identification of the right questions and guides us to superior solutions"
-Steven Sauer, IDSA

1. Use of basic design theories applied to real and hypothetical social and psychological situations.
2. Application of multiple design methods and approaches based on the needs of the client and project constraints.
3. Critique of individual design methods and the investigation of status quo issues that come to light during the process.
4. Examination of periphery issues that lead to complete understanding of user needs and usage scenarios.

Which design method is best?

Depends on what firm you ask.

Some firms employ a single design method that they perfect and can duplicate over and over again. There are a few problems with gearing your process around a single method.

This ultimately limits the firm’s abilities to “see the unseen” problems or solutions that will arise along the way. Also, these firms have a tendency to be inflexible when it comes to changing the development process along the way.

Ask yourself these questions…

Will your chosen firm shy away from investigating new solutions in order to protect their “brand” or method?
If a better solution develops along the way, how will your firm react to it?
Are you sure that new information won’t be censored along the way to prevent a firm from having to rework once solved problems?
How will your firm work with and adapt to other entities that may be added to a project along the way?

If situations arise during the process that change the scope of the project or change the direction of the design, is that not a logical part of the process between points A to Z?

I don’t believe in staying with something that’s not working just because you are “so far down the path”. As designers it is our job to find a cost effective solution for such a problem, and I never stop exploring options.
Part of the design process is finding out what things are not working, and then avoiding the pitfalls that accompany those issues.

This line of questioning may seem dangerous to the design process. Seems like a recipe for higher development costs? Well, it is if you are dealing with a larger firm that is supporting wages of people that are not even working on your project. Sometimes you need to move backward in order to start moving down a better path, but financially larger firms can’t always do this.

Here are a few things to think about.

Time=Money …but only if the method of design is supported by time constraints.

Atlatl changes the equation of the working relationship by offering greatly reduced rates in trade for backend profits. This future income can be in the form of small royalties, equity in a company, or even shared licensing rights. The key to this relationship is that Atlatl's financial success is fundamentally tied to the product's success. This is the preferred situation, and the client benefits by saving capitol that can be allocated for product launch.

Here is the problem with straight fee for work scenarios: if the firm is running out of available hours, the quickest possible solution will be reached, whether or not it is the best solution, it’s what you will receive because that’s what fit your budget.

This is a closer match to the Atlatl Design equation…

Creativity+Devotion=Long Term Profit

It is my belief that the most creative and groundbreaking design happens when the client/designer relationship starts down a long-term path that is set forth from the beginning. As a designer, I will work harder, faster and longer when I know that the quality of the work I produce has a direct link to my future well being. I will pursue projects with the same devotion that I apply to my own endeavors because you are a teammate vs. a client.

Locked up in the “branding” of design services is usually a certain aesthetic as well as a push for aspects of a design that will benefit the firm’s portfolio. This hints at the other problem; Inflexibility when it comes to working with a client’s method, guidelines or network.

Yes, we are experts and should be recognized for that. Our opinions should be taken seriously, but we also need to realize that the product, service or client is a unique entity that deserves a unique solution. Creativity can be cultivated through a policy of open ears and eyes. Listen to the concerns and thoughts of everyone involved and you will find forward thinking solutions that benefit the client beyond the product being designed.

Why ask why?

• If you don’t ask you won’t know.
• If you don’t know, you can’t change.
• If you can’t change, you’ll be left behind.

The graphics for this site are developed by Atlatl Design. This Site is coded and maintained by 3wavestudio.com