Design Concept Example: Objective and Principles

It’s easy to miss conceptualization because it occurs in the mind. Good design is built on strong concepts; even technically amazing ideas might fail if they don’t have strong concepts to back them up.

We’ll go through the objectives of conceptual design, some examples and effective design principles to follow.

The Concept of Design

Design is one of the art forms that should impact other people’s lives – it is not just a decorative piece. It should serve a greater purpose that is beneficial for society, or it should beautify a person’s life for the greater good.

Concept describes a design’s purpose and inspiration. The first step in designing is to look at the concept of the design.

Conceptual design occurs at the beginning of the design process, often before small elements like color schemes or illustration styles are finalized. All you’ll need is a pen and some paper to get started.

Objects that are designed must tell a story and evoke a certain feeling or emotion that the designer wants a viewer to experience.

There are many different types of conceptual design, but they all have one thing in common: they all begin with an idea.

Objectives of a Design Concept

An idea is given visual form through the process of conceptual design. As a result, conceptual design has three key objectives:

1. To establish a logical framework

Emotion and intuition are often at the heart of creative endeavors. Design must do something functional, such as delivering information or expressing a brand. It must also be visually appealing, whether as a logo or a computer program.

2. To establish a design language

Designers must bridge the gap between abstract ideas and visual qualities because the concept is ultimately simply a notion. In the design context, language refers to the use of design components to convey and evoke meaning.

The conceptual design phase, as previously stated, will not go as far as to prepare every aesthetic aspect. Still, it will create the framework for significant design choices later in the procedure.

3. For the purpose of originality

There’s a well-known saying that nothing is new, and to some extent, this is true. Design, like any other art form, has been around for a long time. Designers build on the ideas of those who came before them.

But at the very least, you should try to stand on the shoulders of these giants. And the most likely time for truly original ideas to come up is during the concept and ideation phase of the design process.

Design Concept Example in Various Fields

Design concepts could happen in any field of study. Consider a media-editing application that handles all aspects of a project so that users can concentrate on their job’s creative elements. 

In engineering, a design concept approach aims to increase productivity and efficiency in a given business area. Design concept examples in psychology would mean repetitive measures, independent groups, and match pairings. 

To experiment with psychology, divide the participants into two groups, one experimental and one control. We can modify the experimental group, but the control group should remain unchanged.

4 Simple and Effective Design Principles to Follow

Here are a few simple design principles you can use to help with your next project.

1. Rule of Thirds (Golden Ratio)

A golden ratio is usually present in both mathematical problems and aesthetics around the world. This ratio is a proportion of two quantities that is divisible by 3.

The golden ratio is among the simplest and most effective principles of design. It bears many different names and is used in various shapes and proportions.

This ratio is visually appealing, so many artists and architects rely on this ratio to create forms and compositions.

2. Similarity/Difference

Knowing when to use contrast and similarity in your designs is critical. Contrasting colors, shapes, and patterns can make a piece standout. The same can be done with similar colors, shapes, and patterns to make a piece more uniform and cohesive.

The use of similar elements enhances a design’s perception of harmony. Repetitive patterns and forms create compositions without a defining focal point. Backgrounds and shadows can also benefit from slight modifications.

3. Ease of Use

Good design isn’t just about aesthetics. It is about finding a balance between aesthetics and usability. Designers put a lot of time and effort getting a succinct balance of aesthetics and usability. This often comes in the form of a concept that is used in different products from different fields in the modern society.

It is important to ensure that the design is easy to use in the context of the user’s everyday life. You want to give people the chance to use your design in the most efficient way and this isn’t always a simple process.

Intricate designs can be seen in a wide range of creative works. Forms and shapes, or patterns and gradients can all contribute to a sense of simplicity.

4. Aesthetics and Structure

The design concept must communicate to the audience what is core about the brand and product it represents.

While form must be consistent with function, there is room for interpretation. Emotions are elicited in different ways by distinct shapes and directions. Sharp corners are frequently “harsher” and more “serious,” while rounded corners are often “gentler” and more “playful.”

There is a distinct difference between vertical and horizontal lines: vertical lines are more structured and alert, while horizontal lines are more relaxed.

Make sure your design has a distinct shape and direction. It’s important to think about your target audience and your brand’s purpose before you begin developing.

To Wrap Up

Practice these aspects in your art projects as it will provide you with a better success rate in your future design projects.

Design is the root of all creativity, so take the time to really craft your designs. Design may take time, but the end result is worth it.