My Design Philosophy

Defining Design Philosophy

     A design philosophy is based on the designer's values and how they view design. Essentially, a design philosophy is truly dependent on the designer or firm. It is put in place to help you throughout your designing by making sure you have a purpose for each design. In many cases, "success" can vary from designer to designer based on their philosophy. Without a design philosophy, a designer can struggle or lose what truly matters to them, making their work lack in creative and/or correct function. "At its most effective, a design philosophy pulls all of your detailed decisions together into a comprehensive point of view that your users will recognize as uniquely yours" (Design Strategy, 2021).

My Design Philosophy 

        It being so early in the design field, I often struggle to put my thoughts on paper and truly think outside of the box. As I learn and experience more, I will be able to fully grasp design and unlock my full potential as I've already seen the growth in such a short amount of time. As for my current design philosophy, it consist of a few major points:

• Function - As for most designers, function is the most important part in design as if it doesn't function for what is was made for then why was it made. As of now I focus on the function part more than anything based on the fact that I don't know what I don't know.

• In a project from my freshman year, I found myself struggling early as I was thinking inside four walls. The project made me think of function but still giving it its own twist. Making a fire place under a roof, but the roof gives access to let the smoke out.

    

Hikers Shelter Exterior View
-Anthony Helwig
 

        

• Culture - When I am designing, I truly like to keep the cultural reference in my work. Keeping that representation in the work still shows the roots of what the design was based on but with my own unique twist to it. Learning about different cultures while designing also opens up new ideas in future work and expands the mind.

• Another project from my freshman year shows the cultural representation in it. The term "Shibui" is a Japanese word that refers to a particular aesthetic of simple, subtle, and unobtrusive beauty. I went with a Japanese design to represent the origin of the project.

Shibui Walls Project
- Anthony Helwig

• Simple, But Not Too Simple - Only scratching the surface of design, I often catch myself thinking inside of the box. As for myself I enjoy more simple designs and colors but as a designer I won't be designing things for just me. As I'm learning to expand my design canvas, it will better be shown in my designs. In this day in age the "modern" look has been very popular but it can often come out as basic or simple. I want to be simple but not too simple to the point where it comes look every other design.
  

Moving Forward in Design

    As I progress in the design field, I fully expect my design philosophy to expand as I receive new information and experience more. Just looking back from a year ago until now, my perspective on design has already changed. I am excited to continue to look back on this in a few years and see how my point of view has changed.

References

• DesignGuru. (2023, January 26). The impact of culture in design. Medium. https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/the-impact-of-culture-on-design-ad33689e5b2d 
• Waddington, J. (2023, August 22). What is a design philosophy & how to create one. Uizard. https://uizard.io/blog/what-is-a-design-philosophy-and-how-to-create-one/#:~:text=A%20design%20philosophy%20helps%20you,a%20meaningful%20definition%20of%20success.
• Weaver, J. (2015, December 31). What is your design philosophy?. Medium. https://hairyelefante.medium.com/what-is-your-design-philosophy-a32d43985899