A way of undertaking a research phase in graphic design

This paper highlights the importance of design research and encourages an understanding of design tools that engage society and people. Twenty groups, a total of sixty students, were asked to participate in this project and they used an IDEO tool kit. A total of three surveys were given. One survey was given to the participants before participating in the project and another after the project. The last survey was given to six experts to evaluate the students' work. Preliminary analysis found that students, prior to participating in the project, replied heavily on Internet research and a literature review, and did not display a structured research process. Primary analysis showed that the groups that spent more time on research and utilised design tools performed better, particularly those utilising ‘observation’ techniques.