Research for Designers

Proper research provides the basis for superior presentations and is a necessary part of branding and design process. The research process is made of these stages:

• Planning
• Source identification
• Assessment
• Note taking
• Making sense of the data

Planning. Good research requires planning, otherwise you might end up collecting a lot of irrelevant data. Brainstorm for five minutes, and jot down the questions you need answered. Refer to your list as you research to stay on track.

Source identification. With your questions in hand, consider what your sources may be. The internet should not be your only source. Consider primary research (data you collect) and secondary research (data other people have collected).

Assessment. As you research, assess the credibility of your sources. Does the newspaper or book have an agenda that would influence their point of view? Commercials promoting milk as a healthy product may be less persuasive when you consider the Dairy Farmers Association paid for the ads. Be critical of the research you review.

Note taking. Record information about your sources, so that you have the research and can find it again if necessary. Take notes of when and where you found the information (include all publication dates and information), relavant statistics, names, ideas, etcetra. Quotations, with the person’s name, title, and affiliations, where the person quoted is famous or would add credibility/validity to the research.

Make sense of the data. It’s nice that you’ve got all this research, but it’s of no use unless you must make meaningful sense of it. Compare the information to your original questions. Ask yourself:

• Have my original questions been answered?
• What new questions have cropped up in my research?
• What surprising information have I found?
• What significant themes and points run through my findings?
• How can I present my findings most effectively?

Research Sources

Libraries. Public libraries contain reference sections, with catalogs, indexes, and other references that anyone can access, and reference librarians can help you find what you’re looking for. If your local library doesn’t have the magazine, journal, or book you want, they may be able to transfer it from another branch, or access it online. College libraries also have reference sections, and keep trade journals and other references on hand. If you’re not a student, you should still be able to access them in person.

Bookstores and publishers. You may was to check web-based bookstores like Amazon, or college bookstores for industry-specific books and journals, if you are specializing in those industries. Check the publishing houses – they may have other relevant publications specific to that industry.

The internet. Of course, you know this. Here are a few resources you might not know about: www.adage.com; www.bigbook.com; www.marketingpower.com; www.allonesearch.com; www.inform.com

Got any more research sources? Let me know in the comments.