How to create a basic concept

27
HOW TO CREATE A CONCEPT A SHORT INTRODUCTION. IDFCTRY.COM

description

What is concept thinking? A really short introduction to the basis elements of concept thinking. 27 pages with minimal text and a lots of examples.

Transcript of How to create a basic concept

Page 1: How to create a basic concept

how to createa concepta short introDUction.

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 2: How to create a basic concept

i aM

occUpation : creatiVe at iDFctrY.coMeDUcation : the DUtch acaDeMY oF art anD Design

rietVelD acaDeMie aMsterDaM.philosophY : eVerYthing is a chance.thinks : realitY is chaosnaïeVe belieF : eVerYboDY is creatiVe.MotiVation : let’s Make better Mistakes toMorrow.

Do YoU haVe a Design project YoU neeD help with? i woUlD loVe to hear aboUt it. please senD an eMail: [email protected]

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 3: How to create a basic concept

Creating concepts is trying to think of ways that the impossible seems probable!

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 4: How to create a basic concept

what is a concept?

in one sentence:

it is a storY.a concept is a story told with two major components:content (what it’s told) and Form (how it’s told)

Note: In relation to (graphic) design, everything is a concept or an adaption of a concept. From a logo to live events. Everything tells a story. Preferably the same.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_and_content

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 5: How to create a basic concept

Is it worth all the trouble? Yes!

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 6: How to create a basic concept

how Do YoU tell a storY?

how do you tell a story? simple. every story has a beginning, a middle and an end*.

to get the nessary input, just ask the right questions.

this sounds a little zen, grasshoppers, but:

At the heart of every question lies the answer

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnoJwfnzmqA (Classic Sesame Street)

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 7: How to create a basic concept

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCyJRXvPNRo

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 8: How to create a basic concept

The fenomenale sculpture Rodin believed it was not he who sculpted the statues out of the marble.The statues where already in the rocks, all he had to do is reveal them.

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 9: How to create a basic concept

1+1= 2 (wrong?)1+1=11 (right?)to get you on your way to asking the right questions. Use the 5w’s and h*.

I always start every project using this method. The answers found this way are my guide during a concept project. They are my starting point of thinking and my checklist when finishing a project.

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Ws

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 10: How to create a basic concept

Search google: stupid diesel. Watch this brilliant concept for diesel. It’s all about the story between logic and illogic.

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 11: How to create a basic concept

how Do the FiVe w’s anD hwork in actionwho? For whom is the concept meant.

Be specific. Think in persons, not in groups

what? What’s the essence? Look beyond the obvious: Insurance companies sells “peace of mind” not insurances

when? What is the moment the concept is consumed?

where? What is the best way or place to reach its audience?

how?* What is to be used to give the audience the message?

why? The purpose. Why is it important?

Try to be poetic in your thinking!*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persuasion

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 12: How to create a basic concept

Good pictures tells you more then a thousand words.

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 13: How to create a basic concept

beware oF the whY answer!whY is not how (?)lesser gods among us, use a how answers to a why question. this a common mistake.Example: Why are polar bears white?A how answer is as follows: Polar bears are white because snow is white. This sounds right and clear and for most people it is satisfying.

A why answer is as follows: Polar bears come in any color as long, as long it is successful in its environment. If snow where to be purple. Polarbears where purple. It is not the snow that makes him white it is the ability to survive that makes him white.

How answers leaves less options open, as WHY answers leaves all options over to think further. And that is what concept thinking is all about: think further.

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 14: How to create a basic concept

Why are polarbears the color they are? There is no reason to be white.

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 15: How to create a basic concept

the creatiVe brieF (1)a note to MY special FrienDFive w’s? but i thought a concept starts with a creative brief (cb)?

true. and ideally a good cb has all the input needed to use the Five w’s.

in basic a cb is a Five w’s story in itself.

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 16: How to create a basic concept

why is it then that a cb is not a concept generation document?

because cb’s have buildt-in conflicts.

A CB has conclusions for the “to be created concept” before there is a clear vision on that concept.

These flaws are especially seen in the deliverables, budget and mandatory elements parts.

the creatiVe brieF (2)iD

Fctr

Y.co

M

Page 17: How to create a basic concept

Example: A CB for a soft-drink brand dictates the use of print ad’s. That sounds oke? Not! The created concept is beter executed on live events, it doesn’t need print. These kind of conflicts are to expected in every CB.

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 18: How to create a basic concept

the creatiVe brieF (3)

nevertheless good creative brief are rare. in most cases you have to create answers yourself.

it is amazing to see how many clients (not all) have no idea on what they are doing or sell.

Example: A insurance company doesn’t sell insurance’s. The’re selling Peace of Mind. How many employes of those company’s say that on a parties to there friends, when asked what do for a living.

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 19: How to create a basic concept

Don’t be afraid to Make Stuf Up to proof a point. Don’t lie, but bend information as its fits the purpose

“We’re in the business of creating, not science”

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 20: How to create a basic concept

a tale oF two creatiVe brieFs- the aVerage oneUsed in many different agencies. with some varieties here and there, but in general:Background What is the background of the project? Why is it being done?Target audience What do they already think about this subject? Is there anything that should be avoided?Objectives What is to be accomplished? How will this be measured and success understood?Single message What is the one thing to tell the audience? What is the single thing they should remember

about the offering? How will they believe what we say?Mandatory What are the mandatory elements such as the client’s logo, address and so forth.Deliverables What is to be used to give the audience the message?

What is the best way or place to reach this audience?Timeline How soon is this needed? When is it expected to be done? How many rounds (revisions) will

this project undergo?Budget How much can be spent to get this developed? Is there any budget needed to publish/flight

the creative?Approvals Who needs to give the “okay”?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_brief

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 21: How to create a basic concept

Remember: “A good concept is more than the sum of its parts.”

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 22: How to create a basic concept

a tale oF two creatiVe brieFs- the brilliant onethis how the ideal brief shout be. keywords aretrust and respect. basically, it says:“ Do your thing the best

way you can.”

http://www.swiss-miss.com/2009/10/the-perfect-brief.html

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 23: How to create a basic concept

The briefing resultated in the album’s artwork cover for Sticky Fingers.

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 24: How to create a basic concept

Final sUM Up

• a concept is a story.• ask the right questions• why questions make you think.• be poetic in your thinking.• Question everything. always!

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 25: How to create a basic concept

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 26: How to create a basic concept

to get YoU starteD the right waYsince there are a milion ways ask yourself questions and brainstorm, you might think: “how do i start?”

i’ve put together a sum of brainstorm methods:“how to have a briljant brainstorm” Here on slideshare:http://www.slideshare.net/chungkong/how-to-have-a-briljant-brainstorm

iDFc

trY.

coM

Page 27: How to create a basic concept

DisclaiMer

the inForMation in this DocUMent is intenDeD For inForMational anD eDUcational pUrposes onlY, to proViDe reaDers better UnDerstanDing.

all DesignateD traDeMarks, branDs anD iMages are the propertY oF their respectiVe owners.please respect theM.

iDFc

trY.

coM