The Creative Process: Hahn Smith Design

Hahn Smith Design describes their working method...

We work with our clients to make design systems that work. While the work of our studio is diverse, our approach to solving problems is consistent. We outline targets and goals and identify critical success factors at the initiation of each project.

We research through engagement, interviews, discussion and analysis and gather observable, measurable evidence from a variety of sources; some directly linked, others more distant or abstract. 

We determine the design strategy to obtain project goals through insight and by establishing an appropriate plan of action. Based on resources and client collaboration, we establish obtainable targets driven by agreed upon milestones.

When designing, we always establish what something should do and what it should say before thinking about what it should look like. The creative process requires an inventive and intuitive imagination and, sometimes peculiar, sources of inspiration.

We have developed a studio environment to encourage this fermentation and distillation of ideas. We use critical thinking, cross-pollination of ideas and experience with different solutions from diverse sectors and projects to always circle back to the real problem at hand. First ideas are articulated and prototyped in our studio, where comparative analysis is essential to our process.

Client feedback and design development are also imperative to our incremental working method. During design development, we engage production experts or collaborate with manufacturers and other creative partners to move projects through to completion.

Lastly, we test and validate our work. Throughout the process, open communication with clients is essential for keeping work on track.

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