ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces and explores the way design processes begin. It discusses the way designers tend to work in a solution-focussed manner. That is to say that the emphasis of their efforts is in moving towards solutions rather than extensive analysis of problems. Why this should be so is explored. Examples of such a design process are introduced. The nature of the design brief is examined and the idea that it can never be comprehensive is explored. The relationship between designing and brief-making is explored. We conclude that designing is as much about finding problems as it is about creating solutions. However, it remains the case that most problems in design are found by critically examining the success or otherwise of proposed solutions.
