Do you still use the 5 stage process?

[vkw91]

For those of you that have ever been " formally educated" on a design type course, and for those of you who haven't, do you still use the 5 stage process? It just so intrieging as to how many still use it in the industry. According to my tutor, we will not get far in the industry without doing fully each of the following:

1. Research (including making mindmaps, moodboards, learning about the topic etc)
2. Initial Ideas (sketches on A3 - BY HAND - approx 20 ideas)
3. Developed Ideas (sketches on A3 - BY HAND - developing 2-3 ideas)
4. Final Idea (working out the fine details, again on A3 paper by hand)
5. Producing the final thing.

So, do you abide by the "rules"?

[webcosmo]

I always stick to these 5.

[vkw91]

I always stick to these 5.

Do you use an A3 Sketch book for each client, or just single sheets?

[JsD2K]

If you are trying to make a successful website then you should do each of these steps but TBH I can't imagine doing a website without those steps. I do each of those steps and I never even heard of the 5 stage process.

[Dan Schulz]

I "kinda do" this - though I don't use paper - I use a wireframe Web page mockup instead. I've found that it not only saves me time, but also allows me to determine if something truly is feasable or not.

Of course, your mileage may (and probably will) vary.

[JsD2K]

At PHPFreaks there was one guy who made his site in Photoshop then coded it.

[webcosmo]

Do you use an A3 Sketch book for each client, or just single sheets?

I must admit, I am not too organized in this. I use loose pieces of white papers I tried using a sketch book, but then it somehow always get back to loose papers.

[JsD2K]

I figure. Why go to store and buy paper when you can spend 800 dollars on Photoshop just so you don't have to stand up?