In 1-2 paragraphs, discuss the effect strict limitations, such as a very limited budget or the unavailability of certain design tools, might have on the design process.
Use some of this information for the question:
The Magnolia Room is a popular local florist. Although it invests in several forms of advertising, such as television and radio commercials and placing ads in the yellow pages, the small florist depends mostly on word of mouth to attract new customers. Past surveys have revealed that the majority of new customers come from client referrals rather than paid advertisements, so the owner has decided to cut the advertising budget by 20 percent. She wants to keep the television and radio ads as they are, so the ad in the yellow pages must be changed. After presenting the new budget to the telephone company, the new parameters for the less expensive advertisement were set. The ad will be reduced in size, images removed, and all color changed to black and white. The owner of The Magnolia Room is a little worried that making these changes will reduce the advertisement’s ability to attract attention and wonders if she should just get rid of the advertisement all together.
What is the problem?
Possible response: There are two problems presented in this case scenario. The first is: Should the owner of The Magnolia Room quit advertising in the yellow pages? The second is: Can a good design result from these strict limitations?
Are there multiple solutions for the problem? (Suggest at least two solutions.)
Possible response: Given that you divided the main problem in this situation into two separate problems, there are at least two solutions. The Magnolia Room could pull its ad from the yellow pages and invest that extra money in television and radio ads, but that’s not really necessary. The owner can instead follow the second suggested solution to the first problem (Should the owner of The Magnolia Room quit advertising in the yellow pages?) by continuing to advertise in the yellow pages.
The answer to the second problem (Can a good design result from strict limitations?) is yes. In spite of harsh restrictions, designers can definitely create eye-catching advertisements. In light of the restrictions (no color or images and a reduced size), designers can still come up with some great solutions to design problems working with standard principles of type, line, and space.
How can design be used to solve this problem?
Possible response: Despite the restrictions, you are still left with type, line, and space with which to develop the design. Creatively using these design elements can result in a very successful advertisement.
Can strict limitations on design tools (e.g., size, image, color) make design impossible? Or can such limitations actually enhance creativity? Explain.
Possible response: As you can see from the suggested designs above, strict limitations on design can force the designer to get even more creative with the few tools available. As a matter of fact, a good strategy to use when designing something is to begin by limiting the design to one element, such as type, line, or shape. When you’ve exhausted all of your ideas with that one element, add another. Keep building your design using one element at a time and watch your artwork grow. Of course, you don’t always have to use all elements of design to create a successful piece of art. Just look at the four designs for The Magnolia Room to see how only a few elements can create great, eye-catching designs! According to modern architect of the twentieth century Mies van der Rohe, “Less is more.” Van der Rohe suggested cutting unnecessary ornament and decoration from building designs in order to make them “modern.” He created limitations in order to enhance his designs.