OUGD405 - Exploring research

Research is a process which use to solve a problem. However, research is a problem in itself.

10 reasons why research is an important part of graphic design:

• Informs you and helps your understanding of subject matter
• Inspires you on how to execute ideas
• Helps you to explore and experience your subject matter
• Helps you to understand your audience 
• Helps you to construct ideas
• Helps you to make decisions 
• Helps to compare your ideas/ is a form of feedback
• Helps you to put your ideas into context
• Helps you to develop a style and a professional approach
• Provides new lines of enquiry, IE ideas for further research

What diverse ways can we address the problem of monotonous, internet-based research?

• Visiting exhibitions/ events

To identify trends, competition and gain influences.

• Setting up focus groups 

To gain feedback on products/ concepts.

• Creating questionnaires 

To gain facts/ figures opinions

• Observations of real life/ universe/ everything

Inspiration can hit at any moment and can be from anywhere.

• Photographing peoples behaviour/ architecture/ surroundings/ relevant subjects

To document that inspiration!

• Market research into content through hands-on exploration

To understand your product/ concept/ idea from a hands-on point of view like your audience.

• Looking at previous (relevant) publications & historical examples

To learn about what has gone before!

• Experimenting with production methods

To innovate with new concepts.

• Watching TV 

To gather research about a specific audience.

• Reading and collecting written material 

To create visual research (graphs, piecharts)

• Talking to/ emailing people

To see what they know about the subject.

What physical forms does research take (in terms of documentation)?

• Quotes
• Opinions
• Analysis
• Statements
• Facts
• Statistics
• Feedback
• Analysis
• Photos (images)
• Photos (documentation of 3d forms & other visual material)
• Information
• Documents

10 ways in which we can improve our research methods as a group :(How-to brief : 26th Nov - 7th Dec 2012)

• Look at more written resources
• Conduct more experiments
• Visit more places relevant to subject matter
• Conduct more surveys that are relevant
• Explore target audiences
• Take more photographs
• Interview specialists
• Experiment with different media
• More detailed research
• More research about target audiences
• Broaden our research sources
• Refine subject matter

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10 most interesting research points found in 2 hours from my Research subject: Buddhism:(Research brief : 10th Dec 2012)

• Buddhism is considered a way of life, not necessarily a religion.
• 'Buddha' means 'awakened one' or 'enlightened one'
• The Buddha himself lived around 500-410BC. (Buddhism is around 2500 years old)
• Based on '4 noble truths'
• Geographically most popular areas of Buddhism are: India, central Asia and Eastern China.
• The Buddha found enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi tree, now a pilgrimage spot for Buddhists.
• There are over 150,000 Buddhists in Britain alone.
• There are 376 mil followers worldwide.
• Buddhists seek to reach a state of Nirvana through the practice and development of morality, meditation & wisdom.
• In Buddhism, there is no belief of a personal God. It is not centred on the relationship between humanity and God. 

9/10 are facts.

What prevents us from producing sufficient research?

• Questionable reliability of sources
• Geographical restraints
• Legal restrictions
• Limited time
• Too much time
• Costs
• Dead people/ past events
• Cooperation
• Outside limitations (eg client specifics)
• Lack of prior knowledge
• Confidence to collect primary research

**main problem is the wrong choice of research method! Find an alternative! don't make excuses!**