What are the most common methods of design communication?

1 Sketches and drawings

Sketches and drawings are the simplest and most intuitive methods of design communication. They allow you to quickly express your ideas, explore alternatives, and communicate with others. Sketches and drawings can be done by hand or using software tools, and they can range from rough sketches to detailed drawings. Sketches and drawings can show the shape, size, proportions, features, and layout of a design, as well as annotations, dimensions, and symbols. Sketches and drawings are useful for brainstorming, conceptualizing, and presenting your design.

2 Models and prototypes

Models and prototypes are physical or digital representations of a design that can be tested, evaluated, and improved. Models and prototypes can vary in their level of fidelity, complexity, and functionality, depending on the purpose and stage of the design process. Models and prototypes can show the appearance, structure, behavior, and performance of a design, as well as its interaction with the environment and users. Models and prototypes are useful for validating, verifying, and demonstrating your design.

3 Diagrams and charts

Diagrams and charts are graphical methods of design communication that can show the relationships, processes, flows, and structures of a design. Diagrams and charts can use symbols, shapes, colors, lines, arrows, and labels to convey information in a clear and concise way. Diagrams and charts can show the system, function, logic, data, hierarchy, and organization of a design, as well as its inputs, outputs, components, and interactions. Diagrams and charts are useful for analyzing, documenting, and explaining your design.

4 Reports and documents

Reports and documents are written methods of design communication that can provide detailed and comprehensive information about a design. Reports and documents can use text, images, tables, and graphs to present information in a structured and logical way. Reports and documents can cover the background, objectives, scope, methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations of a design project, as well as the assumptions, constraints, criteria, and standards that guide the design process. Reports and documents are useful for planning, reporting, and reviewing your design.

5 Presentations and pitches

Presentations and pitches are verbal and visual methods of design communication that can persuade and influence the audience about a design. Presentations and pitches can use speech, slides, videos, animations, and demonstrations to deliver a compelling and engaging message. Presentations and pitches can highlight the problem, solution, value proposition, benefits, features, and impact of a design, as well as the feedback, revisions, and next steps of the design process. Presentations and pitches are useful for selling, promoting, and communicating your design.

6 Collaboration and feedback

Collaboration and feedback are interactive and iterative methods of design communication that can improve and refine a design. Collaboration and feedback involve working with others, such as team members, stakeholders, experts, and users, to share ideas, opinions, suggestions, and critiques. Collaboration and feedback can use tools, such as online platforms, chat applications, video calls, and surveys, to facilitate communication and cooperation. Collaboration and feedback are useful for learning, iterating, and enhancing your design.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?