A Designer's Research Manual

Doing research can make all the difference between a great
design and ineffective design. By engaging in competitive
intelligence, customer profiling, color and trend forecasting,
etc., designers are able to bring something to the table that
reflects a commercial value for the client beyond a wellcrafted
logo or brochure. Although scientific and analytical
in nature, research is the basis of all good design work. This
book provides a comprehensive manual for designers on
what design research is, why it is necessary, how to do it,
and how to apply it to design work.

Associate professor Jenn Visocky O’Grady is a
graduate of the Kent State University visual communication
design program (BS, & MFA), and has
been teaching at Cleveland State since the spring of
1999. She is also cofounder and principal of Enspace
Inc.

Ken Visocky O’Grady is an assistant professor of
visual communication design. He holds his BS/MFA
from Kent State University. In addition to his teaching
duties, Ken is a principal at the Enspace Creative
Group, a company that he cofounded in 1998 with
his wife, Jennifer (Bay Village, OH).