This week, our lecture focused on the importance of storyboards and mind maps in the design process, helping us visualise ideas and plan projects before creating the final product. It also helped us understand how to communicate and present our base ideas in different settings. We also had a guest talk from David Henderson from DHD, who shared valuable insights into the design industry and placement opportunities, which I found really inspiring and informative that will strengthen my understanding of how to plan, visualise, and develop my design ideas effectively.
Storyboards are visual planning tools that outline the flow, structure, and sequence of a project through a series of sketches or frames. They act as a visual script, showing how different moments, screens, or design elements will connect and progress. In my case, as a designer, storyboarding can help me translate my ideas into a visual format, allowing me to see how my concepts will function and flow before I begin creating the final design. It’s especially useful for planning digital experiences, such as websites or apps, where user interaction and navigation need to feel smooth and intentional.
The importance of storyboards in the design process lies in how they bring clarity, direction, and foresight. They allow designers to experiment with structure, composition, and pacing early on, which helps identify any potential issues or weak points before time and effort are spent on final production. For me, this process ensures that my projects are more cohesive and user-focused, as I can visualise how each part contributes to the overall experience. It ultimately makes my workflow more efficient and helps communicate my design ideas more clearly to others
One of the main exercises we carried out in class today was a group activity that focused on the early development and ideation for our next project, designing an educational application based on the 15 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For this exercise, we were paired up and tasked with creating a storyboard that represented one of the goals. In my group, it was me, Holly, and Jared, and we worked really well together from the start. We decided to focus on Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. We quickly established our approach and divided the tasks evenly, which made the process flow smoothly and efficiently. By the end of the session, we had developed a clear and easy-to-follow storyboard that visually represented our chosen SDG concept. Although I already feel confident creating storyboards, this collaborative exercise was extremely beneficial. It allowed me to learn from others’ ideas, explore new perspectives, and gain inspiration for how I can approach my own storyboard designs in our upcoming project.
Towards the end of our class, we had the opportunity to meet with DHD, a Belfast-based creative design agency known for its work in branding, digital design, and strategy. The session was led by Director David Henderson and recent graduate Hope Graham, and I found it particularly insightful. David discussed their design process, the type of projects they work on, and how students like us could benefit from getting involved with a company like theirs. As DHD is one of the companies I’ve been interested in applying for, it was great to gain a deeper insight into their work. I also had a quick one-to-one chat with both David and Hope, where I showcased my current portfolio and received helpful feedback and advice. Overall, it was a really engaging and motivating session that has made me even more eager to apply for a placement with DHD.
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This week’s lecture was very interactive and informative, focusing more on practical development rather than our usual lecture format, which I found really beneficial. The highlight was the group exercise, where we worked together to create a storyboard for our next project, designing an educational app for the SDGs campaign. It was a great collaborative task that encouraged creative thinking and teamwork. We also heard from DHD about potential placement opportunities, which were both inspiring and motivating. Overall, it was a productive and engaging session that has helped push my focus toward developing my projects and preparing for future placements.
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