Lesson 2: Applying Quality Standards
Introduction
Applying quality standards is crucial in visual graphic design to ensure that
the final output meets the desired standards of excellence. This involves
assessing the quality of received materials, evaluating one's own work, and
continuously seeking opportunities for quality improvement. By following
these practices, we will be able to enhance the overall quality of our designs
and deliver exceptional results. We shall explore each topic in more detail in
this lesson.
Topic 1: Assessing Quality of Received Materials
The quality of materials is important in both the design process and the final
visual outcome of graphic design projects. Assessing and selecting the right
materials—such as paper, ink, and digital assets—determine their
effectiveness in conveying the intended visual message. The caliber of these
materials directly influences the aesthetic appeal and durability of the design
work. That is why, investing in better materials isn't just a cost; it's a crucial
step in creating work that stands out and withstands time.
In assessing materials to be used in producing your output, make sure to do
the following:
1. Be familiar with the variety of materials you can choose from.
2. Determine the types of materials you need to create your output.
3. Assess the materials for completeness and suitability. Test out the
material first before applying it to your work.
o For example, if you have recently purchased graphic design
software, try it out on a sample project before using it for your
main project.
o Refer to industry standards for guidance on expected quality
levels.
o Follow established procedures to evaluate the quality, taking into
account technical aspects like resolution and color accuracy.
4. Accurately interpret and understand any specifications or symbols to
assess the materials' quality based on the given criteria.
5. If any faults, defects, or errors are identified during the assessment,
document them and then contact your supplier or the item’s service
center for assistance in fixing or replacing it.
By following these assessment procedures and considering the relevant
factors, designers can evaluate the quality of received materials effectively.
This evaluation ensures that the materials meet the desired standards and
form a solid foundation for creating high-quality visual graphic designs.
Topic 2: Assessing Own Work
While taste is subjective, adhering to the fundamental principles of visual
graphic design is essential for effective communication and achieving
desired outcomes. Design serves to solve problems through visual solutions.
Therefore, evaluating your design before submission is a good practice to
ensure its effectiveness in conveying the intended message.
Here are a few questions you should ask yourself to assess your own work.
1. Does the design achieve its purpose?
For example, if you are designing a landing page with the goal of persuading
users to sign up for a newsletter subscription, ask yourself if your design
includes all the necessary information viewers need to be persuaded to sign
up for the newsletter. Does the design also include all the necessary links?
Additionally, ensure that your design adheres to the creative brief.
2. Is the message easy to understand?
Good designs have messages that are instantly readable and a focal point.
They follow a visual hierarchy that determines which design element should
the viewers look at first. Ask yourself if you followed the principles of
typography and that the text is legible. Also, ensure that you did not put too
much information in your design as the viewers’ attention may veer away
from it when they find it too taxing to take in.
3. Is your design aesthetically pleasing?
As mentioned earlier, our taste in design is subjective, but there are
principles for us to follow in our designs. With that said, aesthetically
pleasing designs should have a layout, composition, and color scheme that
adhere to the principles of design.
4. Is your design audience-appropriate?
The creative brief will most likely indicate who the design is intended for. For
example, the landing page design you are making is targeted towards
mothers of infants. Do you think using a dark color scheme is appropriate for
your design?
5. Is your design original?
Make sure to avoid copyright infringement. Always aim for the creativity and
uniqueness that will elevate the product you are designing for. In your
research, include double-checking if there are existing designs that are
similar to yours already.
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, make the necessary revisions
to your design. Note both the issue and the changes you made to resolve it,
especially if you deviated from the client's brief. Should this occur, inform
your client when you submit the design.
Topic 3: Quality Improvement
Clearly defined standards serve as the company’s measure of the success or
effectiveness of their product/service/system. With these standards,
companies can identify which of their systems, procedures, or outputs are
working or need to be improved. All of these lead to customer satisfaction,
which can translate to trust in the business, and profit for businesses.
There are two (2) quality engagement processes that are relevant in the ICT
sector.
1. ISO Standards and IEC Standards
2. Environmental and Safety Standards
ISO Standards and IEC Standards
ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. It is an
international nongovernmental organization that develops and promotes
international standards for technology, scientific testing processes, working
conditions, societal issues, etc. ISO established the ISO 9001:2015
certification, which sets the standards on quality management systems
(QMS). To ensure that the quality management system implemented in the
workplace follows the ISO standards, quality procedures must be set up.
Quality procedures must involve the purpose of the process, the responsible
party, the method, tools, and outputs of the process.
Quality Procedures
1. Quality Manual - this document defines that scope of the quality
management system, the general presentation of the organization
activities, the organization’s structure and content, needs and
expectations of interested parties, a general description of the main
process and the relation between the working process and the QMS,
and a list of all the organization’s procedures and exclusions, which are
ISO 9001 Standard requirements that are not applicable to the
organization’s activity or nature. While the quality manual is not a
procedure itself, it is still required to maintain this document and its
inclusions.
2. Control of Documents - this step indicates the process of controlling
and acquiring the documents included in the QMS.
3. Control of Records - the process of controlling records included in the
QMS, as well as how to achieve the requirements, specified in this step.
It includes or refers to a list of all documentation involved in quality
management.
4. Internal Audits - this procedure specifies how to perform an internal
audit in the organization.
5. Control of Nonconformity - this indicates the procedure in handling
nonconformity once detected.
6. Corrective Action - this procedure specifies how to implement a
corrective action based on the nonconformities found.
These procedures serve as a guide to ensure a quality management system
is being implemented in an organization.
Another set of international standards that is relevant to the ICT sector is
the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. The IEC is
responsible for establishing standards for electronic technologies, and
collaborates with other standards bodies such as the ISO, the International
Telecommunication Union, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE).
The standards that the IEC and ISO collaborated on are identified by the
prefix ISO/IEC. Here are some of the popular ISO/IEC standards:
1. ISO/IEC 7498 - a set of standards that define the Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) universal reference model for communication
protocols.
2. ISO/IEC 27000 - a family of standards for information technology
security techniques
3. ISO/IEC 31000 - a family of standards that defines a risk management
framework for standardizing definitions of risk-associated terms and
provides guidelines for any person, business or agency. It also
describes the approach to managing risks, which includes risk
identification, risk analysis, risk evaluation, and risk assessment.
To know more about these standards you can visit [Link] or [Link].
Environmental and Safety Standards
On the other hand, the Environmental and Safety Standards are established
to ensure that companies do not harm the environment and in the process,
their employees, as they perform their functions. Through these standards,
hazards and risks on the environment, health, and safety are identified, and
thus mitigates their significant impact on the environment and the
employees.
The following are some examples of environmental and workplace safety
standards:
1. Utilize printing inks with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
to reduce environmental impact.
2. Choose materials that are recyclable or made from sustainable sources
to minimize waste.
3. Implement proper disposal methods for waste materials, such as ink
cartridges, paper scraps, and packaging, following local regulations
and recycling guidelines.
4. Minimize paper usage by utilizing digital proofs, sharing files
electronically, and adopting efficient printing practices.
5. Use energy-efficient computers, monitors, and printers to reduce
electricity consumption.
6. Power down equipment when not in use to conserve energy and
reduce environmental impact.
7. Establish a comfortable and ergonomic workspace to prevent physical
strain or injuries during extended design sessions.
8. Ensure good ventilation, especially if using materials with fumes.
Consider the use of exhaust systems or work in well-ventilated areas.
9. Provide and encourage the use of appropriate PPE, such as gloves or
masks, when working with potentially harmful materials.
10. Adhere to local, national, and international regulations regarding
environmental standards and workplace safety.
11. Ensure that visual designs consider accessibility standards,
making them usable for individuals with diverse abilities.
12. If working remotely, encourage designers to set up ergonomic
workspaces at home to prevent health issues.
13. Use secure digital collaboration tools to protect sensitive client
information and designs.
14. Consider the ethical sourcing of materials and support suppliers
with responsible environmental and social practices.
15. Engage in community initiatives or support causes that align with
environmental and social responsibility.
References
Creger, R., & Rebecca. (2021, March 25). How to evaluate the quality of your
design. 99designs. [Link]
Environment and Workplace Safety | Compliance Services. (n.d.).
[Link]
Loshin, P., & Steele, C. (2021, October 29). ISO (International Organization
for Standardization). Data Center.
[Link]
Quality procedures according to the ISO 9001 Standard requirements. (2017,
March 5). ISO 9001 – Quality Management Knowledge Center.
[Link]
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