In order to solve problems successfully you have to develop a method of approach to visual design as under :

5 - 01 MOTIVATION:
Accept the problem totally, determine your own reasons for working on it, develop a willingness to seek alternatives so that you can have more and more experience in handling the type of visual solution expected of you.

5 - 02 TASK IDENTIFICATION:
Define the problem, analyse the problem word by word and understand it. Consider each word carefully.

5 - 03 RESEARCH:
Find out what is an existing solution to such problem. Has any other designer solved the problem in a similar manner? Then go beyond the solution which already exists. Do a literature survey through libraries, books, etc.

5 - 04 IDEATION:
Try and create maximum alternatives, don't rule out any possibility, trust your intuition. As a rule don't accept the first solution. Develop a series of concepts. See if problem can be solved by other methods. In short push yourself to think laterally.

5 - 05 CONSTRAINTS:
In addition to the constraints built into the problem consider these additional limitations
TIME -- How long will it take you to execute the solution? How much time have you been given? How much time will you commit for research
MATERIALS -- Which materials are readily available in a given time period?
TECHNICAL SKILLS -- Judge your ability to work with the materials given to you by the teacher
COST -- How much you can spend and how much are you willing to spend? Is the difference affordable?

5 - 06 SELECTION:
Consider your options and then select the best solution based on the research you produced.

5 - 07 IMPLEMENTATION:
While implementing your ideas, execute and fabricate them in the best workmanship and give form to your conceptual solutions.

5 - 08 EVALUTION:
Reread the problem statement and the assignment given earlier and judge the effectiveness of are your solutions, how innovative are you, evaluate your craftsmanship and method of presentation.

5 - 09 REFINEMENT:
React positively to your evaluation and work out a method or strategy to make something exceptional next time

5 - 10 PRESENTATION:
Try and justify your decisions and visual concepts verbally, without trying to use words "I like it" or "I don't like it". During the basic design course you are expected to improve your vocabulary by active participation in the criticism and discussion

5 - 11 PUSH YOUR BOUNDARIES:
Try and push yourself beyond the imaginary boundaries which your mind has decided. Don't say that, "But, I thought we couldn't, I thought we are not allowed", and so on. The purpose of pushing your boundaries is to extend the limits of your work, to avoid limitation and in the process to develop practical solutions.

5 - 12 SETTING STANDARDS:
You should set standards for yourself and plan to surpass. Those students who make excuses about the content, composition or craftsmanship have compromised with their standards. Learn to be proud of your work. Learn to be proud of your problem solving ability. No creative designer has ever produced solutions without making compromise in design process.

5 - 13 SELF JUDGEMENT:
Try to be a very good student or a very bad student. Never identify yourself as a mediocre student who is just competent enough to imitate or get influenced by ideas of others and so on. In this case there are chances that you will be bored and lose interest in basic design. This basic design course is the time for testing your abilities and making a decision about your career.

5 - 14 INNOVATION Vs IMITATION:
Although it is impossible not to be influenced by your environment, there is a distinct difference between being influenced and resorting to plagiarism. Plagiarism is considered undesirable in the field of art. You must remain perceptive and receptive to the ideas of others. You can't spend time reinventing the wheel each time you attempt to solve a problem. Be aware of past solutions. An assurance of success makes imitation of visual art products very tempting. Unfortunately imitation is very prevalent in applied design.

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