It seems that our idea of research is either the internet (mostly Pinterest), or going to a library. And I’d say most of us choose Pinterest over even bothering with the library.

Pinterest is a fantastic resource for visual inspiration because it’s fun, easy, and fast. But you know who also uses Pinterest? People who aren’t in a Bona Fide Institution of Higher Education majoring in Graphic Design. Don’t be like them. You’re better than that. Pinterest will only tempt you with pretty packaging, trendy layouts, and edgy typography.

What happens when I try to “Research”:

Shun Pinterest because it’s the right thing to do. Go to the library instead because that’s where smart research-y people go. Spend hours and hours being super distracted by all the books. Move at a snail’s pace because it’s so quiet. Get tired. Feel like taking a nap. Carry super heavy books home. Look at all the books maybe once. Return books late.

It is true, libraries are daunting if you don’t know what you’re doing. But I think our idea of research shouldn’t be “black and white photograph of a guy looking at books through a magnifying glass” (static, impersonal, boring) but rather, “guy goes outside and picks up a leaf” (fascinating, active, engaged).

There's always a million different ways to approach a project. Taking that into consideration, there's still a million ways to get it wrong. Research is the crucial tool we use that helps us narrow the design and further our knowledge of the thing we're designing.

We research in order to be sympathetic and sensitive to our topic and content. We research in order to get our story straight, to understand, and to tell the truth. The best research happens when we're genuinely excited about the project, so let your curiosity and fascination for your topic propel and drive you toward the appropriate research.1

We research in order to be sympathetic and sensitive to the content.

Active Research is:

Thinking about the subject. Talking about the subject. Writing about the subject. Going to the library and checking out books. Going to a bookstore and looking at/buying books. Buying a bunch of books on Amazon. Having all said books on desk. Reading and/or skimming all said books. Talking to people. Listening to music. Going to events. Interviewing someone who knows the subject. Interviewing someone who is the subject. Jotting down observational notes in your phone. Living life. Being culturally aware. Drawing. Touching. Tasting. Playing a game. Taking a quiz. Creating a quiz or survey. Paying attention to people. Reviewing what has been done before. Experiencing the thing you’re trying to study. Doing whatever it takes to learn more about your topic. Looking at websites online that aren’t Pinterest. And lastly, looking at Pinterest. Okay fine.