The design section of any bookstore offers a variety of beautiful graphic anthologies, heady academic tomes, and monographs of “celebrity” designers. These books often lead us astray by focusing on visuals and theory, instead of how and why designers arrive at outcomes. <br> <i> <br>The Design Method</i> is a short, functional, relatable book that will help designers clarify their understanding of the nature of design; learn methods for—consistently—creating good design; and find ways to persuade clients to trust in their counsel. It’s not a lofty book. It’s an affordable resource that feels like a sit-down with someone who has real answers to share.<br> <br>To start, author/creative director Eric Karjaluoto makes the case for why designers need to stop confusing vocation with art and use an organized process to tackle design projects. He then goes on to describe the smashLAB method with advice on how to apply a thoughtful, functional design process to your own design practice.<br> <br>Opinionated, accessible, and practical, <i>The Design Method</i> provides a treatise for disciplined, rational design and an actionable method for achieving it. Designers who read this book will feel emboldened by a more definitive and logical way of working.