Two ways of looking at the design process

Here's one way.  If it looks like a PowerPoint slide, that's because it is.*  If you start at 1:00 on the circle, you see how you start by giving yourself permission to try--to carve out the time, find the materials, use them (even "waste" some), fail, try again.   You show up to the studio or wherever you make stuff, even if all you have is 20 minutes.
You get the idea.  Each step follows, one leading neatly (?!) to the next.  You get that it's more a circular than a linear process, though, that continues on around, revisiting some stages, until you collapse from exhaustion the piece is finished.

Then there's Austin Kleon's view, from his wonderful book, Steal Like an Artist:

In my experience these views are both accurate.  The design process is sort of like riding a roller coaster.  You strap yourself in, hold on, scream, almost wet your pants with fear and excitement, wonder why you ever decided to do this, swear never to do it again.  Then it's over, and you get off, exhilarated and ready to do it again.
Come explore the ins and outs and ups and downs with me.

*It's from my Design Process:  Inspiration to Roadmap class, next Tuesday at Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild. Click HERE to register.