I do design most of my quilts; it always starts with ' I want a blue, green, red, purple, etc.. colored quilt' then I decide what block(s) I'll make, next is the size. Then I just keep making blocks until I have a size I'm happy with.
I currently have a 'red white & blue' quilt in the making, it'll use EPP , big stich, and applique with sashing between the blocks.