Extensive and easy to understand classnotes for Unit 14 - within designing and making principles for paper 2. These helped me achieve an A* throughout the course.
Is a system which organises how a product is developed.
Often referred to as an iterative process, as the concept is to keep improving designs to create the best
solution.
1. Defining the problem
What is the problem or the need?
Who has the problem?
Why is it important to solve?
2. Write design brief
Images + details of the context or problem
Details of client / user group
Explanation of why existing products are not suitable
3. Investigation + analysis
Primary research: research is gathered directly by the designer first-hand
User focused - questionnaires, focus groups + interviews
Material based - analysis through product disassembly, practical testing + experimentation
'Wear-resistance' can be tested using abrasion tests (glass paper against sample material)
Secondary research: use of information collected and reported by others
Books, magazines, media sources
Quantitative research
Qualitative research
Analysis - helps inform future ideas generation
Are existing products flawless?
What is the current market like and is there a gap?
What is the price point going to be?
Present the data - helps define user requirements + communicates the research
Pie charts + bar charts. 'Quotes' in bold fonts can help highlight info recorded in interviews
4. Inspiration
A variety of mediums are used by commercial designers to inspire ideas and offer choice
Mood boards - used for colours, materials, styles + textural info
Inspiration boxes - include swatches, colour samples, sample materials + existing products
, Ideas generation
Mind maps - are useful in helping you think about factors that influence the design
Different focus areas, such as user centred design, sustainability + technological innovation, help generate
a range of ideas
SCAMPER
Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put it to another use, Eliminate, Reverse
Collaboration between designers + engineers + product marketing teams
The expertise + creative minds of the whole team can be utilised
Co-designing with client or developing ideas to discuss with client + get some beneficial feedback
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5. Illustration
Start of design process
thumbnail sketches
rough perspective drawings
one-point: used to show buildings / room interiors
two-point: used to draw objects from a range of different viewing angles
When presenting ideas to client
exploded views: used to show the relationship of parts of a product
marker rendering
sectional views: used to show the cross section of an object
3D CAD - used to make virtual model
2D CAD - used to draw parts for machining on computer controlled equipment
6. Design specification
Is a detailed set of requirements that a design must meet.
In the commercial world it is a set of requirements agreed by both the client and designer
Can also contain a list of desirable features
7. Modelling
Used for developing design ideas + final prototypes
Flexible materials
polymorph
card
foamboard
full size models can be used to check the sizes and proportions e.g. testing ergonomics
In industry prototypes are shown to production engineers
To gain feedback about any design changes that would be required before production
, 8. Project planning
Commercial manufacturing
some stages of production can be carried out concurrently (at the same time)
e.g. the car industry: there are different sub assemblies, before they are all attached in the right order
to make the car
Production managers (for planning assembly) need to consider the timings of operations + sequence of
activities in detail
Graphical methods
CPA (Critical Path Analysis) diagrams are used to show the key stages + critical points of
manufacturing
Flow process charts are used to plan out production operations, their type and the timings (to
maximise efficiency.
Freelance designers and smaller start-up companies frequently do their own project planning
Mid- to large-sized companies often employ project managers
You can produce a spreadsheet timeline, to identify the main stages of a project + the key dates they must be
completed by
Usually space is left to add notes/comments
9. Evaluation + testing
Are required throughout the whole design process
Designs must be evaluated against the original design specification to ensure compliance
Client and third-party feedback are crucial to ensure commercial viability (growth)
Testing a product in its environment is necessary + often required by law to ensure it meets safety + legal
requirements
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