The Design Process

The Design Process A Quick Introduction Miss Y. Cochrane

A brief Overview Next This resource has been created so throughout your designing process, you can refer back to this presentation to refresh your memory on important aspects of the design process. If there are any tricky aspects that you do not understand, please ask Miss Cochrane for assistance Miss Y. Cochrane

Background information Next During the course, you will be given projects and shown how to work through each one using a procedure called the design process. You will learn skills that will assist with designing, making and evaluating. Miss Y. Cochrane

The Design Process Next Is a tool used to work through a project in order to create the best possible solution. Remember! Your first idea might not be your best idea. Don’t be lazy and choose the first idea that jumps to mind. Do your research and investigating, create a solution that best suits the design brief provided. Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process Next Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Design Situation < Back to steps in design process Next Gives the creator a reason for designing. The situation is where the need or opportunity for design occurs. Click here for an example – Complete activity A Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Design Brief Next < Back to steps in design process • Is a brief statementof what needs to be designed. • It does NOT provide the design solution, but is a statement of the design problem and sets the: • Designneed • Target market • Constraints • Criteria- How good design may be achieved • Click here for an example of a design brief -Complete activity B Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Design Brief- Identify the Need Next < Back to steps in design process • Identify the Need: • Needs are things that people must have to survive and grow • Most designs result from perceived needs, which are things people think they need • Analyse what you need to design. • What are the perceived needs in your design brief? Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Design Brief- Target Market Next < Back to steps in design process • Target Market: • Who will you be marketing your product towards? • Identify the needs of this audience. Do they have specific needs? E.g. a seat for a baby in a car must comply with Road Safety Rules and Regulations • Who is the target audience for your project? Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Design Brief- Constraints Next < Back to steps in design process • Constraints/limitations/parameters: • May restrict the designer in their solution generation. • E.g. size, shape, colour, cost etc. Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Design Brief- Criteria Next < Back to steps in design process • Criteria- How is good design achieved? • What factors will increase the success of your product? • For example: • Function- does product identify needs? • Aesthetics- Is the appearance of the product aesthetically pleasing • Use of design-Do you need specialized skills in order to operate design • Recyclability- The use of materials to manufacture another product e.g. reused timber to make furniture • Safety- Designer has adhered to safety standards and legislation Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Investigating Next Research must be undertaken by the designer in order to make decisions to improve existing designs as well as develop new designs. Research may be quantitative (data which can be measured) or qualitative data (deals with descriptions). Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Investigating Next < Back to steps in design process • Investigate areas of concern: • For example; • Research environmental sustainability and recycling materials • Timber selection • Braking systems • Suitable designs • Joints and other construction techniques • What is already on the market? Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Investigating Next < Back to steps in design process • Methods of representing research: • Graphics; Drawings, logos, charts, sketches and photos • Visual/audio; Movie, presentation • Tactile; Samples, testing examples • Thinking strategies; Brainstorm, 6-thinking hats, SWOT analysis etc. Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Choosing The Best Solution Next < Back to steps in design process First, look at whether each possible solution met your design requirements. Consider solutions that did a much better job than others, and reject those that did not meet the requirements. It may be one of your initial designs but it can also be a combination of ideas taken from all of them. Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Making The Best Solution < Gantt charts and tables are both great visual ways to represent your information whether it be time, finances or development Next < Back to steps in design process Record the process taken in order to manufacture the final product. Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Evaluation Next < Back to steps in design process • There are two types of evaluation; • Ongoing evaluation (diary/journal) • Final evaluation Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Evaluation < Must be completed each time you have a new idea or make progress Next < Back to steps in design process Ongoing evaluation (diary/journal) Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process| Evaluation Next < Back to steps in design process Final evaluation; • Your final evaluation is a very important part of your design project. • Make sure you have fulfilled the design brief • When writing, consider these questions: • Does your solution solve the problem? • What are its strengths and weaknesses • Is there anything you would like to change? • What do other people think of your solution? Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process Next < Back to steps in design process Design Folio: • You are required to document the work that you are undertaking in technology. • This documentation illustrates the design processes you have used • Here is a brief example of a design folio Miss Y. Cochrane

Steps in the Design Process < Back to steps in design process Let’s Get Designing! Miss Y. Cochrane

The Design Process