IB Design and Technology: The Design Process

IB Design & Technology: The Design Process TOPIC 1: THE DESIGN PROCESS Design Cycle Model● ● ● ● ● ● Identifying and clarifying needs (includes the design brief and design spec) Researching about the requirements Generating ideas or solutions (divergent and convergent thinking) Developing the solution Realizing and making the solution Evaluating and testing (which can be connected to the first step) The process can begin with ● ● ● ● ● ● A problem A need A market opportunity A market demand A desire to add value to an existing product A response to a technologic push Initial design problem- a loose collection of constraints, requirements and possibilities. The design brief is the formal starting point for a new design, it is a statement of the expectations of the design Design brief- a statement of the intended outcome and possible major constraints that will be achieved, it sets out: ● ● ● ● A goal (e.g. a prototype that can be evaluated) A target market Constraints (legal rules?) A criteria that a good proposal can be achieved (e.g. increase value for manufacturer, increased reputation for company) Design specification: a set of precise limits for the complete range of performance requirements for the design of the product ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Developing the chosen solution: Needs to take into account the conflicting needs of the manufacturer and the user, a complete proposal is developed based upon research. This stage involves detailed drawings Needs to be developed with reference to materials, sizes, joinings and finishings Can use CAD, CAM and rapid prototype Final drawing is completed using orthographic projection, exploded isometric and sectional drawings Design plans for making- gantt charts and flow diagrams Making proceeds (consider health and safety) During the making- quality checks and quality assurance ** assurance: the overall responsibility by all workers ** checks: checking after every stage and dismissing components that do not meet standards ● Role of the designer: Varies depending on the complexity of the process and intended outcome Often works as members of a team and priorities will vary depending on the nature of activity Divergent thinking- using creative ability to produce a wide rand of possible solutions to a problem ● ● ● ● ● Conceptual and problem focused- generate ideas Exploring many possible solutions Used in conjunction with convergent thinking Spontaneous and freeflowing manner Evaluating, brainstorming and attribute listing can explore solutions in a short amount of time Convergent thinking- the ability to analyse information in order to select an answer from alternatives ● ● Analytical and solution focused Giving answers to standard questions that do not require creativity Incremental design- small changes to the design of a product that seem trivial but the cumulative effect is very significant over a large period of time Radical design- a completely new product that goes back to the roots of the problem and thinking about solutions in an entirely new way **design work is often a combination of both Constructive discontent- analyzing a solution that would benefit from a re-design and working out a strategy to improve it e.g. the cats eye reflector: when percy shaw was driving home in 1933 when his headlights were reflected in the eyes of a cat Adaptation- the solution to a problem in one field is used to provide a new idea for a design problem in another Analogy: the transfer of an idea from one context to another e.g. cats eyes in the middle of the road, ultrasonic focusing system for cameras that were based on how bats navigated in the dark Brainstorming: a group creativity technique designed to generate a large number of ideas for the solutions of the problem Relaxed, informal approach, lateral thinking Creating flow charts, brainstorm diagrams, concept maps and text outlines Attribute listing: decomposition approach, breaking the problem down into smaller parts that can be examined individually, it includes Features: the actual part of the product (e.g. handle) Attribute: the special part of the feature (e.g. shape is hexagonal) Positive and negative aspects of the attribute (e.g. it is sharp but it will give a good grip) Any modifications? Morphological synthesis: an elaboration of attribute listing Lists both the attributes and the commonly accepted values for each attribute Then, with the commonly accepted values, different combinations are considered Does not change one attribute at a time, instead, different combinations are created Power supply Bulb type Light intensity Size Style Finish Material Battery Halogen Low Small Antique Matt Metal Solar Coloured Middle large Modern Enamel Stone Generator Bulb High Hand held Artistic style Natural Glass Flame Roman Plastic Gas The top row lists all the features of the current product (lamp), each column lists commonly accepted variations of each feature. From this morphological synthesis, we can create interesting combinations such as a solar powered, antique, hand held lamp. ● Communcating ideas: Freehand sketching: is the spontaneous representation of ideas on paper without the use of technical aids. (often known as annotations) Orthographic drawings: a series of flat views of an object showing it exactly as it is in shape and size (it includes a plan view and front view, and is drawn in third angle, where the plan view appears at the top of the drawing, or first angle, where the plan is at the bottom) ● ● ● Shows details and dimensions Drawn to scale Used to realize the design Isometric drawing: a 3D representation with the horizontal plane at 30 degrees to the vertical plane Exploded isometric: depicts an object which has more than one component and how the parts of assemblies fit together Perspective drawing: a drawing that realistically represents an object by utilizing foreshortening and vanishing points Perspective drawings are more realistic and has an illusion of depth and distance. It is usually used to non-technical people and to produce dramatic effects CAD: the use of computer software and systems to design and create 2D and 3D virtual models of goods and products for the purposes of testing ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Easy change of component and size Shows different views Library of common components Designs can be easily modified Transferred electronically Long time to learn (DIS) Need to choose correct program Output devices are constricted Initially expensive for equipment Algorithm: a sequence of instructions to describe a set of actions ● ● Procedure or formula Specific set of instructions for carrying out a procedure ● Used for solving problems and planning procedures in the form of a flow chart Flow charts: a schematic representation of a process, is a graphical representation of algorithms PBD (pressing block diagram)- a labeled processing block diagram Represent systems, processes and procedures. Each block represents a specific part of the system and the arrows on the lines joining the blocks show direction of information transfer Models: a pattern, plan, representation or description designed to show the appearance, structure or workings of an object and system It is a physical representation of an object, these include scale models, clay models, concept development models and prototypes ● ● ● ● 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Representation of reality Representation of certain features Allow 3d visualization and testing to take place CRASH TESTING: dangerous procedures can be simulated safely, here, hedonic aspects (personal taste and preference) can be considered. Can use materials to construct physical models, or use computers to general mathematical models. Scale models: e.g. architectural models and car models. Designers hope that scale models will behave the same way as the full sized product Clay models: e.g. vehicle design to style bodywork. Incorporated into CAD software and CNC machines assist sculpting Concept Development models: e.g. when trying to design a conceptual idea of a chair Prototypes: used in development stages for visualizing and testing ideas. CAM and rapid prototyping can be executed about computer modeling. 3D solid modeling: CAD programs such as solid works, auto cad…these designs can be reproduced as rapid prototype models with the use of 3D printers Model1. Not necessarily functional (don’t need to work). 2. Can be to any scale (usually smaller but can also be of the original size or bigger). 3. Used for Display or/and [Visual] Demonstration of product. 4. May consist of only the exterior of the object/product it replicates. 5.Relatively cheap to manufacture. Prototype1. Is fully functional, but not fault-proof. 2. Is an actual version of the intended product. 3. Used for performance evaluation and further improvement of product. 4. Contains complete interior and exterior. 5. Is relatively expensive to produce. Mathematical models: a model using mathematical symbols that can be manipulated numerically. ● Abstract model ● ● ● ● Uses mathematical language to describe behavior of system Used in design and engineering disciplines Symbolic model: 2D drawing or algebraic that represent components to perform mathematical calculations (e.g. stress loading, force diagram) Can simulate outcomes of events, but it requires a large amount of accurate input data. Spread sheet software: a simple software than can quickly calculate and present data (e.g. EXCEL) ● 1. 2. 3. ● 1. 2. 3. 4. ● 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ● 1. 2. 3. 4. ● 1. 2. 3. Advantage of physical models: Good proportions Shape can be altered to fit people’s needs Used for evaluations in situation Advantage of mathematical models: Established using internationally recognized components Success can be evaluated, because of its standard format Time is saved Cheaply model expensive processes Advantage to the whole design process: Communication to clients and to other team members Manipulate ideas Use models for different purposes More realistic view of intended design Can change shape easily Disadvantage of models: Simple model= complicated real aspects overlooked Scale is misleading Difference in materials Mathematical models rely on accurate data and formula Limitations of models: Easily make assumptions according to how accurate the model represents reality May not work like final product May not be the same material