2.1 Design Methods and Processes Flashcards
Iterative design process
Using a cyclic sequence of stages required to refine a design
Research -> ideate -> prototype -> test _^
User-centred design
- Aims to improve users’ experience of using products
- There is an international usability standard, ISO 13407:
• Take full account of users, the task performed and the relevant
environment
• Involves users during design and development
• Refined by user-centred evaluation
• Considers the whole user experience
Methods used to achieve UCD standards
- Apply ergonomic principles for ease of use and comfort
- Use anthropometric data to ensure a good fit
- Observe people using products
- Organise focus groups to solve problems with existing products
- Gain an understanding of how users interact with products
- Improve the user experience
Designing to meet needs, wants or values
Consider the:
Physical needs - needs of children are very different to the elderly
Emotional needs - understanding what people like, matching their aspirations
Intellectual needs - for example, small children are attracted to bright colours
Primary investigate techniques
- Market research questionnaires and surveys
- Interviewing potential users to investigate their wants or needs
- Focus groups
- Human factors:
• Empathic research
• the designer experiences users’ limitations, e.g. Lack of mobility - Anthropometric data is obtained
- Ergonomics can be improved by getting customers to use the product
- Product analysis:
• disassembly of existing products
• practical testing of components
Secondary investigative techniques
Using external resources such as research journals, online and books
Could consider:
• Style influences of designers and movements
• Identifications of suitable materials, components, and manufacturing
methods
• Relevant anthropometric data
Planning, manufacture and evaluation of a prototype
- Creating a step-by-step, detailed plan of prototype manufacture considering:
• Tools
• QA
• QC - Carry out hand, machine or rapid prototyping methods as required
- Test and evaluate prototype with involvement of consumers
- Carry out iterative improvements to optimise the design