2.8 Design Processes Flashcards
Design brief
Design brief would outline the needs/wants of specific user or target market
Contains:
- Description of problem or need - Inadequacies or unsuitability of existing products - Client or user group information - Basic descriptions and key functions of the product - Key areas of focus for product success
Primary research - existing products
Analysis of strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement in existing products:
Testing, assembly and disassembly
Obtain objective views through focus groups or questionnaires
Assess ergonomic features, aesthetics and cost
Primary research - materials
Designers require technical information on materials from specialist researchers
Toughness and tensile strength
construction and finishes
SCAMPER technique
Technique for rethinking existing designs
Substitute - try alternative elements of designs such as materials
Combine - mix ideas or elements
Adapt - use other products for inspiration
Modify - change the shape, look, feel, size
Put to another use - seek alternative functions
Eliminate - simplify the design by removing unnecessary elements
Reverse - reorganise in a radical way
Design specification - FUMES SQWEACS
Carried out after investigation and analysis of research
List of essential requirements as well as desirable features
Commercial specifications are mainly determined by the client
Elements to be considered:
Function User Maintenance Environment Sustainability
Size Quality Weight Ergonomics Aesthetics Cost Safety
Collaborative team designing
Maximises the use of specialist expertise to improve creativity
Often results in better products than those created by a single designer
Creative discussion in meetings or via video conferencing
Evaluation and testing
Integral, on going part on the design process
Must occur at each stage of the design process
Evaluation of product or prototype:
Detailed comparison of the product against the specification
Testing of the function, ergonomics, aesthetics etc
Third-party, objective feedback from potential users of the product
Expert opinion from specialists
Suggestions for further improvements based on evaluation findings
Planning methods
Spreadsheet timeline
Graphical methods such as Critical path analysis (CPA)
Flow charts
Consideration of concurrent stages such as making sub-assemblies prior to final assembly