Design methods and processes

Question 1

What does iterative mean?

Answer 1

Iterative means repetitive

Question 2

What are the 4 stages of the iterative design process?

Answer 2

• Research
• Ideate
• Prototype
• Test
  (This repeats)

Question 3

What is UCD?

Answer 3

User-centered design

Question 4

What would a UCD product do?

Answer 4

• Take full account of users, the task performed and the relevant environment
• Involve users during design and development
• Be refined by user-centered evaluation
• Result from an iterative design process
• Consider the whole user experience
• Be developed by a multi-skilled team

Question 5

What are methods to achieve UCD standards?

Answer 5

• Apply ergonomic principles for ease of use and comfort
• Use anthropometric data to ensure good ‘fit’
• Observe people using products
• Organise focus groups
• Gain understanding on how users interact with a product
• Improve the user experience

Question 6

What do we design for?

Answer 6

We design to meet needs, wants or values

Question 7

What types if needs are their to consider when designing?

Answer 7

• Physical needs (designing fir child or designing for disabled people)
• emotional needs (like/dislike)
• Intellectual needs (bright colours for children)
• Sociological needs (being environmentally aware)

Question 8

What are Primary investigative techniques?

Answer 8

• Market research questionaire
• Interviewing potential users to investigate needs and wants
• Human factors like empathic research
• Focus groups
• Anthropometric data
• Observing potential customers use products

Question 9

What are Secondary investigation techniques?

Answer 9

They are mainly online or book research

Question 10

What are the stages of a design proposal

Answer 10

• Sketch and model potential solutions to design problem
• Check specification criteria
• Selection by client of a single design for proposal
• development of aesthetics of final design proposal
• Use tests and trials to develop design elements
• Use scale and full size models
• Use functioning models
• Create dimensioned working drawings with details to manufacture

Question 11

What are the stages leading to a successful prototype?

Answer 11

• Create a step-by-step, detailed plan of prototype manufacture
• Carry out hand, machine or rapid prototyping methods
• Test and evaluate prototype, with appropriate involvement of consumers
• Carry out iterative improvements