The Design ProcessA Quick Introduction

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A brief Overview

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

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Background information

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.

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The Design Process

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.

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Steps in the Design Process

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Steps in the Design Process| Design Situation

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

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Steps in the Design Process| Design Brief

Is a BRIEF STATEMENT of what needs to be designed.

It does NOT provide the design solution, but is a statement of the design problem and sets the: Design need Target market Constraints Criteria- How good design may be achieved

Click here for an example of a design brief -Complete activity B

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Steps in the Design Process| Design Brief- Identify the Need

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?

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Steps in the Design Process| Design Brief- Target Market 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?

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Steps in the Design Process| Design Brief- Constraints

Constraints/limitations/parameters:

May restrict the designer in their solution generation.

E.g. size, shape, colour, cost etc.

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Steps in the Design Process| Design Brief- Criteria 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

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Steps in the Design Process| Investigating

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).

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Steps in the Design Process| Investigating

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?

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Steps in the Design Process| Investigating

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.

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Steps in the Design Process| Choosing The Best Solution

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.

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Steps in the Design Process| Making The Best Solution

Record the process taken in order to manufacture the final product.

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< Gantt charts and tables are both great visual ways to represent your information whether it be time, finances or development

Steps in the Design Process| Evaluation

There are two types of evaluation; Ongoing evaluation (diary/journal) Final evaluation

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Steps in the Design Process| Evaluation

Ongoing evaluation (diary/journal)

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< Must be completed each time you have a new idea or make progress

Steps in the Design Process| Evaluation

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?

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Steps in the 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

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Steps in the Design Process

Let’s Get Designing!

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