1).  identifying needs

2).  researching 

3).  generating ideas

4).  developing solutions

5).  realizing solutions

6).  evaluating

7).  back to number 1

1).  problem with existing product

2).  a market opportunity

3).  a demand

4).  desire to add value

5).  technological development

Design brief needed at this stage*

it is the statement of the expectations of the design.  

it sets out: 

1).  design goal

2).  target market

3).  major constraints within which it must be achieved

stage 2: analyzing, researching: 

initial set of specifications made here.  

design specification:   requirements of a product.  

stage 3:  generating ideas and solutions: 

1).  divergent thinking-thinking outside of the box-innovative

2).  proposals made

3).  specification used

4).  brainstorming

5).  research 

a complete proposal is developed based upon the research and designers personal ideas.  

-DETAILED DRAWINGS REQUIRED.  

1).  generate ideas

2).  improve previous product

their role varies according to the complexity of the intending outcome.  they also analyze costs and target market to fulfill their needs.  they need to find good quality raw materials yet cheap suppliers so that they can cover costs yet make more profit.

communication within the design team is very important so that they are all working towards the same goal.  

priorities will vary depending on the nature of the product.  e.g. constructing a building-architech and engineer would both work at the same project but would have different priorities.  

Incremental design

small changes to the design of a product, it has a cumulative effect over a longer period.  it may have been influenced by : fashion, technological change, tastes, manufacturing technique.  

RADICAL DESIGN

is where a COMPLETELY NEWWWWW PRODUCT is devised by going back to the roots of a problem and thinking about a solution in a different way.  

Divergent thinking: 

using creative ability to produce a wide range of possible solutions to a problem  - USED AT IDEAS AND DEvELOPMENT PHASE! :) 

used to find out SOLUTIONS to PROBLEMS! 

convergent thinking:  

the ability to analyze information in order to select an answer from alternatives- USED AT RESEARCH STAGE AND DURING EVAL! :) 

used to find a solution :) 

constructive discontent: 

involves analysing a situation which would benefit from redesign and working out a strategy for improving it.  

adaptation:

an existing technology or solution to a problem in one feild is used to provide a new idea for a soltuion in another.  

e.g. wind up radio-saves energy/money/green design-brand image.  

analogy

drawing on a similar situation for solutions

e.g. ultrasonic focusing system for cameras was based on how bats navigate in the dark.

relevance to designers:   strange analogies help to stimulate the mind in new ways.   

e.g. cats eyes=headlights on cars.  

brainstorming:

use of ideas of others to build upon or combine ideas to create innovative ideas and designs.

can be made amongst:

1).  colleagues

2).  experts 

3).  focus groups

attribute listing: 

identifies the key attributes of a product or process and then enables designers to think of ways to change, modify or improve each attribute.  

morphological synthesis

is an elaboration of attribute listing.  after completing the list of attributes, list them along two sides of a 2D grid.  think creatively about how the attributes can be developed through new ideas in each other the cells to improve the design.

designers use a wide variety of techniques and strategies to develop ideas during their designing activities.  choice of techniques depends on: 

1).  personal choice

2).  design context

3).  time

4).  resources available

freehand drawing:

a representation of ideas ON PAPER without the use of technical aids.  this is mostly used in the early stages of developing ideas to explore the different shape, form and constructional ideas.  

annotating freehand drawings:

its the explanation behind the representation.  it allows the designer to consider the implications of the ideas for further development.

orthographic drawing:

a series of flat views of an object showing it exactly as it is in shape and size.  

this type of drawing is produced at: FINAL SOLUTION STAGE! :) 

SOMETIMES only form of communication from designer-> manufacturer

*generally drawn in third angle  or first angle**

isometric drawing: 

a three dimensional representation of an object drawn with the horizontal plane at 30 degrees to the vertical plane! :) 

-can be read by anybody :D EASY TO READDD!! :D 

exploded isometric

this shows the particular features of the INSIDE of the design or to explain aspects of a components construction or assembly.  

Perspective drawing: 

type of three dimensional drawing, which realistically represents an object by utilizing foreshortening and vanishing points (usually imaginary ones).  the vanishing points generally lie on the horizon or eye line.  

three main types of drawing used by the designer are: 

1).  isometric/ perspective -for initial ideas and generating an image

2).  orthographic - for true views and dimensions (working drawing)

3).  exploded- for hidden detail and assembly instruction

CAD (computer aided design)

the use of computers to aid the design process

computer modeling: 

a computer program that attempts to stimulate an abstract model of a particular system.  

Outline two advantages of using CAD over traditional drawing methods

1).  you can test out the product you are designing and see how it works

2).  it gives you a rough idea of the functions of the product

3).  greater accuracy of dimensions and measurements

4).  flexible: click undo if it doesnt work, whereas, freehand drawing means erasing and wasting more time.  

5).  you dont need GOOD drawing skills to use CAD.  

disadvantages of using CAD:

1).  restricted

2).  expensive

3).  time consuming if you are not good at using technology - need to learn program.  

Algorithm:

a set of instructions describing a sequence of events or actions.  

e.g. flowcharts -schematic representation of a process.  

FLOW CHART: 

1).  CIRCLE= "terminator" = start (input) /stop (output)

2).  RECTANGLE:  "process" = what needs to be done/method

3).  DIAMOND= "decision" = a question with a yes or no answer.  

mathematical model:  

a model using mathematical symbols that can be manipulated numerically.  

Physical model:

made from raw materials and can be handled.  mostly tangible. 

advantages of physical modeling to the designer: 

1).  establish proportions

2).  judge peoples reactions to shape

3).  can be used for testing

e.g. designing a car

some advantages to designer for using mathematical modelling: 

1).  time saved - not have to be hand drawn

2).  computer modelling can cheaply model expensive processes such as crash testing

disadvantages of modeling: 

1).  the simplicity of a model can lead to aspects being overlooked

2).  the scale of a model can be misleading

3).  mathematical models rely on formula and accurate data

4).  computer modeling can create delusions of infallibility.  (thinking that computer modelling is always right and NEVER WRONG).  

describe three advantages of using models as part of the design process: 

1).  easy to test the product

2).  accurate measures

3).  saves time

4).  better to communicate ideas within the design team, client-> manufacturer

describe three limitations of the use of models in the design process

1).  restricted - certain colours may be unavailble 

2).  may not work like final product

3).  time consuming.