2.
- This topic introduces the design cycle modela fundamental
concept underpinning the design process and central to a student's
understanding of design activities. Each element of the design
cycle represents how designers progress through the design process
to refine the design solution in increasing detail. The topic then
moves on to focus on the strategies that designers use to arrive at
solutions to problems, and the varied nature of the skills and
knowledge they need to carry out their activities successfully. The
skills identified in this topic should be reflected in the internal
assessment (IA) and reinforced throughout the course.
3. The Design Cycle Model 1.1 4. The Design Cycle Model
(DCM)
- How do designers use design cycle models to represent the
design process.
- Design may be described in a variety of ways and degrees of
complexity. Some design cycle models are simple and some are more
complex. The design process usually consists of successive stages
that can be arranged as a systematic cyclical process that
eventually converges to produce a solution to a problem.
5. Stages in the IB design cycle model
- The DCM comprises six stages, as follows:
- 1) identifying or clarifying a need or opportunity
- 2) analyzing, researching and specifying requirements
- 3) generating ideas and solutions
- 4) developing the chosen solution
- 5) realizing the chosen solution
- 6) testing and evaluating the chosen solution.
6. IB DCM 7. Identifying or Clarifying a Need
- The context of the problem is described and a concise brief
stated. The design process can begin with a problem, an identified
need, a market opportunity, a demand, a desire to add value to an
existing product, or a response to opportunities presented by
technological developments. The initial design problem is a loose
collection of constraints, requirements and possibilities. From
this, the designer has to make a coherent pattern. The design brief
states the intended outcome and the major constraints within which
it must be achieved.
8. The Design Brief
- The design brief is the formal starting point for a new design.
It is a statement of the expectations of the design. The brief does
not provide the design solution, but is a statement that sets
out:
- the design goal (for example, a working prototype to be
evaluated in terms of its feasibility for volume production)
- the target market for the product (for example, for children,
disabled adults)
- the major constraints (for example, should comply with new
legislation, have fewer working parts, be cheaper to manufacture)
within which it must be achieved
- the criteria by which a good design proposal may be achieved
(for example, increased value for money and/or cost-effectiveness
for manufacturer).
9. Analyzing, Researching and Specifying
- Developing the specification from the brief is an evolving
process beginning with an initial set of specifications and
culminating in a final product design specification (PDS).
10. Design Specification
- The design specification justifies the precise requirements of
a design. The specification will include a full list of the
criteria against which the design can beevaluated
11. Generating Ideas and Solutions
- Divergent thinking is used to consider ways in which a problem
may be solved. The starting point for the generation of ideas
should be the design specification, and proposals should be
evaluated against this specification, with evidence of relevant
research used to rate the ideas in terms of their usefulness. A
variety of approaches should be used, and different possibilities
explored and analyzed, before deciding on the most suitable
solution
12. Developing the Chosen Solution
- A final concept is developed taking into account the
conflicting needs of the manufacturer and the user, and the
requirement of the design as set out in the specifications. A
complete proposal is developed based upon the research and the
designer's personal ideas. This stage involves detailed drawings
(of a style relevant to the task).
13. Testing and Evaluating the Chosen Solution
- The final outcome is tested and evaluated against the
requirements set out in the specification. Recommendations for
modifications to the design are made. A reiteration process should
now begin
14. The Design Cycle
- The model emphasizes that designing is not a linear process.
Evaluation, for example, will take place at various stages of the
process, not just at the end. Similarly, ideas for possible
solutions are not only generated at the "generating ideas" stage;
some good ideas may develop even as early as the "identifying
needs" stage. In practice, it is impossible to separate the stages
of the design process as clearly as the model suggests.
15. The Designers Role
- The designer's role varies depending on the complexity of the
process and the intended outcome.
- Designers often work as members of a team. Priorities will vary
depending on the nature of the activity. For example, the
information required by an architect will be different from that
required by an engineer.
16. The Design Cycle Model
- Depending upon the nature of the problem, not all elements of
the cycle carry the same weight in terms of time allocation and
complexity. Points to consider include cost, resources, skills,
time, original design specification and product modification
17. Definitions
- incremental design-Small changes to the design of a product
that seem trivial but the cumulative effect of which over a longer
period can be very significant
- radical design-Where a completely new product is devised by
going back to the roots of a problem and thinking about a solution
in a different way
18. Definitions
- convergent thinking-The ability to analyze information in order
to select an answer from alternatives. This tend to lend itself to
incremental design.
- divergent thinking-Using creative ability to produce a wide
range of possible solutions to a problem. This tends to produce
radical designs.
19. The Design Model Reflects Both Convergent and Divergent
Thinking
- Convergent thinking is analytical and solution-focused, for
example, during evaluation
- Divergent thinking is conceptual and problem-focused, for
example, used to generate ideas
20. Design work is often a combination of incremental and
radical thinking.
- The use of a new material for a product may be a radical leap
forwards but the product may look very similar to previous
products
- a tennis racquet made from carbon fiber is a radical
development, but the shape and form are similar to previous
designs.
21. Generating Ideas 1.2 22. Constructive Discontent
- constructive discontent- Analyzing a situation that would
benefit from redesign, and working out a strategy for improving
it.
- What might be an example of this in use?
23. Adaptation
- Adaptation-A solution to a problem in one field is used to
provide a new idea for a design problem in another
- Can you provide an example?
24. Analogy
- Analogy-The transfer of an idea from one context to
another
25. Brainstorming
- brainstorming- A form of group think. A group with a
recommended size of 10-12 people first devises wild ideas, all of
which are written down. No criticism or evaluation is allowed until
this is finished, as it is impossible to be creative and critical
at the same time. The ideas are then criticized and evaluated.
26. Attribute Listing
- attribute listing- 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.
27. Morphological Synthesis
- morphological synthesis- 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 of the cells to improve the design
28. Designers use all of these
- Actual techniques selected depend upon: personal choice, design
context and time/resources available
29. Communicating Ideas 1.3 30. Freehand Drawings
- freehand drawing The spontaneous representation of ideas on
paper without the use of technical aids.
- Annotations explain the thinking behind the visual image
represented by the drawing. They allow the designer to consider the
implications of the ideas for further development.
- Designers use a range of freehand drawings in the early stages
of developing ideas to explore shape and form (3D) and
constructional details (2D).
31. Orthographic drawing
- orthographic drawing A series of flat views of an object
showing it exactly as it is in shape and size.
- An orthographic drawing shows details and dimensions and can be
used as a production drawing.
- Orthographic drawings are produced at the final solution stage
and are used as working drawings in the realization stage.
32. Isometric drawing
- isometric drawingA 3D representation of an object drawn with
the horizontal plane at 30 to the vertical plane.
- An isometric drawing depicts the proposed solution in 3D
showing shape and form
- exploded isometric drawing
- The drawing is exploded to show component parts of a product
and/or the sequence of assembly.
33. Perspective drawing
- perspective drawing A 3D drawing that realistically represents
an object by utilizing foreshortening and vanishing points (usually
imaginary ones).
- Perspective drawings take into account spatial arrangements,
for example, foreshortening, while isometric drawings are
constructed to a set angle .
34. Computer Aided Design
- computer-aided design(CAD) - The use of computers to aid the
design process
- computer modeling- A computer program that attempts to simulate
an abstract model of a particular system.
35. Cad or manual Drawings
- Higher levels of skills are required for CAD; however, storage
is easier
- complexity and styles of the drawings may dictate what to
use
- If you are interfacing with other aspects of information and
communication technology (ICT) CAD may be better
- time, cost and the purpose of the drawings will also dictate
type of drawing used
36. Algorithms
- Algorithm A sequence of instructions to describe a set of
actions (verbal format usually)
- Algorithms can be used to communicate a process
- Consider the operation of a lift. Correct sequencing is
important, with input, process and feedback.
1.5 37. Flow Charts
- flow chartA schematic representation of a process
- In mapping algorithms, we often use established symbols in a
flow chart.
- Elongated ovals designate start and stop points
- Diamonds identify some logical decision
- Rectangles identify processes.
- Rhomboids identify input or outputs
- Small circles are used as connectors between parts of the flow
chart
38. Physical Models
- Models help us to visualize the intended solution or design.
This could be a scale model or a prototype
- Normally, only selected features are modeled
- It is relatively simple to change the model if needed
- Materials- clay, card, foam, board, balsa and wood
39. Mathematical Models
- mathematical model A model using mathematical symbols that can
be manipulated numerically.
- spreadsheet software is often used in the development of
mathematical models.
40. Why use Models?
- Communication with clients
- Communication with team members,
- You have the ability to manipulate ideas better than with
drawings.
41. Model Limitations
- Designers can easily make assumptions about how accurately a
model represents reality: it may not work like the final product or
be made of the same material.
42.
- QuickTime movie on the design process
43. The End Topic 1