Design Activity “the performing of a very complicated act of faith” Quote: J Christopher Jones

The Major Impacts on the Design Activity Accidental Discovery - e.g. vulcanization process (Goodyear) Scientific Discovery - “Chance favours only the prepared minds” (Louis Pasteur) Materials Technology - Smart materials etc Manufacturing Technology - CAD/CAM movement ICT Advances Environment/Suistainability What influences invention and innovation?

Design Activity InventionInnovation Need Driven! “Man is a tool making animal” Quote: Franklin Research by trail and error First application of theoretical principles The identification of a new need Driven primarily by original concepts The development and renewing of existing design solutions! Investigation Ideas SynthesisManufacture Evaluation The Cycle Model Relies heavily upon R&D - RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Research & Development The design process is not linear. Some aspects of the process may need repeating many times; research and development is one of these processes. “Things have never come in a flash: They come only as a result of months, even years of very hard work” Quote: Barnes Wallis Modern R&D teams separate into separate technical fields: A wider collective knowledge can be formed PROTOTYPES Used to test and develop newly discovered concepts: A low cost method of ensuring quality before final production The activity of research and development should feed appropriate information into the design process at all stages e.g.. materials, manufacture, mechanisms, consumer feedback etc

Sales & Marketing Forces Consumer ManufacturerDesigner The Tripartite Relationship Fashion Stimulates buying through ‘want’ “Keeping up with the Jones” Esteem/Admiration Adds perceived value Novelty Factor Increases self esteem Planned Obsolescence Mainly influenced by the makers Stimulates buying through ‘need’ Created by advancing technologies in Manufacture Materials Physics Supports the economy Provides continuing choice Feeds the innovation process A need or desire Consumer Designer Manufacturer Specific product Need/desire identified A well designed solution