Design Analysis Higher Product Design
What it is? This Unit focuses on the initial stages of the design process: Investigating problems Setting out criteria for the solution. However, it is important that these stages are set in the context of the full design process. You have to be aware of the complete design process and the people involved in it. You will also have to be aware of the issues which affect the design of products.
What you will need to know? Design Team Problem Identification Brief Analysis Specification Generation of ideas Market Ergonomics Aesthetics
The Design Team Products need to compete in a wider market and are commonly mass produced Result in extensive developments in materials, system technologies and production methods. More complex the product means its impossible for any single designer to work alone. They now work as part of a bigger team, working with experts in various fields.
The Design Team Ergonomist Manufacturer Electronic Engineer Lawyer Consumer/client Retailer Production Specialist Accountant Economist Marketing Team Materials Technologist Subcontractor
The Design Team Designer should have some knowledge in each of the fields, but find it difficult to keep up to date with new technologies. i.e new developments in rapid prototyping means more accurate and detailed models. They need to work closer with those who make the moulds for the product so expensive mistakes are avoided in manufacturing. They will examine thickness of plastic, angle for tapers, injection points etc. Marketing team, proposed retailers and consumer groups asked to comment on proposed products by examining and testing models.
The Design Brief Starting point of new product. Indicates general nature of task or problem. Should contain sufficient information to establish design goal, major constraints the goal has to be achieved and criteria for a good design to be achieved. Discussions between client and designer must take place. Every Brief can be written differently, there is no correct way!
The Design Brief Open Brief Closed Brief Sets out what has to be done in general terms. Things are left open to interpret as the designer seems fit. Possible to design truly original solutions However, time and money can be wasted producing a solution that may be unacceptable. Closed Brief More specific Directs designer towards what client wants. Client has greater control However, can restrict designer from producing innovative ideas
Design Analysis Directs designer towards areas of importance to be investigated or researched. Think of this as a process that will ensure the designer (you) is as informed as possible about problems, restrictions and other areas of importance.
The Design Specification Statements of characteristics a design must possess in order to meet the requirements of the brief. A full specification will contain technical information and requirements. Aim of any specification is to try and establish what things could cause a new product to fail. Allows designer to specify targets/rules to avoid the product being unsafe. Sets out criteria that are part of a key quality control document for the finished product. There are four main types of Specification: Marketing Specification (will it sell?) Technical Specification (Can it be made?) Performance Specification (Will it work?) Conformance Specification (Is it safe and legal?)
The Design Specifications Marketing Specification Emphasises requirements of user, purchaser and producing company eg. User groups, price, product life, maintenance, materials, production time scale etc.. Technical Specification Transfers some requirements from marketing specification into precise descriptions, setting limits as well as giving values and measurements. Deals with more physical properties of the product e.g power, dimensions and properties of materials. Performance specification Required outputs of a product. e.g what function it fulfils, ease of use by users, durability and robust a product, safety issues for the product. Conformance specification Ensures the product complies with legal and commercial requirements. Safe for the public to use. BSI, industrial standards, statutory requirements, intellectual property rights.
Design Development Considerations It is useful to be aware of the main factors that influence a designer’s thinking. Four main issues the designer must consider throughout the development process. Functional Requirements – performance, fitness for purpose, human interaction, safety Aesthetic Requirements – Intended market group, styling, market trends Economic Constraints – How resources and used and managed. What type of production is to be used, costs, available time, standard components. Environmental Concerns and Design for Sustainability – Designers have moral duty to protect the environment. Use of sustainable materials, pollution and waste generated in manufacturing. How the product will affect the environment, recycling purposes.
Lifestyle Boards Gives an Aesthetical direction to designer. Give overall impression of a person or groups lifestyle
Creates an atmosphere to reflect a mood Stimulus for design Mood Board Creates an atmosphere to reflect a mood
Lateral Thinking Encourages creativity and stimulates imagination. Helps them explore less obvious solutions. There is no wrong answer, there are only better or worse solutions. Five Stages to creative thinking: Insight - Define a problem and identify needs and wants of the user. Preparation – effort required to solve problems. All relevant information begins to be gathered and organised. Incubation - creative process begins and you become immersed in the problem. Illumination – sudden emergence of an idea that solve s the problem. Mind may be forced by an idea. Verification – Idea is considered and evaluated against known criteria.
Idea Generation Techniques Brainstorming Morphological analysis Mind Maps Analysis Researching information Lifestyle boards Transfer and analogy Design stores Mood boards Synthesis
Communicating Ideas Can be communicated in numerous ways Methods chosen will determine design stage. Most common is through sketches and drawings Communicate to clients, end users, manufactures, retailers etc.. Designers often sketch to communicate to themselves. Helps them visualise products fully and examine problem areas better. Frees up minds, allowing to develop ideas further. Written notes, comments and observations are important methods of recording.
Communicating Ideas Quick freehand sketches Exploded drawings Useful for generating ideas quickly to show others to help develop ideas that are in designers’ minds. Exploded drawings Good for showing how parts join together 3D drawings Excellent for communicating ideas to clients and “non experts” Presentation drawings Used to communicate design proposals and finished solutions to everyone involved. Clients, consumers and retailers. Scale drawings To make scale models or communicate information to manufacturers. Working Drawings Necessary for all aspects of product manufacture. Computer Drawings Products near final stages are produced on computer. Enables changes to be made and updated easily. Drawings can be linked to CIM systems.