1 Writing Instructions Jeffrey Donnell MRDC

2 Qualities of excellent instructions The assembled device is shown first Drawings use consistent orientation Each step is numbered, with numbers consistently placed Each drawing shows the complete device at the end of the assembly step Assembly steps add only a few components, with each component fully drawn Arrows are used to characterize alignment Subassemblies are also fully drawn, with attention to orientation

3 Lego toys exemplify excellence in instructions This simple Star Wars toy contains about 30 parts. The instruction booklet contains 10 drawings, 7 numbered steps and two subassembly drawings that combine several steps each.

4 Overview of assembled toy is shown first Emperor’s chair faces user Platform angled to user’s left Orientation plan for drawing set is prominently shown in first drawing

5 The first subassembly demonstrates alignment The completed figures have identical orientation Components are aligned and linked with arrows

6 Assembly steps (in slide 7) Assembly steps maintain orientation of overview Two components are added in each step Each drawing represents the entire toy at the end of the step Step numbers are consistently placed for each drawing

7 Platform angled to user’s left

8 Final step integrates a subassembly Subassembly drawing maintains orientation of overview The overview drawing is recycled as step 7, the final step

9 High chair instructions: Steps with illustrations

10 Three steps are shown on one sheet Foot Seat Bar

11 A single assembly step: three vital pieces of information OrientationCompleted Step Alignment

12 Swingset 1: An Assembled Device

13 Swingset 2: Inventory with overview

14 Swingset 3: Assembly steps with labeled sketches

15 Overview drawing provides orientation information Angled to user’s left Figure number is prominent

16 Overview information provides landmarks Orientation and figure number are preserved Components are assigned names and reference letters for marking

17 Assembly steps explained One step is captured in 4 drawings 24 pieces are used in this step Orientation and numbering are carefully preserved Finished step resembles overview drawing

18 What teams must determine How many drawings are required for this construction task? What orientation will these drawings take? How many components will be added in each step? Where will the step numbers and text be placed?

19 What you should do--I Design your system Draw your system Test your system (as possible)

20 What you should do--II Draw and label the assembled design Draw the components Characterize fabrication of each main component Prepare instructions for assembly of final product

21 Drawings you want 1 overview of the design Sketches of major components Illustrations for for fabricating components

22 Writing instructions--I The introduction Introduction paragraph –Present and describe drawing of assembled system –Describe overview and components Inventory –List components, with sketches

23 Writing instructions--II Making the components Component assembly –How to orient and mark the newspaper sheet –Where to fold, bend, etc. –Label the finished component for later assembly

24 Writing instructions--III Final assembly Assemble components –Take component A and component B –Insert flap A-1 into slot B-3 –Repeat until done

25 Concerns about drawings Assembled system should be displayed and described first Drawings should provide orientation markers Sequences of drawings should display consistent orientation Drawings should show numbers to indicate sequence

26 Problems often arise with instructions for toys

27 How do you build Putt Putt? No sketch of assembled toy

28 How do you build Putt Putt? A large orientation problem!

29 The problem of Curious George’s boat

30 Inconsistent orientation!

31 How landmarks disappear Reorientation disrupts context

32 Reports on this project Introduction Design overview--a –Draw, present and describe your design Discussion--a –Draw and describe alternatives, evaluate construction results Design overview--b –Draw, present and describe the frame you constructed Discussion--b –Illustrate and discuss construction results, evaluate design Closure