Designing Products

Why do designers carry out research and investigation?

Why do designers carry out research and investigation?

To find out more about the design problem and the markets needs/wants.

What’s market research?

Information that’s collected to find out whether there’s a place in the market for a product.

What’s a focus group?

A group of people assembled to discuss and give feedback on a product/design idea.

What’s product analysis?

The detailed investigation or analysis of these designs. This should include how the products look and function.

What’s primary data?

Raw data taken first hand or from original research.

What’s secondary data?

Data that is freely available and take from other parties or sources.

What’s ergonomics?

Understanding how people interact with the products and systems around them. Designers consider comfort, safety etc…

What’s anthropometrics?

The study of the human body and how it moves. Anthropometric data is measurements taken from millions of people which is used by designers.

What percentiles of anthropometric data is usually used by designers?

5th to the 95th so 90% of the population are catered for.

What is a design brief?

A short description of the design problem and how it can be solves

What is a design specification?

A list of measurable design criteria that the product/system must meet. Usually written as a set of bullet points.

What criteria do most design specs cover?

Aesthetics
Client
Cost
Environment
Safety
Size
Function
Materials

What should a manufacturing spec contain?

The information needed to successfully manufacture the design.

What are some things that would be included in a manufacturing spec?

• Scale of production

• Description/drawing of the final design

• Details of materials and components

• Details of how quality will be ensured

What are some ways of exploring/developing design ideas?

• Sketching

• Toiles

• Card modelling

• Breadboarding

What is breadboarding?

Modelled versions of electronic circuits of holes that can be used to place components and wires to create a circuit.

What should happen after the testing & evaluation of an iteration?

Refinements should be made to the design.

How can 3D sketches be produced?

• Freehand

• Perspective

• Isometric projection

What are the properties of a perspective drawing?

• Not to scale

• Horizon line

• One or two vanishing points

• Non-vertical lines can be extended

What drawing technique is used for interiors?

One-point perspective

What are the properties of isometric projection?

• Produce a 3D object to scale

• Uses lines at 30° to the baseline

• Isometric paper has a grid guideline

What are the properties of exploded drawings?

• Shows how parts of a product fit together

• Parts should be lined up and relative to other parts

Why are exploded drawings useful?

Useful to people who are assembling products made from many different parts

What are working diagrams also known as?

Orthographic drawings

What can systems diagrams be used to show?

The concept of how a system will work

What is a mathematical model?

A way of simulating real-life situations using maths formulae

What are the effects of computer-based tools on communication?

• Technology enables designers to share/discuss ideas with anyone anywhere

• Cheaper than travelling

What are the benefits of CAD/CAM?

• Allows designs to be viewed from different angles

• CAD files can be sent directly to CAM

• Can be shared via email, the cloud etc…

What are prototypes?

Full-sized, actual versions or primary examples of an intended product or system

What are some considerations that designers must take account of when developing a prototype?

Does it satisfy the brief?
Is it innovative or creative?
Does it function as expected?
Is it aesthetically pleasing?
Is it easily marketable?

What does evaluation do?

It helps the designer learn about how well the product being prototyped would meet the spec and the needs of the client.