Design Technology(SL) - Topic Specific Glossary of Terms

Adjustability

The ability of a product to be changed in size is commonly used to increase the range of percentiles for which a product is appropriate.

Anthropometrics

The aspect of ergonomics that deals with body measurements, particularly those of size, strength and physical capacity.

Clearance

The physical space between two objects.

Erogonomics

The application of scientific information concerning the relationship between human beings and the design of products, systems and environments.

Percentile range (upper and lower limits)

That proportion of a population with a dimension at or less than a given value. For a given demographic (gender, race, age), the 50th percentile is the median.

Psychology factors

Human factor data related to psychological interpretations caused by light, smell, sound, taste, temperature and texture.

Physiology factors

Human factor data related to physical characteristics used to optimize the user's safety, health, comfort and performance.

Percentile

A term that describes how a data point compares to all data in that set, divided into 100 equal parts.

Range of sizes

A selection of sizes a product is made in that caters for the majority of a market.

Static data

Human body measurements when the subject is still.

Dynamic data

Human body measurements taken when the subject is in motion.

Reach

The range that a person can stretch to touch or grasp an object from a specific position.

Biomechanics

Research and analysis of the mechanics (operation of our muscles, joints, tendons, etc.) of the human body.

Workspace envelope

A 3D space that is typically physical and/or virtual that needs to have defined permissible boundaries of movement and operation.

Advantage of user-centred design (UCD)

The design will be more intuitive to meet the needs of the user.

Disadvantage of user-centred design (UCD)

Expensive, difficulty interpreting different types of data into the initial design, takes more time.

Five stages of user-centred design (UCD)

Research, concept, design, implementation, and launch.

Population stereotype

Responses that are widespread in a user population.

Primary persona

A profile of the primary user for a product experiencing a challenge in a process that presents a design opportunity. Persona provides a human face and story to a particular audience, making it easier to empathize and cater to the user's needs effectively.

Field research (UCD research method)

A first-hand observation of users conducted in their real environment.

Research question

A type of quesiton that focuses research to find the required answers.

Research stage

Shadowing, diary studies, interviews, focus groups, benchmarking, usability testing.

Secondary research

Research undertaken by someone other than the user.

Scenario

An imagined sequence of events in the daily life of a persona based on assumptions.

Task

How the design is expected to function and fulfil its expectations. Consider the user may have several sub-uses for the product.

Task analysis (UCD research method)

The process of learning about the user by observing them carry out an action to understand how they perform it. The goal of task analysis is to identify aspects of the process that could be improved.

Target user

A particular group of customers or potential customers for whom a product, system or environment is designed.

User-centred design (UCD)

A design process that pays particular attention to the needs of potential users by involving them in all stages of the design process (research, concept, design, implementation and launch).

User-centred research methods

A suite of research methods used to explore the true nature of a user population or of target users. These research methods include field research, task analysis, user observation, interviews, surveys and focus groups.

User observation (UCD research method)

A research activity where the user is observed interacting with a product or completing a task to find pain points in the process or interaction.

User population

The range of users for a particular product or system.

User requirements

The essential requirements that a product system or environment must satisfy in relation to the user.

Aesthetic prototype

A physical model developed to look and feel like the final product but that does not function.

Augmented reality (AR)

a technology that uses a device to superimpose a computer-generated image onto a user's view of the real world; interactions include sights, sound, touch engagements and extended reality (XR).

Assembled drawings

A high-fidelity drawing technique, typically presented in an isometric view, that shows a product as it appears when fully assembled.

Computer-aided design (CAD)

The use of computer software to aid the design process.

Exploded drawing

A formal drawing technique that depicts components of a product apart but in a relative position to how they would be fitted together.

Digital human

Digital simulation of a variety of mechanical and biological aspects of the human body.

Functional prototype

Also referred to as a "physical working prototype", it works in the same way as a final product and simulates real-world functionality.

Fused deposition modelling (FDM)

A 3D rapid prototyping printing methodology that deposits melted layers of material on a bed to build up a 3D model.

Finite element analysis (FEA)

Digital model calculation and simulation of unknown factors in products using computer-aided design (CAD) systems. For example, simulating the stresses within a welded car part.

Free-hand sketching

Graphical drawing model created without the use of instruments such as a ruler or compass.

Generative design

An artificial intelligence-driven software used as an ideation technique to generate a range of digital model solutions based on prompts and constraints provided by the designer.

Haptic technology

A technology that enables the user to interface with simulated touch sense via a haptic device or glove.

Isometric drawing

A graphic representation of 3D objects where two axes are angled at 60 degrees from the vertical axes.

High-fidelity prototype

A physical or virtual model of a design concept that is highly functional and interactive. A high-fidelity prototype is as functionally and aesthetically similar to the final product as possible, and typically full scale.

Low-fidelity prototype

A simplified physical or virtual prototype is typically created to test a few aspects of a design idea and provide feedback for further design development in the early stages of a design process.

Motion captured

The recording of human and animal movement by any means, for example, by video, magnetic, or electromechanical devices.

Orthographic projection

A formal modeling technique used to depict a 3D object in 2D, typically showing the top, side, and front views of an object.

Physical prototype

The creation of a full-size, smaller or larger tangible version of an object that can be physically interacted with.

Prototype

A physical or virtual prototype created to test samples, or models built to test a concept or process, or to act as an object to be replicated or learned from. Prototypes can be developed at a range of fidelities.

Prototyping techniques

The methods used to create prototypes at different levels of fidelity range from sketching to functional prototypes.

Rapid prototyping

A group of manufacturing techniques used to manufacture a physical object quickly for testing aspects of a product. Typically, 3D computer-aided design (CAD) models are used.

Scale prototype

Physical models that are bigger or smaller than the real product but are exactly in proportion with the product.

Selective laser sintering (SLS)

An additive manufacturing technique that uses a laser to fuse small particles of material into a mass that has a desired 3D rapid prototyping shape.

Powder Material, stronger parts, more functional

Solid model

Virtual (digital) models are clear representations of the final part. They provide a complete set of data for the product to be realized.

Stereolithography (SLA)

An additive manufacturing technique that creates 3D physical prototypes layer by layer by hardening molecules of a photosensitive liquid polymer using a laser beam.

Liquid Resin, smoother finish, more aesthetic

Surface model

A virtual (digital) model representing the outer appearance and form, offering some machining data. Surface digital models contain no data about the interior of the part.

Virtual prototype

Photorealistic digital computer-aided design (CAD) based interactive models that use surface and solid modeling.

Virtual reality (VR)

The ability to simulate a real situation on the screen and interact with it in a near-natural way.

Bio-materials

Any material created by, or derived from, biological organisms, including plants, animals, bacteria and fungi.

Chemical properties

A property of a material that only becomes evident during or after a chemical reaction. This includes: Corrosion resistance, Reactivity (food safe), Hygroscopy, and Flammability.

Circular economy

An economic model in which resources remain in use for as long as possible from which maximum value is extracted while in use, and the products and materials are recovered and regenerated at the end of the product life cycle.

Composite material

A material comprised of two or more materials to improve their physical, mechanical and chemical properties and/or aesthetics characteristics.

Compressive strength (mechanical property)

The ability of a material to withstand being pushed or squashed.

Corrosion resistance (chemical property)

The ability of a material to withstand damage caused by oxidation or other chemical reactions.

Density (physical property)

The mass per unit of volume of a material. Its importance is in the portability of a product's weight and size. Design contexts include food packaging, because pre-packaged food is sold by weight and volume, and packing foams.

Ductility (mechanical property)

The ability of a material to be drawn or extruded into an extended shape such as a wire.

Elasticity (mechanical property)

The extent to which a material will return to its original shape after being deformed, once the force causing the deformation is removed.

ex) hair tie

Electrical resistivity or Electrical conductivity (physical property)

The measure of a material's ability to conduct electricity. A material with low resistivity will conduct electricity well.

Electro-rheostatic (smart property)

This smart property relates to a fluid that can undergo a dramatic change in its viscosity when exposed to an electric field. This effect is reversed when the electric field is removed.

SIMPLE DEFINITION: a fluid that changes thickness/viscosity when electricity is applied.

Flammability (Chemical property)

A measure of how quickly a material can be ignited and how quickly it burns.

Hygroscopy (chemical property)

A chemical property of a material that has the ability to absorb moisture from the surrounding environment.

Glass (manufactured material)

A hard, brittle, and typically transparent amorphous solid made by rapidly cooling a fusion of sand, soda, and lime.

Hardness (mechanical property)

The resistance a material offers to penetration or scratching.

Magneto-rheostatic (smart property)

This smart property relates to a fluid that can undergo a dramatic change in its viscosity when exposed to a magnetic field. This effect is reversed when the magnetic field is removed.

Malleability (mechanical property)

A material's ability to be plastically deformed under compressive force.

Manufactured material

A material that does not occur naturally in the world. It is synthetic or artificial.

Mechanical properties

Properties of a material that involve the relationship between stress and strain or a reaction to an applied force.

Melting point (physical property)

The temperature a material transforms from a solid into a liquid.

Natural material

Materials that occur in the natual world.

Photochromicity (smart material)

A property of a smart material. A photochromic material changes colour in response to an increase in light. When the light source is removed, it returns to its original colour.

Physical properties

any property that is measurable and that describes a state of materials, including density, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, melting point, electrical resistivity, and electrical conductivity. These properties tend to be the characteristics of materials that can be identified through non-destructive testing.

Piezoelectricity (smart material)

A property of a smart material. A piezoelectricity material gives off a small electrical discharge when deformed and experiences an increase in its volume when an electrical current passes through it.

Pressure --> Electricity

Plasticity (mechanical property)

The ability of a material to be changed in shape permanently.

Polymer (manufactured material)

Synthetic materials made from chemical compounds commonly referred to as "plastics".

Reactivity (food safe)