Vocab Words Viscom Area of Study 3: Design's influence and influences on design

Rendering

The process of adding tone, texture, colour, and light effects to a drawing to create a realistic or stylized representation of materials and form.

Isometric drawing

A three-dimensional drawing method where vertical lines remain vertical, and horizontal lines are drawn at 30° to the horizontal.

Orthogonal projection

A drawing method showing multiple views of an object with exact measurements and no perspective distortion.

Prototype

A preliminary model of a design used to test concepts, explore ideas, evaluate functionality, and gather feedback before final production.

Circular design

A design approach that eliminates waste and pollution, keeps products and materials in use, and regenerates natural systems.

Cradle-to-cradle

A design framework that considers the full lifecycle of a product from creation to disposal and regeneration, aiming for zero waste.

Lifecycle assessment

A systematic analysis of the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life.

Biodegradable

Materials that can be broken down naturally by microorganisms without harming the environment.

Compostable

Materials that break down into non-toxic components when placed in composting conditions.

Economic factors

Financial considerations that impact design decisions, including production costs and market demands.

Technological factors

The available tools, techniques, and processes that enable or constrain design possibilities.

Cultural factors

The beliefs, values, and traditions that shape aesthetic preferences and design conventions.

Environmental factors

Considerations related to ecological impact and resource consumption that influence sustainable design.

Social factors

The needs and trends of people and communities that design must address.

Design brief

A document that outlines the objectives and expectations for a design project.

Target audience

The specific group of people for whom a design is intended.

Divergent thinking

A creative thinking process focused on generating multiple possible solutions or ideas.

Convergent thinking

A thinking process that evaluates and selects the most promising ideas from divergent thinking.

Ideation

The process of generating, developing, and communicating new ideas.

Iteration

The process of repeatedly refining a design based on testing and feedback.

Low-fidelity prototype

A simple representation of a design concept focusing on basic functionality.

User testing

The process of evaluating a design by testing it with representative users.

Design criteria

Specific requirements that a design must meet.

Design thinking

A human-centered approach to innovation that integrates people's needs and technological possibilities.

Ergonomics

The scientific discipline concerned with designing products and systems to fit human abilities.