2.1 Design methods and processes

iterative design process

design process, a circular set of steps that a designer will go through to solve a problem, does not have to be chronological.

user centred design (UCD)

design approach, that ensures an easy to use product that fits the international usability standards ISO which is more likely to gain investors.

Ergonomics is UCD

products need to be easy and comfortable to use, anthropometric data and focus groups are used within the design process to create the most comfortable product.

designing to meet physical needs

research is used to find the physical needs of a product dependant on who the product is being designed for

designing to meet emotional needs

Likes and dislikes can help match the product to a consumer, some consumers will only purchase, top brand or high quality products and these needs need to be met

designing to meet intellectual needs

Products need to match the intellectual level of the consumer, small children will want brightly coloured products etc

designing to meet wants

products need to have something that make it more desirable to a consumer seeing what consumers want with a product make it more desirable to them

designing to meet values

some consumers will only purchase from eco conscious brands etc so designs need to consider that market

investigative methods

multiple techniques will be used within a design process

immersion

investigative method, designers put themselves into the environment or situation that the customer or user is in

primary investigation

research carried out first hand, interviewing potential users, market research, disassembly, practical testing

secondary investigation

research information gathered from others usually through books and online sources, looking at design movements for aesthetic influencers, anthropometric data, suitable material research

design proposal

a way to manage simple projects that includes the who, what, when, where, and how to deliver the work, how the solution will be evaluated, and often includes descriptions, sketches, and technical drawings.

development of design proposal

the creation of full scale prototypes to test and evaluate an idea

prototype planning

the plan of manufacture for a product in detail with cutting lists etc

prototype manufacture

the creation of a prototype for the final idea of a product to be tested and evaluated before the final product is put into production