Textiles Unit 1 Exam Revision - Design

Design

What is in a design brief?

• end users

• primary and secondary research

• quantitative research methods

• qualitive research methods

• quality measures

• design options

What are the three stages of the Double Diamond?

• Design problem (need or opportunity)

• Design brief

• Product design solution (finished product)

Divergent thinking

A thought process used to generate creative ideas by thinking of any possible solution - outside of the box, broad

Convergent thinking

Evaluating and refining a solution based upon a preconceived idea. A specific solution that is narrow and INSIDE the box

The 4 D’s of the design process

• Discover

• Define

• Develop

• Deliver

Discover

Research, brainstorming (divergent) (1)

Starts with a 'design problem' and uses 'divergent thinking' to gather relevant information (research) to identify the problem, opportunity or user need that can be addressed.

Define

Narrow down to a design brief (convergent) (2)

Uses 'convergent' thinking to synthesise (narrow down) research to exactly what your design project will be. Keep in mind your capabilities and accessible resources.

Develop

Graphical concept and prototypes (divergent) (3)

Uses 'divergent thinking' again (brainstorms, sketches, models, prototypes, test materials and trial processes) to create many different ideas using end-user feedback.

Deliver

Select best concept, plan for and make final product (convergent) (4)

Uses 'convergent thinking' again to make decisions, create plans and safely construct a finished product to suit the design brief.

Divergent vs Convergent thinking

Divergent thinking: Starting from a point, such as your DESIGN PROBLEM and coming up with lots of possibilities (creative thinking)

Examples; wide research, considering very different objects and shapes, SCAMPER, combining ideas from many different fields.

Convergent thinking: Turning all those possibilities into a decision by analysis and judgement, in your DESIGN BRIEF and FINAL SOLUTION (critical thinking)

Examples; asking questions, analysing details, thinking realistically, checking facts and finding evidence, applying evaluation criteria, evaluating to find what is most suitable, e.g., materials

Creative thinking

It is about investigation, being open minded and exploring ideas and stretching the brain.

Creative/divergent thinking occurs when;

• figuring out a problem

• interviewing end users and gaining information

• thinking about what to research

• brainstorming

• visualisations

• annotating

• problem solving

Critical thinking

It is about taking steps further to analyse and find appropriate solutions to a problem. It is about demonstrating decision making.

Critical/convergent thinking occurs when;

• analysing data

• analysing research

• analysing graphical product concepts

• deciding on and justifying the chosen product concept

• figuring out which final materials, techniques and processes to use for the final product

Factors that influence product design

• need or opportunity

• function

• end-user

• aesthetics (design principles and elements)

• Market needs and opportunities

• Product life cycle

• Technologies - materials, tools and processes

• ethical considerations in design

Need or opportunity

Identification of the purpose for or of a product. Considerations include the context and purpose for designing and how a product will be tested.

Identified from research and development, feedback from end user(s) and new ideas and knowledge, and new and emerging technologies.

Function

The purpose of a product that make it fit-for-use for its intent.

End User

The human and or non-human 'consumers' of the product is intended.

Considerations of the end user incorporates, welfares that include; quality of life (which encompasses culture and religion), emotional and sensory appeal, universal design, demographics, social and physical needs or trends, safety, accessibility, comfort, ergonomics, and anthropometric data.

Aesthetics

• Relates to a products form, appearance, and feel.

• Considerations include design elements and principles.

  Design elements; point, line, shape, texture, colour (tone, transparency, translucency, and opacity).

  Design principles; balance, contrast, repetition, movement/rhythm, pattern, proportion, asymmetry/symmetry, negative/positive space and surface qualities are used to combine and arrange the design elements.

  Aesthetics may relate to ethical considerations in design; aesthetics can influence quality of life.
  

Market needs and opportunities

Designing innovatively and working entrepreneurially requires a creative approach to develop new or improved designed solutions to unsolved problems or new needs or opportunities.

Product lifecycle

The resource inputs the span of a products manufacture, this includes sourcing of materials, useful life and the impact of disposal/reuse.

Technologies, materials, tools and processes

Technologies include those materials, tools, and processes that are traditional as well as ones that are new and emerging.

Materials are selected for use based upon their appropriate properties (performance and behaviour, both chemically and physically under certain conditions) and desirable characteristics (such as visible features)

Ethical considerations in design

Ethics in design is concerned with enabling both individual values (more time with family and friends) and public values (a fair and just society).

This can be realised through products that reflect and enable an end user's values, or by working towards social goals such as belonging, access, usability and equity for the disadvantaged.

Inclusive design processes can enact respect an concern for humans and non-humans.

Scheduled production plan

Steps:

1. Production steps (how?...)

2. A timeline (when?...)

3. Materials list and costing (what with?...)

4. Risk assessment (for safety)

5. Quality measures (good job)

Production Steps

HOW?

How to construct your product, a list of steps to follow.

Timeline

WHEN?

To give milestones and dates for the steps.

Materials list and costing

WHAT WITH?

To be prepared with all materials and bits required.

Risk assessment

FOR SAFETY

To look ahead and avoid accidents and incidents.

Quality measures

GOOD JOB

To create the best quality work possible.

Graphical product concepts

• Visualisations

• Design options - Presentation Drawings

• Working drawings

Visualisations

Rough draft, lines, grey led, a sketch.

A visualisation is the first step in the design and developmental stage where you play around with and explore potential parts of a solution to meet the brief.

Design options

Detailed, colour, texture, labelling and annotations on procedure and materials to be utilised.

A design option is 3D (realistically drawn for clothing) that shows more detail than visualisations and indicate what the whole product will look like rather and just aspects. The are rendered and coloured to represent form and textures. Annotations indicate the proposed materials and construction processes; explain how the product will suit the end user and address the brief.

Working/presentation drawings

Working drawings are needed once the product is finalised. Working drawings (or technical drawings) are used to show exact measurements, shapes, joins and placement of components for construction or manufacture. They need to be drawn to scale and accurately in order to be used sufficiently (rulers and templates)

Research methods

Primary research; information that is created first-hand, e.g., survey

Secondary research; information sourced and made by another individual, e.g., reading a website and learning from it.

Quality measures

Helps to avoid mistakes and ensures that your product turns out to be the best possible quality. These measures help you to have quality control. Preventing errors also prevents a waste of time and materials.

e.g., choosing a material; no rips, no snags, durable etc..

Product analysis

Product analysis is the process of examining a existing textile product or concept to understand its construction, function, design, and potential for improvement.