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. All measurements remain true length with no foreshortening.

Orthogonal projection: A drawing method showing multiple views of an object (typically front, top, and side) 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. It aims to create closed-loop systems rather than linear ones.

Cradle-to-cradle: A design framework that considers the full lifecycle of a product from creation ("cradle") to disposal and regeneration (back to "cradle"), aiming for zero waste.

Lifecycle assessment: A systematic analysis of the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from raw material extraction through production, use, and disposal.

Biodegradable: Materials that can be broken down naturally by microorganisms into natural elements without causing harm to the environment.

Compostable: Materials that break down into non-toxic components when placed in composting conditions, typically within a specific timeframe.

Economic factors: Financial considerations that impact design decisions, including production costs, material prices, market demands, and economic trends. These factors influence material choices, manufacturing methods, and design complexity.

Technological factors: The available tools, techniques, materials, and processes that enable or constrain design possibilities. Technological advances often drive innovation in design solutions and manufacturing capabilities.

Cultural factors: The beliefs, values, traditions, and social norms that shape aesthetic preferences, symbolic meanings, and design conventions across different societies and time periods.

Environmental factors: Considerations related to ecological impact, resource consumption, climate, and geographic conditions that influence sustainable design practices and material selections.

Social factors: The needs, behaviours, relationships, and trends of people and communities that design must address, including accessibility, inclusivity, and changing lifestyles.

Design brief: A document that outlines the objectives, requirements, constraints, and expectations for a design project. It serves as a reference point throughout the design process.

Target audience: The specific group of people for whom a design is intended. Understanding the target audience helps inform design decisions to meet their needs and preferences.

Divergent thinking: A creative thinking process focused on generating multiple possible solutions or ideas without judgment. Techniques include brainstorming, sketching, and mind mapping.

Convergent thinking: A thinking process that evaluates, refines, and selects the most promising ideas from divergent thinking to develop a final solution.

Ideation: The process of generating, developing, and communicating new ideas. Ideation is an essential part of the creative design process.

Iteration: The process of repeatedly refining a design based on testing, feedback, and evaluation. Iteration helps improve design solutions incrementally.

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

Low-fidelity prototype: A simple, rough representation of a design concept that focuses on basic functionality and structure rather than detailed aesthetics.

User testing: The process of evaluating a design by testing it with representative users to identify usability issues, gather feedback, and validate design decisions.

Design criteria: Specific requirements or standards that a design must meet. Design criteria provide a framework for evaluating design solutions.

Design thinking: A human-centered approach to innovation that draws from the designer's toolkit to integrate people's needs, technological possibilities, and business requirements for successful product and service design.

Ergonomics: The scientific discipline concerned with designing products, systems, and environments to fit human physical and cognitive abilities, ensuring comfort, efficiency, and safety.