Design Process

1. Design Process

2. Design is a creative planning process that leads to useful products and systems. There is no perfect design. Requirements of a design are made up of criteria and constraints. What is Design?

3. The design process is a purposeful method of planning practical solutions to problems. The design process is never final; there are always multiple solutions to a problem. The design process is influenced by requirements called criteria and constraints. What is the Design Process?

4. Adopted PLTW® High School Design Process

5. Adopted GTT Design Process 9 1 1 11 Communicate Results Define the Problem Create or Make 2 8 10 3 Brainstorm Improve Design Research and Generate Ideas Refine Design Process 3 7 Research Test and Evaluate 4 4 Identifying Criteria and Constraints 6 Develop Ideas Model or Prototype 5 5 The adopted GTT design process combines several steps. Choose Best Idea Explore Possibilities 6 7 Develop a Design Proposal Select an Approach

6. Define the Problem 9 1 Communicate Results Define the Problem 2 8 Brainstorm Improve Design Defining the problem is like conducting detective work. You must examine the evidence and form some conclusions. Design Process 3 7 Research Test and Evaluate 4 6 Develop Ideas Model or Prototype 5 Choose Best Idea Examples: Design a vehicle that can communicate with other vehicles to prevent accidents. Design an athletic shoe that decreases the amount of sprained ankles when worn on hardwood gym floors.

7. 9 1 Communicate Results Define the Problem 2 8 Brainstorm Improve Design Design Process 3 7 Research Test and Evaluate 4 6 Develop Ideas Model or Prototype 5 Choose Best Idea Brainstorm Brainstorming involves bringing a group of people together to generate many different ideas. Examples: “Make the athletic shoe out of plastic.” “The shoe needs to grip the floor; the bottom should be made of rubber.” “The ankle support should be stiff.” “Don’t forget the air vents.” All ideas are considered – none are criticized!

8. 9 1 Communicate Results Define the Problem 2 8 Brainstorm Improve Design Design Process 3 7 Research Test and Evaluate 4 6 Develop Ideas Model or Prototype 5 Choose Best Idea Research Research may require going to the library, using computer databases, writing letters, performing experiments, and asking questions. • Examples: • Read books and magazines • View films or videos • Search the Internet • Ask questions of the “experts” • Create and analyze a survey

9. 9 1 Communicate Results Define the Problem 2 8 Brainstorm Improve Design Design Process 3 7 Research Test and Evaluate 4 6 Develop Ideas Model or Prototype 5 Choose Best Idea Develop Ideas Develop multiple ideas that will solve the problem and meet the requirements. The alternatives may all be quite diverse. • Criteria: • How will the solution actually work? • What materials should I use? • What should the product look like so that people will buy it? • Constraints: • Will it be completed by the deadline? • What size should it be?

10. 9 1 Communicate Results Define the Problem 2 8 Brainstorm Improve Design Design Process 3 7 Research Test and Evaluate 4 6 Develop Ideas Model or Prototype 5 Choose Best Idea Choose Best Idea Decide on an idea that best meets the criteria, fits within the constraints, and has the least amount of negative characteristics. List the strengths and weaknesses of each alternative. Optimization – Making improvements to the design idea for better performance or increased safety Trade-off – Giving up one desirable trait for another (i.e., giving up on using a certain material so that the object is more affordable)

11. 9 1 Communicate Results Define the Problem 2 8 Brainstorm Improve Design Design Process 3 7 Research Test and Evaluate 4 6 Develop Ideas Model or Prototype 5 Choose Best Idea Model or Prototype Model building is used to gather additional information and test design ideas. Examples: Realistic drawings or renderings help you visualize what the solution will look like in real life. Scale models or mock-ups are small, accurate representations of the final product. 3D CAD (computer aided designs) can show objects in action. A prototype is a working model; it looks and functions just like the finished product.

12. 9 1 Communicate Results Define the Problem 2 8 Brainstorm Improve Design Design Process 3 7 Research Test and Evaluate 4 6 Develop Ideas Model or Prototype 5 Choose Best Idea Test and Evaluate Models of design solutions must be tested and important questions must be answered during the evaluation. Is it safe for people and the environment? Is it comfortable? Is it affordable? Is it aesthetically pleasing (does it look good)? Will it last as long as it needs to? Does it meet the criteria and constraints? Does it work?

13. 9 1 Communicate Results Define the Problem 2 8 Brainstorm Improve Design Design Process 3 7 Research Test and Evaluate 4 6 Develop Ideas Model or Prototype 5 Choose Best Idea Improve Design After studying all test data and evaluating design solutions, you may need to make changes. Now is the time to improve a design – before production begins. During the improve design phase, you may consider new ideas.

14. 9 1 Communicate Results Define the Problem 2 8 Brainstorm Improve Design Design Process 3 7 Research Test and Evaluate 4 6 Develop Ideas Model or Prototype 5 Choose Best Idea Communicate Results Share your design ideas with others to prove the design is worthy of manufacturing. Examples: Poster Drawings Charts Prototypes PowerPoint presentation Reports Discussion

15. Image Resources Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip Art. Retrieved September 25, 2008, from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx Wikimedia commons (2008). Retrieved September 25, 2008, from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Dummies.jpg