The Process of Design

1. The Process of Design

2. The Need for Problem Solving • Problems arise every day • Short term • Disposing waste without harming environment • Producing enough energy to meet daily needs • Long term • Providing independence for disabled persons • Allowing drivers to communicate to prevent accidents

3. Good Design in Problem Solving • Solving problems requires • Time • Thought • Creativity • Understand the need exactly • Problems are rarely clearly defined at first • Ex: build a house for a family

4. Informed Design • The process of making choices and then coming back to refine or revise those choices at any point in the process. • Used by • engineers, architects, crafts people, artists, etc. • Choices often involve compromises (trade offs) • Cheaper materials • Simpler design to finish on time

5. 1. Clarify the Problem 2. Research and investigate 8. Communicate your results 3. Generate alternative designs (Brainstorm) 7. Redesign the solution 4. Choose & justify the optimal solution 6. Test & Evaluate 5. Develop a prototype

6. 1. Clarify the Problem

7. Step 1: Clarify the Design Problem State the Design Challenge: • Restate the problem. • Specifications– performance or output requirements that must be met • Safety considerations • Constraints –limits imposed on the design solution. • Often related to resources like materials, money, etc.

8. 1. Clarify the Problem 2. Research and investigate

9. Step 2: Research and Investigate • Search for existing or similar solutions • Identify related problems, issues, and questions • Take measurements and collect data about different materials and their performance. • Rate alternatives to compare.

10. 1. Clarify the Problem 2. Research and investigate 3. Generate alternative designs (Brainstorm)

11. Step 3: Generate Alternative Designs • Brainstorm different solution designs • Members of a group each suggest ideas • One person records them • Group discusses them after all have been presented. • Best ideas are developed further. • More research to improve on original design

12. 1. Clarify the Problem 2. Research and investigate 3. Generate alternative designs (Brainstorm) 4. Choose & justify the optimal solution

13. Step 4: Choose and Justify the Optimal Design • Decide on design that • meets specifications best, • fits into constraints, • least number of negative characteristics. • Good solutions • Work well • Inexpensive • Cause little or no harm to environment or people • Meet all specifications within the limitations.

14. Step 4: Choose and Justify the Optimal Design (continued) • More research to gather data to examine each alternative completely. • Optimization – the process of improving each alternative • Improvements lead to better performance, lower cost, increase safety.

15. 1. Clarify the Problem 2. Research and investigate 3. Generate alternative designs (Brainstorm) 4. Choose & justify the optimal solution 5. Develop a prototype

16. Step 5: Develop a Prototype • Work out design problems before production. • Detailed Drawings • Measurements • Different views – top, side, bottom, front, back • Make a scale model • larger or smaller than final product • All parts in correct proportion • Non-functioning • Make a prototype • A full scale, fully operational version of the solution • Make models and drawings to work out design problems before it is put into production.

17. Importance of Models • Product solution may be large and costly • Proposed solution needs evaluation of possible risks to people or environment • Model of nuclear power plant would be built, tested, and debugged before building the actual one. • Makes it easier to modify and refine the design • Mathematical model – equations describe how a product will function.

18. 1. Clarify the Problem 2. Research and investigate 3. Generate alternative designs (Brainstorm) 4. Choose & justify the optimal solution 6. Test & Evaluate 5. Develop a prototype

19. Step 6: Test and Evaluate • Develop different tests to assess performance • Test the design solution (prototype) • Record performance data • Analyze the data to see how well it meets specifications and constraints • Note all variables - different factors that affect the performance of the design.

20. 1. Clarify the Problem 2. Research and investigate 3. Generate alternative designs (Brainstorm) 7. Redesign the solution 4. Choose & justify the optimal solution 6. Test & Evaluate 5. Develop a prototype

21. Step 7: Redesign with Modifications • Examine your design critically • Observe other students designs to see where improvements might be made. • Continue to consider new ideas • Identify and change any variables that affect performance

22. 1. Clarify the Problem 2. Research and investigate 8. Communicate your results 3. Generate alternative designs (Brainstorm) 7. Redesign the solution 4. Choose & justify the optimal solution 6. Test & Evaluate 5. Develop a prototype

23. Step 8: Communicate Achievements • Record Everything throughout the process. • After you have settled on a final design, • present it – show it off… “SELL” it! • give summary of how it meets the specifications and fits within the constraints. • Describe the final product and how it will be used. • Describe any learning that happened during the design process.

24. Example Challenge Design a Backpack

25. Step 1: Clarify the Challenge • Problem: • Design a durable, comfortable, and moderately priced backpack to carry materials for school and other activities. • Requirements: • Must hold at least 3 books, school supplies, iPod, cell phone, and thin jacket or fleece • Have smaller pockets for cell phone, iPod, calculator, money, keys, pens/pencils • Should be brightly colored, reflective, waterproof, durable • Constraints • Be inexpensive (under $35 retail) • Be Lightweight, but strong • Adjustable so one size can be used by many. • Be completed by next week

26. Step 2: Research and Investigate • Research topics • How large? • How many pockets? • Types of materials to use? • canvas, plastic, etc • Types of fasteners? • Velcro, zippers, etc. • How much weight people can carry safely • Any existing products? Features to include? • Wheels? handles or straps? Etc

27. Step 3: Brainstorm Designs Idea 1 Idea 2 Idea 3 Stylish strap Buckle closure Buckle closure Pockets for iPod, cell phone, supplies Velcro closure Cell phone and iPod pocket Leather accents Handle for lifting Retractable handle Pockets for Cell, iPod, supplies Idea 4 Wheels for easy mobility & Reduce strain on back

28. Step 4: Choose Optimal Design • Combination of ideas 2 and 4 Retractable handle Straps for carrying Lots of pockets For cell phone, iPod, supplies, Water, etc. Wheels for Mobility and Less strain on back

29. Step 5: Develop a prototype

30. Step 6: Test and Evaluate • Recording results • Evaluating performance

31. Step 7: Redesign with modifications • Redesign Smaller pole for retractable handle Bigger pockets Stronger fabric Use larger wheels

32. Step 8: Communicate Achievements The Ultimate Backpack! Lots of pockets, large carrying capacity, retractable handle and wheels for easier mobility and less back strain. Useful for students, business people, teachers, crafters, artists, everyone! It is stylish, comfortable, roomy, durable and only costs $22 retail. The straps are adjustable. It is lightweight, weighing only 1.5 pounds and was rated 5 stars out of 5 by test subjects. While evaluating designs, we decided to combine 2 designs for our prototype. During testing the backpack failed the strength test, so we used a stronger waterproofed canvas for the fabric. It now holds up to 30 pounds of books. Reflective fabric was added to the back to reflect light while walking. The size was adjusted to be more narrow to accommodate more people comfortably.