MSD: Ideas Development

The same design in lots of different ways!

The development stage is important because it allows you to improve upon your best design and make it even better. This stage allows you to edit and change minor design feature to your idea - it might mean the following:

Changing rounded corners to pointy corners or pointy corners to rounded corners.
Trying a different colour theme.
Adjusting some of the shapes within your design - making some smaller or some larger.
Editing the shape of the eyes, mouth, hands or feet if you have such features.
Adding extra features that you feel were missing from your initial idea.
Removing features that you feel do not work well.

Example 1

The student was sure they wanted to design a water bottle that could turn into a cup.

In Ideas Development they tried:

Different size bottles - some taller some shorter.
Different shape bottles - some thinner at the bottom and some fatter at the top.
Different handle styles - some with a lanyard strap on the side and some with a top plastic handle.
Different cups styles - some turn into a regular cup, others turn into a mini soup bowl.
The colour has not changed - maybe this is a design restriction they cannot change.
The logo does not change - is this a design restriction?

Example 2

The student was sure they wanted to design a new water bottle.

In Ideas Development they tried:

Slightly different shapes have been used - but all are still round.
Different handles have been designed and tested.
Most designs look as if they can open or come apart in different ways.

What does not change?

The size of the bottle is mostly the same - cylindrical shape. The similar size probably means they all carry the same amount of water.
Most handles are round or have a rounded edge.

What has not been included?

Colour has not been used in these renderings but grey tone shadows have still been added to improve the design quality.

Why hasn't colour been used?

Maybe the water bottles will be white or grey!
Maybe the water bottles will be made is many different colours and so colour is not relevant at this stage.
Maybe at this stage the most important thing is the design and shape of the bottle and that it is faster to draw smaller sketch designs before adding colour.

Ideas development drawing

The development stage is important because it allows you to improve upon your best design and make it even better. This stage allows you to edit and change minor design feature to your idea

Student examples of Development

Neat sketching and fine lining. Good rendering and clear comments that explain the design.

Good comments that explain the things she likes and dislikes and the changes she has made from her initial ideas.

Take time to render and blend colours. Always start with a soft light colour tone and write neatly with small handwriting.

Create A Card Test Model

A card test model can only be made once you are happy with your design. This step allows you to make a test model out of card to test if the size, shape and function is correct before you spend a long time making the real thing.

Rendering is still very important when you create your card test model - compare these 2 above.

Cutting out the card shapes to create you model is important. Cut slowly and neatly.

The trickiest part to cut is the soap tray shape in the middle. There are lots of edges to cut.

Once you have made your card test model you will have a better idea of the real size and shape. If you spot any problems then you still have time to edit your design and make changes in your final design (the next design step) before you start manufacture.