Development of design proposals

Developing a design proposal concerns sketching and modelling ideas in order to work out a solution to the design problem.

Design ideas are usually annotated with critical and evaluative comments that explain how ideas will meet the product design specification.

Once a design idea is chosen, the designer develops it into a final design proposal. This includes aesthetics of the product through prototype or CAD rendering as well as size, material and production considerations.

Ultimately this will result in a production drawing, materials list and manufacture schedule being produced.

Producing a prototype

Once a design has been finalized, its manufacture is planned. In industry this could involve the whole process that leads to a commercial product being released to consumers.

In a school or college this will involve the production of a prototype outcome (or range of prototypes) that can be tested and evaluated in the context of the learning environment.

Outcomes can take various forms. See Unit 1.8 for more specific details on the different forms prototype outcomes may take.

There are various type of prototype outcomes and these have been addressed in previous units.

There are two supporting presentations where you can find out more about the different types of prototype and how prototypes do not always need to be attractive to be innovative and functional.

These can be found in the NEA supporting lessons:

EX2: Products and prototypes

EX3: An ugly prototype

Summary

The design process is not a linear process that starts with a design problemand finishes with a product!

It is a continuous cycle that seeks to constantly improve products and the user experience. This is the nature of iterative design.

UCD employs techniques that investigate the needs and wants of the user, and aims to make products mores usable.

Primary investigation is essential for finding out information that will be most useful in developing a design specification.

Anthropometric data is an important area to research in order to ensure prototypes are the correct size

Ergonomics are a key consideration when investigating how a product can be developed

When designing it is crucial to involve clients and potential users.

Market research is used to obtain information on people’s values, needs and wants.

Revision Notes

There are many design methods used and most will be familiar to you from your NEA work but there are methods that are more suited to industry that you should be aware of.

You will follow an iterative design process that will result in several models and prototypes before your final outcome.

Your own design work should be based on UCD wherever possible.

Primary and secondary research methods will be necessary in your NEA, most of which will be undertaken in the early stages of the design process.

Your own outcome will be a prototype, not a product. It is unlikely to be commercially available so it will be a one-off or possibly a small batch depending on the nature of the design.

Ensure you understand the difference between user needs and wants and how these can be explored in your own design work.