Development of an Idea
Development of Design Ideas (Section 3) – 30%+ of total marks
Learning Objectives
By the end of Section 3 you should have developed a knowledge and understanding of:
· How to clarify the final design through decisions made through modelling e.g., virtual prototype, 3D prototype, modelling materials, constructional kits.
· Client testing.
· Consideration and selection of materials and selection of constructional details.
· Formal General Assembly (GA) CAD drawings / Engineering drawing.
· How to use simple tests to check the effectiveness of designs and evaluate against the specification – if you do not do this then you will not gain full marks!
At the start of your development, you should select a design idea, or elements of different ideas, that you feel best solves the initial problem and will satisfy both the Design Specification and your Client / User Group. There are a number of ways to start developing an idea and there is no wrong way! Some designers like to start by sketching in 2D and 3D some possible developments of a chosen idea, focusing on the initial aesthetics and slight changes in form. Many designers then like to translate the idea into 3D (foam model, card model, CAD model) so that they can start to realise the form (shape / style) and test the idea. The advantage of modelling is that it produces a 3D model where all sides, the back, the top and bottom must be considered. A model can be held and tested for ergonomics by a user and then this information can be fed back into developing the design. Models can then be photographed and used to communicate more information as you can annotate the photos or sketch over the top of them using Procreate.
Your aim should be to select and develop a chosen idea until you produce the best possible solution to solve the problem for your client / user group. This could initially be done through 2D and 3D development sketches, looking at your initial idea(s) and analyse them in greater detail asking questions against your Specification (i.e. how does your idea meet the specification and do you need to modify areas to meet it better etc.) as you develop the design further. You should develop all areas of your selected design idea, investigating all the finer and tiny details. To help you develop a design idea you MUST also use modelling to help you realise your design in 3D and make decisions as to the direction your development will take about the form, shape, aesthetics, size, ergonomics etc. As you develop models it is useful to test your design with your client / user group to see how they respond to your idea.
You should look to develop all aspects of your chosen design. If, for example, you were designing a speaker you might consider some of the following: the battery compartment, knobs, dials, switches, speakers, speaker configuration / position, speaker patterns, hole patterns for the speakers, screen, layout of buttons, stand, positions, sizes, legs, power, split lines, how parts fit / join, lugs, snap fittings, how components are held in place etc. At this point you could use some digital photos of details that you may have taken and include them on your development sheet as areas to be addressed, looking at the finer details and developing them for your design. This will also allow for additional development research to be carried out i.e., Anthropometrics data (sizes) for dials / buttons / knobs / switches etc.
Your development should always show a clear progression of your ideas, and you should annotate your designs honestly - you must discriminate / analyse / evaluate (SWOT Analysis) all areas of your design, stating what is good and bad, strengths & weaknesses, what works and what does not, and why.
Your development MUST also include the use of a range of models and ideally a perfect folder would include: CAD models, 2 x Blue / White Styrofoam, 2 x Green / Grey Foam, 1 or 2 x MDF / Laser Plywood, which you must then photograph / print / cut out / use and develop further e.g. For a speaker project you could, for example, model the battery compartment / power source at 2-3 times the scale to show how that area is to be developed in your design / how a mechanism works (sliding, snap fit, rotating etc.), and why it will be done in a certain way. You could also look at the type of texture / finish you wish to achieve. Your test development models should be finished to a high standard. You should use Onshape to help you develop your design in 3D. You can create simple shapes / forms and then use these to draw / design over using Procreate. CAD can also help you demonstrate virtually how parts could fit together.
You SHOULD try to also include photographs of YOU making the model!
In industry modelling is a key process because it enables manufacturers to test and modify products and processes. Even though modelling may involve making a number of development models, in the long run it saves time and reduces manufacturing costs because products and processes are tried and tested before manufacture. This avoids costly mistakes such as the product not functioning properly or the product not meeting customer requirements or the form of the product not being attractive. Sketched modelling techniques can also include drawing exploded views, which can show details of how parts are to fit together.
As a product develops it becomes more accurate until it becomes a ‘prototype product’. This is a detailed 3D model made from suitable materials to test the product before manufacture. By making a detailed 3D model it should help you plan:
· The most appropriate assembly processes – what order you are going to make things in and why
· How long different processes might take – get on with other jobs instead of waiting for a particular machine
· The materials, components, equipment and tools you need
· The order in which to assemble your product
· How easy the product will be to manufacture in the time available – do you need to simplify anything?
· Where and how you will check the quality of your product? – Quality Assurance / Quality Control checks against your GA (General Assembly) CAD working drawings / Production Plan / Design Specification
Exemplar student work
