Capstone Design Step 1

Capstone Design Step 1!

For step 1 of the final Capstone project, we had to focus on some of the most important aspects of engineering and designing. This included researching the market, customers, and existing products, sketching multiple design ideas, creating a demand and wish list for our prosthetic, and making a customer survey to get a better understanding of what people are looking for and value in a prosthetic for their pets. Step 1 was all about defining the problem, coming up with solutions to satisfy the problem, researching the needs that would have to be met by our product, creating possible designs, and producing a list of design specifications we want for our prosthetic. Capstone design step 2 is up next!

Content:

• human-centered design: an approach to problem-solving that develops solutions to problems by involving the human perspective and emotion in all steps of the process. it aims to make systems usable and useful by focusing on the users, their needs, and their values.

• design specifications: a detailed document that sets out exactly what a product or a process should present. the design specification could include required dimensions, environmental factors, ergonomic factors, aesthetic factors, maintenance that will be needed, etc.

• demand and wish list: a list of different specifications that you either need your product to have, or want your product to have. demands are things you need to make sure your product has or can perform, and wishes are things you want your product to have but it is not necessary for it to function properly.

• market research: an organized effort to gather information about target markets and customers. you must research them to know about their values and problems, in order to create a product that will help them. it is very important to the engineering, designing, and marketing aspect of inventing a new product. 

• constraints:  limitations on the design, such as available funds, resources, or time. together, the criteria and constraints are referred to as the requirements for a successful solution, so you must work around your constraints and make sure to hit all of the important criteria.

• prototypes: a simple model of a proposed solution intended to quickly test or validate ideas, design assumptions, and other parts of its conception so that the designers involved can make necessary refinements or changes to improve it.

• tinkering: a branch of making that emphasizes creative, improvisational problem-solving. It centers on the open-ended design and construction of objects or installations, generally using both high- and low-tech. it is the first step in the experiential learning continuum.

• CAD: the use of computer-based software to aid in design processes. CAD software is frequently used by different types of engineers and designers to create two-dimensional drawings or three-dimensional models. we used CAD like Onshape and Autodesk to make our sketches come to life.

• customer survey:  a method of collecting consumer feedback. it helps companies assess customer satisfaction, measure customer engagement, perform market research, and gauge expectations. we are using the feedback from our customer survey to help us out in the design process.

Reflection:

Step 1 of the final Capstone project was a lot of work, but it definitely prepared me for the next few steps of this final assignment. Throughout the past few weeks I have learned a lot about the engineering and design process. I excelled in 2 of the six 6 C's especially, but didn't do my best in 2 other categories. 

The first C I did well in was collaboration. There were a ton of assignments to complete during step 1, so my group and I collaborated with one another every day in order to get all of the work done on time. The second C I did well in was conscientious learning. I never turned anything in late these past few weeks because I managed my time well and didn't procrastinate on any of my tasks. My group and I always got our work done in an efficient and timely manner as well.

The first C I didn't do so well in, however, was communication. I communicated a ton with my team, but when it came to the market research presentation I didn't publicly speak as well as I could have. I may have stumbled on a few words and said the word "um" a few more times than I should have. Another category I wish I had been better in was my conscientious learning. Even though I said my time management was very good when it came to turning assignments in on time, I got to class a few minutes late a few days during the past few weeks, which isn't the best representation of myself. I am confident that I won't be late that often during step 2!