I am designing an automatic pet feeder to better understand the complete process of product design from all angles. The goal is to create a reliable and appealing product that functions as intended. I am referencing this textbook to guide myself through the design process.
Literature review
Background information, including current technologies, applicable standards, market analysis, etc.
Initial client meeting
Determine the problem statement by meeting the client to assess their needs, desires and requirements regarding the product.
Create a requirements document
Based on information gathered from the initial client meeting and literature review, I created a static time-capturing document that details the project motivation, goals, objectives, requirements, specifications and constraints.
Alternatives analysis
With a completed requirements document, I began compiling multiple solutions to each requirement.
Naïve flow analysis
Traditional engineering requirements lead software only to a naïve architecture. This outlines what the architecture should look like at present but cannot adapt to future changes in requirements.
I transformed the naïve architecture into an architecture capable of surviving the product life cycle that software goes through and adapting to the changing requirements over time.
Preliminary Design Process
All components are given an initial design. The design is as comprehensive as possible but still assumed not to be the final design. Some prototypes will be needed to prove certain aspects of the design.
Thorough understanding of the design process
Improved documentation
Proficiency creating 3D models in Blender