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Essential Idea
Essential Idea
Graphical models are used to communicate design ideas.
Graphical models are used to communicate design ideas.
Nature and Aims of Design
Nature and Aims of Design
Nature of design:
Nature of design:
Graphical models can take many forms, but their prime function is always the same—to simplify the data and present it in such a way that understanding of what is being presented aids further development or discussion. Designers utilize graphical modelling as a tool to explore creative solutions and refine ideas from the technically impossible to the technically possible, widening the constraints of what is feasible. (1.13, 3.7)
Aim
Aim
Aim 2: The development of ideas through graphical models allows designers to explore and deepen their understanding of a problem and context of use.
Guidance
Guidance
How graphical models are used to communicate with oneself and others
How the choice of graphical models varies in relation to the context
Advantages and disadvantages of using different graphical models
Concepts and principles
Concepts and principles
Sketching versus formal drawing techniques
Sketching versus formal drawing techniques
Graphical models are 2D representations and communications of an idea. They are ways for a designer to quickly explore a number of possibilities, and then communicate these to users, clients, or their design team.
Designers might use sketching at the beginning of a design inquiry to quickly explore ideas and communicate the direction of their thinking.
As the design becomes more refined, they may switch to isometric and orthographic drawings to create a higher fidelity model that could be used to communicate information about size, scale, etc. 3D renderings in CAD might be used to communicate with the client or other members of the design team.
In each case, different types of models are being used to achieve different outcomes.
2D and 3D graphical models
2D and 3D graphical models
Designers work with both 2D and 3D graphical models. 2D models represent detail, proportion, measurements, and relationships.
These can be considered "flat views" of an object
Orthographic drawings show all the details and dimensions of an object, and are typically produced at a high level of fidelity (detail).
3D graphical models show how design might look. Their purpose is to communicate a sense of proportion, scale, and aesthetics. 3D graphical models can take several forms depending on their function.
Both 2D and 3D graphical models typically include annotations in the drawing. Annotations are used to
record thoughts about features of a design
clarify function, material, or purpose of features
identify possible areas for improvement
It is expected that your sketches include annotations
Additional resources for Orthographic Drawing
Additional resources for Orthographic Drawing
Tinker Hatfield, Designer for Nike
Read the interview here
Designers use a range of drawings to communicate a 3D view of an object.
Designers use a range of drawings to communicate a 3D view of an object.
Orthographic Drawings
Orthographic Drawings
Orthographic drawings show the "side" of an object.
Features
show the "side" of a product
no vanishing point or perspective
accurate representation of form
Application:
used in planning drawings to communicate dimensions, form, and shape
Communicate detailed and accurate information for manufacturing
These orthographic views of an iron show how the design looks from different perspectives. Each view is aligned with the others and is drawn to the same scale.
Isometric Drawings
Isometric Drawings
Isometric drawings show the shape and form of an object.
Features
do not have vanishing points (compare with perspective drawings below)
drawn on a 30/90/30 degree grid.
Application
Used to communicate the overall form of a product
The isometric view of the Mondrian chair shows its overall form.
Part and assembly drawings
Part and assembly drawings
Exploded isometric drawings show how an object with more than one component might be assembled. Parts are depicted in the order of how they are assembled.
Assembly drawings show how an object may be assembled. They may be shown as an exploded isometric drawing. Their primary purpose is to communicate the sequence of assembling a project.
Assembly drawings include the names and numbers of parts, as well as bill of materials (BOM).
Exploded isometric drawing of a pen. Source
Assembly drawings can be quite complex and have many steps. IKEA furniture, for example, is designed to be assembled by the user. Each product includes detailed assembly drawings.
Kura Reversible Bed full assembly instructions. Click here to see the full detailed assembly instructions. Note how the instructions are communicated graphically, with no words.
Orthographic and Isometric drawings are important components of Criterion C and E(HL) of the DT IA.
Orthographic and Isometric drawings are important components of Criterion C and E(HL) of the DT IA.
Download pdf of this poster here
Perspective Drawings
Perspective Drawings
Perspective drawings are drawings showing an object as if viewed from a single point. They attempt to represent space by using foreshortening, and vanishing points.
These types of drawings are often used in early planning stages to communicate what a design might look like. Most people are familiar with perspective drawings. They are a more accurate representation of what the design
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Comparison of orthographic and perspective rendering of a building. Notice how the perspective drawings have a vanishing point, while the orthographic does not.
Isometric Perspective
Comparison of different graphical models
Comparison of different graphical models
Advantages
Advantages
Disadvantages
Disadvantages
Sketching
Sketching
quick to create
no specialized tools required
easy to communicate with others
no details
may not accurately represent the final product
Orthographic
Orthographic
highly accurate
can be used to produce a product
clear communication with manufacturer
requires specialized CAD skills and equipment
clients may not easily understand the drawings
time-consuming to create (compared to sketching)
require careful planning
Isometric
Isometric
shows overall view
easily understood by client and manufacturer
not accurate (missing details like dimensions; some sides not shown)
may not look like the finished product
Perspective
Perspective
realistic looking
easily understood by client
time consuming to produce
not accurate (missing details like dimensions; some sides not shown)
require developed skills to accurately represent a product (i.e. a poorly drawn perspective drawing looks "wrong")
Assembly
Assembly
easily understood by client and manufacturer
time consuming to produce
requires specialized CAD skills and equipment
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