Students are presented with a design situation, from which they identify a problem that needs to be solved. They analyse the need for a solution and conduct an inquiry into the nature of the problem.
Ai - Inquiring and analysing.mp3A detailed explanation and justification of why the product is needed and what the problem is. This should include:
You have been given a problem to solve (which is the Emergency Shelter), explain it and justify the need to solve it.
Client Interview (REQUIRED)
It's time to develop your questions and collect the client answers. Your client could be your mother, father, brother, sister, uncle, auntie or friend at school but select one to be your client as you will need access to them throughout the unit. Please feel free to assign a position to your client in an organisation who you know will require your emergency shelter. You now write down a list of questions to ask them related to the design of the Emergency Shelter unit. Try to aim for 10 - 15 questions and their answers.
You must ask and provide evidence for the following questions to investigate the situation chosen for you YOU PROVIDE A LIST OF QUESTIONS AND A LIST OF ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS:
1) What is the nature of the problem?
2) Who is it a problem for?
3) Where is the problem occurring?
4) What is the cause of the problem?
5) What effect is the problem having?
6) ..........................
7) ..........................
8) - (15) ..............
*the above are only suggestions and you can develop your own set of questions; also, please feel free to add in more*
Introductory Paragraph (REQUIRED)
In this section, write a paragraph about what you will hopefully achieve at the end of the Emergency Shelter unit after you have completed all Crit A - D and what the reader can expect to see included in your work. This is where you EXPLAIN and JUSTIFY the need for a solution to a problem.
Note: Please do not forget to " justify" what you are "explaining"; always think of the WHY you are saying what you are saying and give a convincing reason for any statements made
Aii - Inquiring and analysing.mp3Brainstorming of potential problems to be solved (REQUIRED)
A list of specific problems that you could address when you are completing the design of the Emergency Shelter unit and the building of the product; what problems could arise which you will be required to find a solution for? Write a list of bullet point words such as:
*the above are only suggestions and you can develop your own areas to investigate; also, please add more to the list supplied*
Brainstorming of Possible Solutions (REQUIRED)
Evaluate each. Copy and paste the list of bullet point words above in the first Brainstorm of potential problems to be solved and then write a description against each; how will you address each of the areas identified as you work through the unit and why are they important to your project?
Note: feel free to create a Mindmap (OPTIONAL)
Aiii - Inquiring and analysing.mp3Before beginning to develop a specification/success criteria and designs, students need to identify existing products that solve a similar problem, could partially solve their problem or could give them ideas on how to solve their problem.
Case Study (REQUIRED)
Photos of at least THREE existing ideas from a website; however, please feel free to include more than three ideas
An evaluation of what is good, what is not so good with the existing design
What ideas did you get for your own product?
There may be a wide range of products that solve similar problems to the one assigned.
Students analyse each existing product and give information related to its strengths, weaknesses, function and aesthetics .
Note: please remember to include photographs or a hyperlink of the products you are evaluating.
Aiv - Inquiring and analysing.mp3Design Problem (REQUIRED)
Summarize your main findings from the research completed in Ai, Aii and Aiii which is related to your Emergency Shelter unit.
Example:
A number of houses have been broken into on my street. It has been noticed that the number of strangers walking down our street has increased lately and house holders are becoming concerned about the security of their houses. The police have advised people to make their houses look as if they are occupied when they go away for a holiday or even out for the evening. This may deter a potential thief from breaking into either the house or garage.
The Neighbourhood Watch scheme has also been introduced recently and this has helped people feel more secure. However, even though neighbours will keep an eye on your property if you decide to go out and leave the house empty, they cannot watch twenty four hours a day.
Often even the police ignore house alarms when they are activated because of the high number of false alarms.
Design Brief (REQUIRED)
Now, taking all of the information you have collected above create a very simple design brief using the tips below:
1. Always start the design brief with “I am going to design and make .....” This is followed by a general description of the type of product you feel will answer the design problem.
2. Do not be too specific. The brief should be a general description that allows you flexibility regarding the type of product you intend to make. For example, if you are designing an automatic animal feeder it may be a good idea not to say the type of animal it is for, at least not at this stage in the project.
3. Do not be specific about materials. It may be wise to avoid stating the exact materials it will be manufactured from (e.g. pine, steel, perspex etc...). Instead describe the materials to be used as strong, tough, flexible, natural, man-made, recycled, water-proof or similar general descriptions.
4. Mention points such as; safety, general size, what it will do (it’s functions), general properties of the materials needed, who it is for (e.g. children), basic cost of manufacture or a lower and upper cost limits, circuit requirements and other points you feel are important.
Here is an example from technologystudent.com
Design Brief for a Pop-Up Card: I am going to design and make a mechanical or pop-up ‘get well’ card for my younger brother. The card will be amusing to young and older people and state ‘get well’ very clearly. The card will be easy to read and be distinctive as well as cheap to produce. It may be based on existing characters or new ones designed by myself. The card will involve simple movement and this will improve the impact of the message on the card. It will be made from quality materials. The colour scheme will be chosen carefully so that card appears bright and cheerful. Most of all it will cheer up my brother and aid his recovery.
## DO NOT FORGET TO INCLUDE A PARAGRAPH EXPLAINING THE DESIGN PROBLEM BEFORE THE DESIGN BRIEF ##