The Design Process

 

§        Starts with a problem to be solved, or an inspirational idea, or a significant improvement to an existing product.

§        Research is the second stage of the process.  This involves the designer in gathering information, which will enable a suitable design to be created.

§        Idea generation: the most important part of the process.  This is where designing takes place.  It can be done through sketching and modelling and will only end when the ideas are refined enough to allow the product to be made.

§        Manufacture: where the product is realised.  This can be done by hand processes or by machine, depending on the scale of production.

§        Testing & Evaluating: Products are tested for safety and to make sure they actually work!  If there is a problem, they can be modified or at worst the design process has to start again.

§        Market Launch: the product is ready to be sold for use.

 

Who are the people involved in designing?

 

§        Client: the person who approaches the designer with a problem to be solved.

§        Designer: the person who will hopefully solve the problem.

§        Manufacturer: the person or company who will make the end product

§        Consumer: the person who will buy the product.

§        End user: the person who will use the product.

 

Do you know……..

 

1.    Three activities which might be carried out when researching?

2.    Why is product analysis of existing products important?

3.    Why is modelling of products carried out before manufacture?

4.    What does scale of production mean?

5.    When would a client not be involved in the design process?

6.    The consumer and the End user are often the same person.  Give an example of when they are not.