The design cycle model and the design process. The first main topic area we are going to examine is “The Design Process” We will consider five main areas – the design cycle model and the design process, generating ideas and communicating ideas.

The Design Cycle Model and the Design Process Designers use Design Cycle Models to represent the design process. Some design cycle models are simple and some are more complex. The design process usually consists of successive stages that can be arranged for a systematic, cyclical process which eventually converges that eventually converges to produce a solution to a problem

Designers and the design cycle The Design Cycle is central to your understanding of design activities and to organising your own investigation work. Each element of the design cycle represents how designers progress through the design process with the design solution becoming progressively more refined at increasingly specific levels of detail.

The IB design cycle model Identifying needs Researching Evaluating Generating ideas Realizing solution Developing solutions

The IB simple design cycle model The IB Design Cycle Model (DCM) consists of the following stages: Identifying or clarifying a need or opportunity Analysing, researching and specifying requirements Generating ideas and solutions Developing the chosen solution Realizing the chosen solution Testing and evaluating the chosen solution.

Design Brief Definition: The Design Brief is the formal starting point for a new design. It is a statement of the expectations of the design.

The Design Brief The brief does not provide the design solution, but is a statement of the design problem and should identify: The design goal The target market Major constraints Design criteria

The Design Goal You should state what you intend to produce at the end of the process. The design goal could be that you intend to produce a working prototype which can be evaluated in terms of its feasibility for volume production.

The Target Market You must identify who the target market for the product is. For example: children, disabled adults, diabetics, the elderly, etc.

The Major Constraints You need to identify any major constraints within which the product must be achieved. Constraints can include limited materials, costs, should comply with new legislation, have fewer working parts, be cheaper to manufacture, etc

Design Criteria This is the design criteria by which a good design proposal may be achieved. For example it may be increased value for money and/or cost-effectiveness for manufacturer.

Identifying or clarifying a need or opportunity The context of the problem is described and a concise brief stated. The design process can begin with a problem, an identified need, a market opportunity, a demand, a desire to add value to an existing product, or a response to opportunities presented by technological developments.

Identifying or clarifying a need or opportunity The initial design problem is a loose collection of constraints, requirements and possibilities. From this the designer has to make a coherent pattern. The design brief states the intended outcome and the major constraints within which it must be achieved

Design Specification Definition: The design specification justifies the precise requirements of a design. The specification will include a full list of the criteria against which the specification can be evaluated.

Design Specification Developing the specification from the Design Brief is an evolving process, initially generating a specification following the brief, and culminating in a final product design specification (PDS).

Product Design Specification The PDS states and justifies the more precise limits set for the complete range of performance requirements. The PDS will identify demands (areas which MUST be met) and wishes (areas which SHOULD be met). The specification will include a full list of the criteria against which the design can be evaluated.

Generating ideas and solutions Divergent thinking is used to consider ways in which a problem may be solved. The starting point for the generation of ideas should be the design specification and proposals should be evaluated against this specification with evidence of relevant research used to rate the ideas in terms of their usefulness. A variety of approaches should be used and different possibilities explored and analysed before deciding on the most suitable solution.

Developing the chosen solution A final concept is developed taking into account the conflicting needs of the manufacturer and the user, and the requirement of the design as set out in the specifications. A complete proposal is developed based upon the research and the designer’s personal ideas. This stage involves detailed drawings (of a style relevant to the task).

Testing and evaluating the chosen solution. The final outcome is tested and evaluated against the requirements set out in the specification. Recommendations for modifications to the design are made. A reiteration process should now begin.

The IB design cycle model Each of the elements in the cycle contribute to the process inherent in design technology and constitute a holistic approach. Any given element should therefore be viewed in the context of the whole process. Throughout the design technology course, the principles of design are emphasized in a range of contexts which are intended to broaden as the student progresses through the course. The student, as a consequence, grows more confident in the application of such principles to a range of problems.

The IB design cycle model The design cycle model emphasizes that designing is not a linear process. Evaluation, for example, will take place at various stages of the process, not just at the end. Similarly, ideas for possible solutions are not only generated at the “generating ideas” stage; some good ideas may develop as early as “identifying the needs” stage. In practice, it is impossible to separate the stages of the design process as clearly as the model suggests.

The designers role The role of the designer in the design process varies depending on the complexity of the process and the intended outcome.

The designers role Designers often work as members of a team and need to be able to interact with other designers from other disciplines. The Designers priorities will vary depending on the nature of the activity. For example: the information required by an architect will be different to that required by an engineer.

Depending upon the nature of the problem, not all elements of the cycle carry the same weight in terms of time allocation and complexity. Points to consider include cost, resources, skills, time, original design specification and product modification.

Incremental Design Definition: Small changes to the design of a product, which seem trivial, but the cumulative effect of these changes over a long period of time can be very significant. Example: Telephones.

Incremental Design Compare the two telephones. What are the differences and similarities?

Radical Design Definition: Where a completely new product is devised by going back to the roots of a problem and thinking about a solution in a different way. Example: I-pod or MP3 players.

Radical Design Compare this modern MP3 player with this personal radio cassette player. What are the similarities and differences?

Divergent Thinking Definition: Using creative ability to produce a wide range of possible solutions to a problem Divergent thinking is conceptual and problem focused, eg: used at the ideas generating phase and during development.

Convergent Thinking Definition: The ability to analyse information in order to select an answer from alternatives. Convergent thinking is analytical and solution focused, eg: used at the research stage and during evaluation.

Incremental Design + Convergent Thinking Convergent thinking is analytical and solution focused, and is used at the research stage and during evaluation. Incremental is small changes to the design of a product, which seem trivial, but the cumulative effect of these changes over a long period of time can be very significant. Incremental design and convergent thinking are closely linked because it is usually only possible to make small design stages during the research and evaluation stages, when it is assumed that the product has already been designed.

Radical Design + Divergent Thinking Divergent thinking is conceptual and problem focused, and is used at the ideas generating phase and during development. Radical design is where a completely new product is devised by going back to the roots of a problem and thinking about a solution in a different way. Divergent thinking and radical design are closely linked because big design changes or new designs can only be created at the generating ideas and developing stages. Both require creativity and imagination.

Convergent and Divergent Thinking Some elements of the design model reflect convergent and divergent thinking. Convergent thinking is analytical and solution focused, for example, during evaluation. Divergent thinking is conceptual and problem-focused, for example, used to generate ideas.

Incremental and Radical Thinking Design work is often a combination of incremental and radical thinking. For example, the use of a new material for a product may be a radical leap forwards but the product may look very similar to previous products

Incremental and Radical Thinking A tennis racquet made from carbon fibre is a radical development, but the shape and form are similar to previous designs. Fibre glass tennis racquet Wooden tennis racquets