The Design Process © Leon Grant 2003 Used with expressed consent from copyright holder for CTAE Resource Network purposes.

Benefits of a Design Project Develop higher order thinking skills Develop higher order thinking skills Exposure to a formal design process Exposure to a formal design process Interdisciplinary Connections Interdisciplinary Connections Geometry, Trigonometry & StatisticsGeometry, Trigonometry & Statistics Physics & Physical SciencePhysics & Physical Science Model BuildingModel Building Research, Writing & Oral PresentationResearch, Writing & Oral Presentation Team Work & Problem Solving SkillsTeam Work & Problem Solving Skills Discovery Based Learning Discovery Based Learning Multiple Learning Modes Multiple Learning Modes Relevant Learning Experience Relevant Learning Experience

The Design Process 1.Problem definition 2.Research and investigate the problem 3.Develop possible solutions 4.Choosing the best solution 5.Developmental work 6.Build a prototype 7.Test and evaluate the prototype

Request For Proposal (RFP) Students will be given a request for proposal handout. The handout will include the following: Client Design Problem OverviewClient Design Problem Overview Client Design ConstraintsClient Design Constraints Clients Proposed Project ScheduleClients Proposed Project Schedule

Problem Definition A well defined problem… Adequately defines the problem Adequately defines the problem Establishes agreement between client & engineer Establishes agreement between client & engineer A poorly defined problem promotes ambiguous solutions promotes ambiguous solutions Good Design constraints Sets limits Sets limits Establishes a framework for the problem Establishes a framework for the problem Can serve as legal criteria for fulfilling contractual obligations Can serve as legal criteria for fulfilling contractual obligations

Contract Proposal Rewrite the design problem in your own words. Be as descriptive as possible. Rewrite the design problem in your own words. Be as descriptive as possible. Develop a detailed list of design constraints (a partial list will be provided) Develop a detailed list of design constraints (a partial list will be provided) Sketch a diagram or illustrations to define the problem. Sketch a diagram or illustrations to define the problem. Clarify your understanding of the problem through dialog with the client (teacher) & research. Clarify your understanding of the problem through dialog with the client (teacher) & research. Have client & engineer come to an agreement & sign proposal Have client & engineer come to an agreement & sign proposal

Step 2 - Research and Investigate The Problem Use web diagram to identify major design component obstacles Research & evaluate past solutions Research each design component

Web of Design Challenges New School Desk Design US K-12 Population Anthropometric data Ergonomic Guidelines & Design Standards Available Materials Available Manufacturing Processes Summary Of Existing Designs

Research Sources Technical Journals Technical Journals Technical Societies Technical Societies Research University Research University Corporate R&D Labs Corporate R&D Labs ERIC &Galileo Database ERIC &Galileo Database Reverse Engineering Reverse Engineering Product/Sales Engineers Product/Sales Engineers Product catalogs Product catalogs Federal & Local Guidelines & Design standards Federal & Local Guidelines & Design standards

Step 3 – Create Possible Solutions Members work independently and develop at least 2-3 possible solutions (w/ sketch). Members work independently and develop at least 2-3 possible solutions (w/ sketch). Brainstorm & Collaborate as a group and develop at least 5 possible solutions. Brainstorm & Collaborate as a group and develop at least 5 possible solutions. Make a labeled sketch/diagram of each solution. Make a labeled sketch/diagram of each solution. Write a brief description of how each solution works. Write a brief description of how each solution works.

Create Possible Solutions

Step 4 - Pick the Best Solution Use the design analysis worksheet to objectively select the best design Use the design analysis worksheet to objectively select the best designdesign analysis worksheet design analysis worksheet Select the top 5 design constraints & weigh each constraint. Select the top 5 design constraints & weigh each constraint. Analyze each design based on the selected constraints. Analyze each design based on the selected constraints. Select the best design Select the best design

Step 5 Analysis/Developmental Work Perform any calculations or engineering analysis needed for the design (show work). Perform any calculations or engineering analysis needed for the design (show work). Construct any test models. Construct any test models. Develop detailed drawings, assembly drawings and schematics. Develop detailed drawings, assembly drawings and schematics.

Step 6 - Build a Prototype Students use the K’nex and other resource materials to build a prototype of their design.

Step 7 - Test and Evaluate the Prototype Perform tests and evaluations on prototype. Perform tests and evaluations on prototype. Develop a list of design changes for and rationale for the changes Develop a list of design changes for and rationale for the changes Make changes and repeat test to validate modifications Make changes and repeat test to validate modifications

Student Presentations Students will present their designs. Students will present their designs. A Summary of their Product Development (design cycle)A Summary of their Product Development (design cycle) Technical overviewTechnical overview DemonstrationDemonstration Analysis of prototype’s performance compared to the design criteriaAnalysis of prototype’s performance compared to the design criteria Recommendations for future modificationsRecommendations for future modifications

Design Competition Perform head to head prototype competition Perform head to head prototype competition Award a winner Award a winner Celebrate the group’s achievement Celebrate the group’s achievement