1. The Design and problem solving process
Intro to design process – Avon High School

2. What is a Problem?
Problem - any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty. (dictionary.com)

3. What is Design?
Design - to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed), esp. to plan the form and structure of.

4. How are these related?
In order for a problem to be solved one must first utilize the design process.
The design process enables one to:
Identify the Problem
Research the Problem
Generate Solutions
Chose a solution
Go through Feedback

5. Design Loop The Design Process Identifying problem and Opportunities
Document the Problem
Investigation and Research
Generating Alternative Solutions
Choosing A Solution
Developmental
Work
Modeling and Prototyping
Testing and Evaluating
Redesigning and Improving
Design Loop

6. The Design Process
Design describes the process of developing solutions to problems
Design is not a linear process
Two modes of design
Active
Reflective
The design process is constantly moving between the two.

7. Brainstorming Group Group work Dynamics Group members Difficulties?
All the same?
Differing backgrounds?

8. Step 1. Identifying Problems and Opportunities
Can be obvious or very complex
The identification of a problem typically requires an observation or investigation of the actual problem.
How do you identify the real root of the problem?
Be very open minded
Do not identify results of the problem, find the actual problem.

9. Step 2. Document the Problem
You will need to document the problem.
Manners in which you can document the problem include:
Written Observations
Pictures
Interviews

10. Step 3. Research and Investigation
The importance of investigation and research cannot be overemphasized.
Very few solutions are new.
Most inventions involve previously know principles of concepts.

11. Step 4. Generation of Alternative Solutions.
Brainstorming, Brainstorming, Brainstorming, Brainstorming
The more solutions you can come up with the better your final design will be.
It is human nature to latch onto your first idea and try and make it work.
In two minutes write down as many possible ways to transport a person across a river.

12. Step 5. Choosing the Best Solution
Many ideas generated from brainstorming may not be viable due to cost, construction, or technology.
Once you have a list of possible working solutions, create a plus minus system to evaluate each one and narrow your list to three.

13. Step 6. Developmental Work
This is where communicating an idea by voice meets communicating an idea by eyes.
Size and shape have to be defined in this section
Requires a very detailed drawing of design

14. Step 7. Modeling and Prototyping
Can be non-working or working, scale or full size, 2D or 3D
Appearance models-show what the design will look like
Functional model- operate like the intended design, but may not look like it.
Prototype- Works and looks like the intended design.

15. Step 8. Testing and Evaluating
May be as simple as applying the specifications to the end product to see if it does all the things it is supposed to do.
Can involve extensive testing and data analysis that can be used to redesign the product later.

16. Step 9. Redesign and improve
One of the more important and often overlooked steps

17. Design Loop The Design Process Identifying problem and Opportunities
Document the Problem
Investigation and Research
Generating Alternative Solutions
Choosing A Solution
Developmental
Work
Modeling and Prototyping
Testing and Evaluating
Redesigning and Improving
Design Loop