DT Task 4 Summary Notes

P1.1 examines design theory and practice, and

considers the factors affecting designing and producing
in design projects
Students learn about:

Design theory and practice

- Range of design professions
- Nature of variety of work of a range of design professions
- Interaction and overlap of design professions
- Australian and international designers and their work

Design process
- Design processes used in domestic, community, industrial and
commercial settings from initial contact with clients to final
presentation

Factors affecting designing and producing including:

- Appropriateness of the design solution
- Needs
- Function

The action or use for which something has been designed

-

Aesthetics

How something looks, particularly how visually pleasing it is

-

Finance
Ergonomics
Occupational, health and safety
Quality
Short-term and long-term environmental consequences
Obsolescence
Life-cycle analysis

Students learn to:

Investigate at least one designer and the nature of their work

Jonathan Ive

Studied Design at Newcastle Polytechnic in the UK

Joined design consultancy group Tangerine
Designed a range of products toilets, sinks, home furnishings
Apple was one of his clients
- In 1992, he was offered a job at their Californian headquarters
- Aim of turning around their ailing design division

Now Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple Computer

Inc.
His team are behind design for:
- iMac series
- iBook series
- some generations of the PowerMac and PowerBook
- the eMac
- the Mac mini
- Xserve and Xserve RAID
- the iPod and iPhone family
- the AirPort base station series
- Apple Cinema Display
- Studio Displays
Designs have generated millions of sales worldwide and accrued
countless awards
Opportunities in electronic product design are remarkable as you
can be working on just one product that can instantly shatter an
entire history or product types and implicated systems
Identify a range of career opportunities in design and production

Architect balance of aesthetics and functionality needs to be in

harmony. Needs to know all facets of building design from load bearing
and concrete strength to toilet function and drainage. The whole package
needs to be considered for a building to truly function.
Fashion Designer fast-paced and ever changing, fashion is whatever a
designer wants it to be. Fashion design is not a job for the conservative, as
you need to look past what is here now and find what the look of the
future will be.
Furniture Designer/Maker producing new and exciting furniture that
meets the need/opportunities and fashions of now and in the future.
Incorporating new materials and techniques as well as relying on old tried
and true methods will take the furniture maker into the future.
Graphic Artist involves developing and producing graphical images for
communication-based companies such as advertising agencies.
Industrial Designer designing and realising functional machines and
processes. Includes fields such as mining, food production, metals,
building products and electronics.
Interior Designer an eye for colour and detail is a must in this
profession that moves with social trends and opinions.
Web Designer producing interesting, functional and diverse internet
pages while keeping pace with fast-moving technologies.

Electrician design of installation is something an electrician undertakes

before every job. This ranges from power loading and load balancing
through to mood lighting and security services.
Gardener landscape design and layout must take the many
considerations of climate and position into account. The plans of ongoing
care and layout need careful consideration.
Retailer a shop owner needs to design shop layouts and merchandising
as well as marketing and research. They need to think like a customer and
design features that encourage purchases. This is an ongoing process and
needs continuous evaluation.
Advertising Creative a marketing function needs to be closely
associated with all designs. The process of advertising a product, system
or environment to the potential customer is important.
Teacher the process of lesson design is crucial to a teachers work.
Having already deigned a lesson plan it must be evaluated on an ongoing
basis to ensure it is achieving the outcomes for which it is designed.
Collaborate to work together with others on a project for a
common goal
Describe and analyse the processes undertaken when designing
1. Identifying needs and opportunities
- The need/opportunity/problem that is to be addressed
- Forms the central part of thoughts and ideas
- Finding solutions to peoples needs
2. The design brief
- Highlights problems to be solved or met
- Does not identify possible solutions
- Can be open-ended
- Can be a design proposal with specifications
Specifications detailed instructions on how
something should be done or produced
-

create statements which clearly describes what is to be

achieved
- brief should ensure clarity for designer and those working on
the project
- should combine many details to create a brief statement or
series of statements that covers all considerations
- guides designer on specific and achievable path
3. The constraints
Constraints additional details that create boundaries and guide
the project
- Time
- Team
- Materials

- Budget
4. Research/investigation
- Collecting information that considers all aspects of the
problem
- magazines, books, catalogues, manufacturers information,
past design ideas
- research must be ongoing during the design process
- investigation process looks at all the ways the project can be
achieved
5. Design specification
- Special features included into design consideration
- Consists of the concept, criteria and constraints to be
considered when designing
- Design concepts are the design ideas, variations and the final
design proposal
- Design criteria are related to the outcome (quality of outcome,
user behaviour, user benefit, maintenance, safety, purpose,
aesthetics, ergonomics)
Criteria list of requirements and specifications
Ergonomics science of designing machines, products
and systems to maximise safety, comfort and efficiency
of the people who use them and minimise harm or
physical damage
6. Design inspiration
Inspiration can come from magazines booklets, videos, personal
experience and nature.
7. Initial design ideas
- All ideas should be considered and documented, no matter
how outrageous
- Detail at this stage need not be considered
- Quick sketches used to show design ideas
8. Adaption of ideas
- Selecting ideas most promising for development
- Refinement includes form, addition of detail and clarification
of how aspects go together
- Human, material, financial and equipment resources should be
considered
- Resources can include peers, family, friends, teachers,
internet, media, finance, technologies, personal skills

Resources should be
acknowledged during all
work
- Successful designers
test, reflect and
evaluate
constantly to
improve their
final solution
Apply a design process
when developing
design projects
Identify factors affecting
design
- Needs
- Aesthetics
- Short-term and long-term
environmental consequences
- Finance
- Ergonomics
- Life-cycle analysis
- Quality
- Occupational health and safety
- Obsolescence
- function
- Analyse design products
- Compare and contrast the factors to be considered in the
design and production of design projects
These concepts should not be looked at in isolation but as part
of the overall process.
Appraise the aesthetic and functional qualities of a variety of design
products, systems and/or environments

Environment total of surrounding things, conditions or influences;

especially the combination of external physical conditions that affect and
influence our growth, development and survival

P2.1 identifies design and production processes in

domestic, community, industrial and commercial
settings environment through the development of
projects
Students learn about:

Design and production processes in domestic, community, industrial

and commercial settings
Technologies in industrial and commercial settings

Students learn to:

compare and contrast technologies and processes used in design

projects to activities of design and production in industrial and
commercial settings
Design Process
1. defining the problem or initial meeting with client
2. creating initial ideas/concept board
3. researching design ideas, genera and specific criteria
4. experimenting with tools, techniques and materials
5. developing production schedules
6. refining ideas for the design solution
7. conducting a life-cycle analysis
8. feedback from client or target market
9. finalising idea
10.
creating prototypes
11.
revising design
12.
finalising design
13.
production
14.
marketing
15.
final evaluation
Ongoing evaluation occurs throughout all stages in the design process.
This is critical to the success of the design project. This allows the
designer to reflect on their process and modify management, tools,
materials and techniques according to successes and failures.
Domestic Setting
small-scale
one-off production
home or small factory
products sold at local markets or produced to meet specific client
orders
manufacturing techniques simple to keep low costs of production
tools and machines simple and suited for domestic setting
Community Setting
small community or interest group
for common good of local people or interested parties in community
not intent on making profit
provide service or product for community employment
Industrial and Commercial Settings
large-scale production of goods
large number of people in production process
variety of manufacturing techniques
large scale machinery and tools
products more economically viable to manufacture

more funds at disposal

sophisticated manufacturing processes

Technologies used in Design Processes

research and data management: cameras, scanners, internet,
Microsoft Word, Publisher
communication: email, social websites, teleconferencing, video
conferencing, phone, fax, mobile, DVDs, USB drives
idea development: 3D-modelling,
project management: software, project management tools,
spreadsheets, databases
marketing: media, TV, radio, print, internet
Technologies used in Production Processes
Machinery efficiency and effective production
Rapid prototyping using design in CAD, rapid prototyping scans
sketches and produces a 3D prototype of the product based on
measurements and coordinates, allowing designer to see product
before being sent to production
Computer Aided Design (CAD) AutoCAD, Google Sketchup
enhance designers drawings and ideas and facilitate changemaking process and save time spent on redrawing and modifying
work. Produce more accurate drawings and allow less room for error
Computer Aided Design automated system for the design,
drafting, and display of graphic information
Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) controls movements of
machinery, usually on assembly lines for swift and efficient
production
Computer Aided Manufacturing computer program that
makes manufacturing data from CAD drawings to automate
the manufacture of a product by a computer controlled
machine
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) software controlling cutting
machines in CAM using mathematical equations, pinpointing where
a product needs to be cut, ensuring accuracy
Computer Numeric Control computer controls machine
tools for the purpose of repetitively manufacturing complex
parts of a product
Benefits of using technology in design
Action Plan a list of tasks to be completed as part of a project
Communication
- Instant 24-hour contact between designers and clients,
breaking down barriers and time
- Allows for collaborative work across many different continents,
using human resources available to both designer and client
Production of ideas
- more detailed and accurate in the drawing process

Elaborate designs are easier to achieve with a wider range of

materials and colours without having to redraw each design
- Ideas can also be shown in 3D and modifications made swiftly
using CAD software reduce costly errors
Research
- Communication technologies such as internet and email save
time in searching for suppliers and materials
- Tools and materials can be purchased from the office allowing
more time for productive work
Marketing
- Modernised print and television marketing
- viral marketing using SMS and targeted email marketing
using customer data and information about customer
behaviour collected by tracking devices that monitor internet
users
Work environments
- Work from home
- Higher efficiency
- Shorter time between initial concept, client brief and time of
production
Efficiency ratio of output or work done to energy used or input
supplied

Benefits of using technology in production process

CAD and Cam
- Error-free designs ready for production
- Accurate measurements, accurate tooling up
- Efficient methods of production
Robots
- Rapid prototyping
- Faster and larger volume of production
- Increased profit
- Upskilling of workers
Negative Impacts of technology in design and production
Initial set up technology is expensive small companies can be
precluded from competing against larger corporations who have
more funds at disposal
Unskilled workers replaced with machinery social problems
associated with unemployment can be crippling on individual or
community dependent on income from unskilled labour
High maintenance and repair costs of machinery equipment failure
interferes with production and cause huge financial burdens for
company
Pollution caused by industries detrimental impact on the
environment from large-scale use of non-renewable resources to
power technologies

Sustainable causing little or no damage to the environment

or not using finite resources and therefore able to continue for
a long time
extended use of electronic communication can lead to social
isolation

Summary
design process covers the initial contact with a client or
development of an idea through to final product
the production process begins once the design idea is finalised
Effective production must involve a schedule. A number of tools,
techniques and production processes are used.
Production settings are divided up into three sectors:
1. Domestic setting small-scale or one-off production
2. Community settings small community or interest groups
developing a company/cooperative for the common good of
the local people or interested parties within the local
community
3. Industrial settings large-scale production, using a large
number of people in the production process and a variety
of manufacturing techniques and machinery

P2.2 explains the impact of a range of design and

technology activities on the individual, society and the
environment through the development of projects
Students learn about:
Environmental and social issues including:
personal values
cultural beliefs
sustainability
safety and health
community needs
individual needs
equity

Students learn to:

assess the impact of the activities undertaken in the development

of design projects on the individual, society and the environment
evaluate examples of design and production and relate these to
environmental and social issues

The Impact of Activities undertaken in the Development of Design

Projects

Ethics a system of accepted beliefs which control behaviour,

especially one based on morals
Considerations for the individual, society and the environment

personal values
cultural beliefs
- geography, climate, religion, history, traditional practices,
cuisine, morals and laws
- multiculturalism
sustainability
- without affecting resources of people in the future
- avoid use of finite natural resources
- effect of the disposal of products
- life-cycle analysis
safety and health
- appropriate procedures, tools and techniques
- comply with WorkCover, Standards Australia and OHS
Appropriate suitable for an occasion or use
Hazard anything that can potentially cause harm or loss

community needs same location, needs, interests, facilities

individual needs
- qualitative or quantitative research methods
- improve quality of life
equity
- equal accessibility to the product, system or environment

Summary

all products, systems and environments impact on the individual,

society and the environment throughout the production and design
stage
factors such as personal values, cultural beliefs, sustainability,
safety and health, community needs, individual needs and equity all
impact the way in which a product, system or environment is
designed and produced
we must all work towards using ecologically friendly devices in the
home, school and workplace
industries must work towards reducing their impact on the
environment

P6.2 evaluates and uses computer-based technologies

in designing and producing
Students learn about:
Computer-based technologies and their application including:
modelling

research
simulation and graphics
communication
presentation

Students learn to:

Discriminate in the choice and use of computer-based technologies

to develop, communicate and present design ideas and processes.
Computer technology and design
It is the designer, not the computer, who is able to consider the impact of
developments on the individual, society and environment.
Computer-based technologies
Designers are often heavily reliant on computer-based technologies as
they allow them to work flexibly and efficiently. Computer technologies are
used at every stage of a design process, from the initial research to the
manufacturing of the final product, system or environment.

Choose the most appropriate technologies that will enable to realise

project in most creative and effective way
Choice based on what is available
Software ranges in function from the simplest word processing and
graphics program to presentation and voice recognition software
A computer is limited without external devices
Scanners, printer, digital cameras, data projectors, production
machines and video recorders make the computer an outstanding
tool for presenting information related to the design process

The application of computer-based technologies

Modelling
- 3D modelling which can be viewed from different angles
- CAD
- Develop design concepts in detail on screen as a real object
with movement of the real product
- Testing without model-making
- 3D printing, rapid prototyping
- CAM
- Exact replicates produced
3D Printing the building of physical models, directly from CAD
data

Research
- Gather statistics about a range of topics
- Examine the work of other designers
- Gather data about different materials
- Access databases and encyclopaedias

Read the newspapers and current research articles

Communicate with designers, producers and authors
Use less traditional sources of information, such as blogs,
forums and podcasts
- Find new and interesting information that adds to your
research
Simulation
- Informs decision making and improves quality of final product
- Representing key characteristics or features of a design
- Simulate environment in which product or system is used
- Provide a visual experience of the final design for clients and
testing
- Test aesthetic and function
Graphics
- Simulate and present designs
- Animation
Communication
- ICTs
- Video-conferencing and Voice Over Internet Protocol
- Overcome distance and time
- Identity card readers, digital white boards, smart phones,
laptops, notebooks
- Internet speed and broadband services
- Information sources
- Communicate through images, graphics, 3D examples, test
pieces, samples
Presentation
- Simplicity
- Illustrate one idea at a time
- Information that supports statements
- Experiment with layouts
- Proofread work
- Clear and easy to read fonts
- Contrasting colour fonts against background
- Avoid shades for background colour
- Test presentation before submitting
- Diagrams
- Quality photographs
- Video
- Less is more

Summary

Similar in industry, students can complete their research,

presentation ideas and production of plans with greater efficiency
and to a higher standard than ever before by appropriately using
computer technologies
The use of CAD and computer modelling has enabled designers to
easily identify more appropriate designs and allow designers to see

their work as it would be in the colours and textures of the finished

product at various stages in the design process
Evaluate and describe processes you followed to the assessor