Chapter 3- Design In Practice

Question 1

Developing a product for an identified needs

(Examples)

Answer 1

Designers often conduct research to identify products which can be improved to fit their purpose better. What consumers need or want something that is better than what is currently available. Some examples are below:

• Self-Heating Gloves
• Baby Feeding Products
• One touch can opener

Question 2

Should every product have a unique reason to exist?

Answer 2

Yes… Some products might not seem worthwhile, but they would be aimed at a different market share, reduce manufacturing costs. They don’t always have to be innovative and iconic. An example of this is below…

• iPod:
  
  • started off very small so it can be transportable. Designers thought about their target user as it changed with time, it it changed to look more simple, easy to use but more attractive => touch screen

Question 3

What factors should you consider when designing a car?

Answer 3

Ergonomics: How the person relates to the car

• Leg room
• Position of the gear lever and dashboard so they can see
• Easiness of getting in and out of the car
• Additional
  
  • comfort
  • accessability of gadgets

Safety: How well would the driver/passengers be in a crash?

• Crash testing
• Weather testing
• Are they well positioned?
• How does the car perform on different road surfaces?
• Additional
  
  • Full size prototypes
  • How car would handle in different road conditions in the wet
  • Crash test simulator

Efficiency: Styling of its shapes, not aesthetically pleasing but reduces wind resistance increasing speed and fuel efficiency

• Additional
  
  • Computer modeling to test this
  • Full size models

Aesthetics: Beauty of the car, what sets it apart from the others for the customers to buy it.

• Sleek interior and exterior
• Expensive materials… leather

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Question 4

Modelling

Answer 4

A way of developing parts or all of the 3-D product using card, play, fame, would, or CAD Important stage in developing a concept, helps designer share ideas with the client

Question 5

Three ways of approaching the design process

Answer 5

• Empirical design
• Intuitive design
• Systematic design

Question 6

Empirical Design

Answer 6

A trial and error approach in design. Experimental approach and looking at past practices and predicting future products

• James Dyson used this for his products
• Analysing and observing, designers learn and develop fresh innovations.

Question 7

Intuitive Design

Answer 7

Design based on your past experiences. People with this skill are very specialist areas very well.

Intuitive designers are in areas like…

• advertising media
• magazines
• newspapers

Question 8

Systematic Design

Answer 8

A step-by-step approach, often used at GCSE level.

• Use this for your GCSE

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