PLTW Gateway to Engineering

The Design Process

By: Ms. Terry Conaway

Ms. Paige Parker

Ms. Phonisha Hawkins

Video explaining Design Process

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What is Design?

 The word “design ” is often used as a generic term that refers to anything that was made by a conscious human effort.

Design  is also a process that is used to systematically solve problems.

A design process is a systematic problem-solving strategy, with criteria and constraints, used to develop many possible solutions to solve or satisfy human needs or wants and to narrow down the possible solutions to one final choice.

Design Process image
The Design Process
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Rocket
Courtsey of NASA
Six Steps of the Design Process
 
1.Define the Problem
2.Generate Concepts
3.Develop a Solution
4.Construct and Test a Prototype
5.Evaluate the Solution
6.Present the Solution
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What to do to Define the Problem, ask questions from yourself.

• Can you Identify a problem
•Validate the problem
–Who says it is a problem?
–Does it meet our needs and wants
–are there any prior solutions
•Justify the problem
–Is the problem worth solving?
•Create design requirements -specifications consisting of Criteria and constraints
•Design Brief will allow you to start your project.
Define the Problem
1. Define the Problem
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Decision Matrix Example
Decision Matrix Example

To Generate Concepts

  • Begin with research and  brainstorming possible solutions.
  • You may consider additional design goals.
  • Don't forget to apply STEM principles.
  • Think and then select an approach to the solution. 
  •  A Decision Matrix should be used to help evaluate the solutions decided upon to identify the most valid.
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The next step is to develop a solution.

This is to:

•Create detailed design solution
•Justify the solution path
•Create Technical Drawings
•Technical Drawings are drawings that provide technical information necessary to produce a product .
•They will include material, size, shape and assembly, if necessary
Technical Drawing Example
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Protype examples
Testable Protype Examples
Construct a testable prototype
•Plan prototype testing to ensure:
–Performance
–Usability
–Durability
•Test prototype to:
–collect test data
–analyze test data
•Test Report must be prepared
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Evaluation
Evaluation of Solution
Next Evaluate Solution
•Evaluate solution for it's effectiveness
•Reflect on design
– here is where you may recommend improvements
•Optimize/Redesign the solution
–[Return to prior design process steps, if necessary]
–Revise design documents with all changes
•Project Recommendations

This is where you ask:

Does the solution solve the problem? 

 Yes or No

If not, the designer must return to a previous step of the design process.

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Now we are ready to Present the Solution.

 

•You have been documenting the project in your project Portfolio
•Now we need to communicate the project in a formal presentation.
  • 3D animation
  • Technical Drawings
  • Test Data Analysis Results
 
Presenting
Your Formal Presentation
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Design Process Chart
Design Process Chart

Although we have presented a design process in a somewhat linear fashion, the path from identifying a problem to presenting a solution is rarely straightforward. Designers must evaluate , reflect, redefine, and redesign throughout the process. It is common to repeat steps of the design process several times before an optimal solution is found.

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