The Design ProcessThe Design Process

© Leon Grant 2003© Leon Grant 2003Used with expressed consent from

copyright holder for CTAE Resource Network purposes.

Benefits of a Design ProjectBenefits of a Design Project Develop higher order thinking skillsDevelop higher order thinking skills Exposure to a formal design processExposure to a formal design process Interdisciplinary ConnectionsInterdisciplinary 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 LearningDiscovery Based Learning Multiple Learning ModesMultiple Learning Modes Relevant Learning ExperienceRelevant Learning Experience

The Design ProcessThe Design Process

1.1. Problem definitionProblem definition2.2. Research and Research and

investigate the investigate the problemproblem

3.3. Develop possible Develop possible solutionssolutions

4.4. Choosing the best Choosing the best solutionsolution

5.5. Developmental workDevelopmental work6.6. Build a prototypeBuild a prototype7.7. Test and evaluate Test and evaluate

the prototypethe prototype

Request For Proposal (RFP)Request For Proposal (RFP)

Students will be given a request for Students will be given a request for proposal handout. The handout will proposal handout. The handout will include the following:include the following:

• Client Design Problem OverviewClient Design Problem Overview• Client Design ConstraintsClient Design Constraints• Clients Proposed Project ScheduleClients Proposed Project Schedule

Problem DefinitionProblem Definition

A well defined problem…A well defined problem… Adequately defines the problemAdequately defines the problem Establishes agreement between client Establishes agreement between client

& engineer& engineerA poorly defined problemA poorly defined problem promotes ambiguous solutionspromotes ambiguous solutionsGood Design constraintsGood Design constraints Sets limitsSets limits Establishes a framework for the Establishes a framework for the

problemproblem Can serve as legal criteria for fulfilling Can serve as legal criteria for fulfilling

contractual obligationscontractual obligations

Contract ProposalContract Proposal Rewrite the design problem in Rewrite the design problem in

your own words. Be as descriptive your own words. Be as descriptive as possible.as possible.

Develop a detailed list of design Develop a detailed list of design constraints (a partial list will be constraints (a partial list will be provided) provided)

Sketch a diagram or illustrations Sketch a diagram or illustrations to define the problem. to define the problem.

Clarify your understanding of the Clarify your understanding of the problem through dialog with the problem through dialog with the client (teacher) & research.client (teacher) & research.

Have client & engineer come to Have client & engineer come to an agreement & sign proposalan agreement & sign proposal

Step 2 - Research and Investigate Step 2 - Research and Investigate The ProblemThe Problem

Use web diagram to identify major design component obstacles

Research & evaluate past solutions

Research each design component

Web of Design ChallengesWeb of Design Challenges

SummaryOf Existing

Designs

AvailableManufacturing

Processes

AvailableMaterials

ErgonomicGuidelines& DesignStandards

US K-12 Population

Anthropometricdata

NewSchool Desk

Design

Research Sources Research Sources Technical JournalsTechnical Journals Technical SocietiesTechnical Societies Research UniversityResearch University Corporate R&D LabsCorporate R&D Labs ERIC &Galileo ERIC &Galileo

DatabaseDatabase Reverse EngineeringReverse Engineering Product/Sales Product/Sales

EngineersEngineers Product catalogsProduct catalogs Federal & Local Federal & Local

Guidelines & Design Guidelines & Design standardsstandards

Step 3 – Create Possible SolutionsStep 3 – Create Possible Solutions

Members work independently Members work independently and develop at least 2-3 and develop at least 2-3 possible solutions (w/ sketch).possible solutions (w/ sketch).

Brainstorm & Collaborate as a Brainstorm & Collaborate as a group and develop at least 5 group and develop at least 5 possible solutions.possible solutions.

Make a labeled Make a labeled sketch/diagram of each sketch/diagram of each solution.solution.

Write a brief description of Write a brief description of how each solution works.how each solution works.

Create Possible SolutionsCreate Possible Solutions

Step 4 - Pick the Best SolutionStep 4 - Pick the Best Solution

Use the Use the design analysis worksheet to to objectively select the objectively select the best designbest design

Select the top 5 design Select the top 5 design constraints & weigh each constraints & weigh each constraint.constraint.

Analyze each design Analyze each design based on the selected based on the selected constraints.constraints.

Select the best designSelect the best design

Step 5 Analysis/Developmental Step 5 Analysis/Developmental WorkWork

Perform any calculations or Perform any calculations or engineering analysis engineering analysis needed for the design needed for the design (show work).(show work).

Construct any test models.Construct any test models. Develop detailed drawings, Develop detailed drawings,

assembly drawings and assembly drawings and schematics.schematics.

Step 6 - Build a PrototypeStep 6 - Build a Prototype

Students use the K’nex Students use the K’nex and other resource and other resource materials to build a materials to build a prototype of their prototype of their

design.design.

Step 7 - Test and Evaluate the Step 7 - Test and Evaluate the PrototypePrototype

Perform tests and Perform tests and evaluations on prototype. evaluations on prototype.

Develop a list of design Develop a list of design changes for and rationale for changes for and rationale for the changes the changes

Make changes and repeat Make changes and repeat test to validate test to validate modificationsmodifications

Student PresentationsStudent Presentations

Students will present their Students will present their designs.designs.• A Summary of their Product A Summary of their Product

Development (design cycle)Development (design cycle)• Technical overviewTechnical overview• DemonstrationDemonstration• Analysis of prototype’s Analysis of prototype’s

performance compared to performance compared to the design criteriathe design criteria

• Recommendations for Recommendations for future modificationsfuture modifications

Design CompetitionDesign Competition

Perform head to Perform head to head prototype head prototype competitioncompetition

Award a winnerAward a winner Celebrate the Celebrate the

group’s group’s achievementachievement