Design Briefs and Specifications

• A Design Brief is a statement of what a new design should achieve.

• It's an important initial point of any design project and outlines the problems to be solved.

• It should be concise, cover all main points and not be overly technical to be understood by a wide audience.

• Always consider the resources, possible materials and manufacturing techniques, and safety regulations when creating a Design Brief

• A Design Specification is a detailed document setting out exact measurements, materials and methods to be used during manufacturing.

Design Process

• The design process is iterative and cyclical.
• It starts with identifying a need, conducting research, and creating a design brief and specification.
• This is followed by generating ideas, preparing a concept design, and developing a detailed design.
• Prototyping, testing, and evaluation is the final part of the process. Changes identified during these stages are used to refine the design.
• Key stages in the design process should be documented by sketches, notes, and technical drawings.

Design Communication

• Sketching is a quick way to capture and communicate design ideas. It's often used in the early stages of the design process.

• Orthographic Projection is a system of drawing that gives a 2D representation of an object from three different views (Front, Side and Plan View). It's used to give technical details about the design.

• A Working Drawing provides detailed information about the object, such as its exact dimensions, construction methods, and materials used.

• CAD (Computer Aided Design) systems can be used to produce 2D drawings and 3D models.

• Physical Models and Prototypes provide a tangible way of analysing and testing a design before full-scale production.

Materials and Manufacturing Techniques

• Always consider the capabilities and constraints of different manufacturing methods (such as casting, moulding, forming, and machining) when making selections.

• Consider the properties of different materials and how they'll affect the final design. For instance, consider factors like strength, flexibility, aesthetics, cost and sustainability.

Design Evaluation and Testing

• Testing prototypes is crucial to validate the design against the original specifications and identify areas for improvement.

• Feedback can be gathered through user testing, questionnaires or group discussions. These insights can be used to refine and further improve the design.

• Document all evaluations, iterations, and changes made. This provides a complete 'paper trail' of the design's development.