Test 1 Product Design
What is meant by the statement, "insights tend to come to prepared minds?"
"to those who have thought long and hard about a given set of problematic issues. three main sources from which problems arise: personal experiences, requirements of the domain, social pressures.
The text list 13 different prototyping tools/methods, list and describe 4 of them.
1. Be your customer: ask your client to describe or enact their typical customer's experience. Allows the client to highlight their understanding of their customers as opposed to the actual customers experience. 2. Scenario testing: the creation of future scenarios using media (photography, film and video) and asking users to provide feedback on them 3. Try it yourself: design team is given the opportunity to sample the product themselves. (gives them valuable insights into how the actual users feel when using the product being designed) 4. Storyboards: tells a convincing story of how particular users will use the product idea being proposed. Also a great prompt for discussion in four groups and interviews
7 examples of concept generation methods are described. List and explain 4 of them.
1. Brainstorming: ideas are generated efficiently (state the problem, be visual, number your ideas, stay focused on the task, keep the ideas flowing, approach the problem from different viewpoints, defer judgement, have one conversation at a time, go for quantity, every idea is valid) 2. Analogical thinking: the transfer of ideas from one context to another, utilizing information to build upon current knowledge 3. Idea Checklists: allow problems to be solved creatively (combine, modify, magnify, minimize, put to other uses, rearrange) 4. Mind Mapping: diagram used to represent ideas surrounding a central key word or idea.
13 examples of concept evaluation/selection methods are described. List and explain 4 of them.
1. Checklists: defines a products specification and identifies the users needs 2. Interviewing prospective or actual users: identifies users needs and tests the designs against these needs 3. Mock-up evaluation: evaluates product usage and user participation 4. Product Champion: an influential member of the product development team chooses a concept that determines the design direction
Define and Differentiate the 4 Fields of Industrial Design
1. Commercial Design - driven by industry wants, success is based upon sales, designers job is to create useful, useable, and desirable products that are affordable to customers all while bringing money to the business. Example: iPhone 2. Responsible Design - socially responsible design, humanitarian notion of service, the designer's goal is to serve the underserved rather than make a profit. Example: the XO laptop 3. Experimental Design - primary intent is exploration, experimentation and discovery, process is more valuable than outcome. Example: Front Design Animal Project 4. Discursive Design - encourage discourse, communicate ideas and raise awareness, found in exhibition, print and film. Example: Indigestive Plates
What are the 4 key functions involved in new product design and development?
1. Design 2. Research 3. Marketing 4. Manufacturing
What are the 6 phases of the Industrial Design Process and what happens during each phase? C
1. Investigation of Customer Needs 2. Conceptualization 3. Preliminary Refinement 4. Further Refinement and Concept Selection 5. Control Drawings 6. Coordination w/ Engineering, Manufacturing, and External Vendors
Outline the 5 stages of the creative process.
1. Preparation 2. Incubation 3. Insight "aha" moment 4. Evaluation 5. Elaboration (PIIEE)
Describe the 4 types of models given, and explain the difference between two of them.
1. Sketch models 2. mock-up 3. appearance models 4. test rigs a mock-up and appearance model a mock-up is a life size physical model made from easily fabricated materials like rigid card, wood and foam to evaluate the physical interaction, scale, and proportion of product design concepts through the early stages of the process. An appearance model is a life-size whose primary purpose is to help evaluate the design's aesthetics and convey detailed finishes, rather than product function.
Explain the difference between thematic sketches, schematic sketches and renderings
1. Thematic sketches: initial exploratory versions of how a proposed design may look. There are no rules here, therefore design drawings tend to be fluid, dynamic and overall expressive. A product's physical form, characteristics, and overall aesthetic, must be conveyed. 2. Schematic sketches: designs that focus on working within a "package." Designs are a bit more restricted than thematic sketches due to being presented to a client. The designs then become control drawings which show form, aesthetics, graphics, color, texture, finish, etc. 3. Renderings: drawings that give an impression as to what the product may be. They utilize color and bring a product to life.
What are the 5 critical goals of Industrial Design, according to Henry Dreyfuss? c
1. Utility 2. Appearance 3. Ease of maintenance 4. Low costs 5. Communication
What are 5 principles of a design - centric culture?
1. focus on user's experiences especially their emotional ones 2. create models to examine complex problems 3. use prototypes to explore potential solutions 4. tolerate failure 5. exhibit thoughtful restraint
List 4 reasons why designer make models.
1. used as part of the design development process which allows designers to visualize their 2-D designs 3-D (functionality, usability, ergonomics, proportion, and form of concepts are gone through, help with further development) 2. Helps the designer to convey their designs to others in a design team as a final representation of a design to a client. 3. Used to test public reaction to a new design, and evaluate its suitability within a market. 4. Used to test the structural integrity of a design before being implemented, or to test a particular part of a design such as a mechanism.
List 3 "hard skills" and 3 "soft skills."
3 "hard skills" include concept modeling, new product development, styling and product graphics. 3 "soft skills" include branding, CAD, trend and forecasting and graphical user interface (GUI).
Why is it beneficial for a designer to draw quickly?
A larger number of projects can be completed within a given time frame. In short this means more money for your own business or the design consultancy in which you work.
What is an "emotional value proposition" and why is design thinking useful for defining them?
An emotional value proposition is a promise of feeling. Example: If you buy a Lexus the automaker promises that you will feel pampered, luxurious and affluent. Design thinking allows us to realize that this strategy leads to a progression in business success.
What are some of the benefits and disadvantages for CAD models?
Benefits: allows a designer to visualize their designs 3-D without having to produce a full size prototype or build a scale model. Helps the designer to resolve issues such as complex arrangements of components, or the form of aluminum or steel tools for plastic moldings or die-castings. Brings presentations to life by making designs seem more real at earlier stages of the design process. Disadvantages: Computer renderings do not capture the experimental or tactile qualities that models can convey. Lack the interpretive qualities of hand generated sketches or the subtlety of sculpting a form by hand.
What does CAD/CAM stand for?
CAD/CAM stands for computer aided design/manufacturing?
What is the difference between consumer durables (hard goods) and consumables (soft goods)? Give an example of each.
Consumer durables have form and function while being suitable to target audience (cost). Consumer durables are typically designed by a team of people (mechanical and electronic engineers) and must represent the product values as well as the company in which they are sold from. Examples: lighting, domestic appliances, medical products, audio-video equipment, office equipment, automobiles, personal computers, furniture. Consumables put emphasis on appearance (form) rather than functionality. Designers are more inclined to designing what surrounds the product than the actual product itself. Examples: packaged butter, motor oil, bottled water, newspapers, soft drinks.
Differentiate presented vs. discovered problems.
Discovered problems happen when a creative person identifies the problem and the solution. Presented problems take a much shorter time to prepare and solve than discovered.
Explain the difference between divergent and convergent thinking as it relates to concept design
Divergent thinking happens when designers explore numerous solutions in a lateral manner, following creative paths. Convergent thinking is where designers follow an analytical process, creating a design in a sequential manner.
What are empathy tools used for? Give an example.
Empathy tools are used to give designers a greater appreciation of what it is like for users with disabilities or special conditions to use products. It allows designers to gain a better understanding of their issues, needs and desires.
How is industrial product different from a consumer product? What is more important about an industrial product, form or function?
Industrial products are products used within the industry. Manufacturing companies buy these products to use within their own products. It is important that these products function and perform well rather than show visual interest. Consumer products are products sold to consumers that typically are now time use items that serve both form and function.
When is design thinking not good for within an organization and when is it not useful? C
It is not good for operating streamlining or operating a stable business. It does not solve all potential problems.
Industrial Designers are primarily responsible for what two aspects of a product?
Product's aesthetic appeal and functional interfaces
Why are prototypes so important for a design centric-culture?
Prototypes explore the SOLUTION space. Ideas can be easily communicated using prototypes. They show open - mindedness, exploration and experimentation.
SCAMPER
Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse
How is the role of ID different with technology - driven products vs. user - driven products?
Technology - driven products have a core designated around technology. Emphasis is not placed on appearance/aesthetics unless you refer to the packaging. User - driven products must have a user interface that is safe, easy to use, and easy to maintain. Functionality and appearance are equally as important. Technology does not differentiate user - driven products.
What are the rules for brainstorming, and why are they necessary?
The rules for brainstorming include: stating the problem, being visual, numbering your ideas, staying focused on the task, keeping the ideas flowing, approaching the problem from different viewpoints, deferring judgement, having one conversation at a time, go for quantity, and every idea is valid. These rules are necessary because it allows for a diverse group of potential ideas and allows all voices to be heard.
Why is the incubation stage so important?
Unusual connections are made as well as helping with the creative process.
What is visual equity and how does a designer use it to establish corporate identity?
Visual equity is when a company's products maintain consistent and a recognizable appearance. Designer's use visual equity through a product's color, form, style or its features.
How do prototypes help "sell" an idea or persuade a client better than drawings or text? Give an example from the reading.
gives people two or three concrete choices, creates situation in which the audience can hash out ideas, shows how things will work together
Why prototype a bad idea?
helps you identify what may not work and along the way you may discover something new
What are some benefits to making prototypes early in a project?
prototypes help aid potential challenges, opens new possibilities of discovery, sparks innovation