The 10-Step Design Process

Research (steps 1-6)

1. Identify Needs
What's the problem?

2. Information Phase
What exists?

3. Stakeholder Phase
What's wanted? And who wants it?

Napoleon Toothbrush
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NapoleonToothbrush.jpg
Image by Taco Witte on Wikimedia.License CC BY.

Research (cont.)

4. Planning/Operational Research
What's realistic? What limits us?

5. Hazard Analyses
What's safe? (What can go wrong?)

6. Specifications
What is required?

Design (steps 7-9)

7. Creative Design
Ideation

8. Conceptual Design
Potential solutions

9) Prototype Design
Create a version of the preferred design

Verification (step 10)

10) Verification
Does it work? If not, redesign

End Solution

 Dieter and Schmidt, Engineering

Design, McGraw Hill Edu, 2013

Design Process
1. Identify Needs
2. Information Phase
3. Stakeholder Phase
4. Planning/Operational Research
5. Hazard Analyses
6. Specifications
7. Creative Design
8. Conceptual Design
9. Prototype Design
10. Verification

Design Process Exercise Map steps to cooking dinner

1. Identify Needs
2. Information Phase
3. Stakeholder Phase
4. Planning/Operational Research
5. Hazard Analyses
6. Specifications
7. Creative Design
8. Conceptual Design
9. Prototype Design
10. Verification

Structured Design Process

Most of the design problems we undertake as
professionals do require a structured process of
design.
The advantage of this may not be seen first but in the
long run it shows its advantages.
An elegant design is the ultimate goal of a designer. It
is a design that is original, appealing, cost effective,
user friendly, safe and green.
Example: Bifocal spectacles *
Module1- Bi-focal glasses.pptx

Structured Design Process

Design process has many stages
1. Product or Problem identification
2. Problem Definition
3. Design goals and functions
4. Gather sufficient data or
get new knowledge through research
5. Brainstorming and ideation
6. Evaluation of potential solutions
7. Conceptual design
8. Design Detailing

Structured Design Process

8. Standardization needs

9. Prototyping
10. Testing
11. Design Modifications
12. Freezing the design
13. Cost analysis
14. Realization/Manufacturing
15. Quality Assurance
16. Feed back analysis for design improvement.

Figure: A five-stage prescriptive model of the design process, presented as a spiral to convey
the idea that design is not a simple linear sequence of tasks to be done. The design stages are in
rectangles, and each stages outputs are in ovals.

Product / Problem Identification

Here the need gap is the focus.
This is often spelt out in a vague and general fashion Need something to lift a very heavy box.
In certain cases instead of problem identification one
can focus on product identification.
- Need a container for 25 l of mineral water.
One cannot proceed much with such vague problem
identification.
Clear problem definition is critical to design.

Problem Definition
Clarity on the problem can be obtained by
questioning.
Problem: Transportation of 30l of mineral water.
Vague definition:- A container is to be designed.
Why a container is required?
Where is it be used?
How much weight is to be transported?

Problem Definition
Is the water in one or more bottles?
What is the size limitation for the container?
Is container lifted, pushed, turned? If so how?
Are the containers transported in a truck?
Has the truck any provisions for this? *
Module1- Defining the problem.pptx

Problem Definition
What?, Why?, When?, Who?, Where? are the questions to
be clarified at every stage of the design process.
From the answers to these, one can define the problem with
more clarity.
This is essential for proceeding with the design.
Otherwise, at later stages, one may encounter design
gaps.

Design Functions
They are the things that a designed device(system) is
supposed to do.
Examples lift a load, turn a lever, deliver a voltage
etc,.
Functions are classified as Basic and Secondary.
Basic function is the main objective of the design.*
Module1- Design functions.pptx

Design Functions
To have that, there has to be many secondary
functions.
While doing the function the design may produce
unwanted secondary functions. (heat, noise, smell)
Discuss the design function, secondary functions and
unwanted functions produced by a product.*
Module1- Design functions.pptx

Design Functions
Functional Analysis:Like functions in mathematics, it is the transformer of inputs to out puts.

Example: Electric Drilling machine

Inputs: Energy, Clamping force, Control
Output: Rotating Drill , Heat, Noise, Vibration.

Design Functions
Functional Analysis:To focus on the design one has to further understand the
functions based on the input to achieve the output.
In the case of the drill, Power is an input. One function
will be to get the power connection using wires.
Conversion of electrical power into mechanical poweranother function
Control- Control by a switch
Force To hold the drill bit by a suitable method.

Design Functions
Known functional designs- Electric motor
Listing all sub functions for achieving the final
function.
Speed changes for the drill- gears, shifting gears.
Function Means Trees
This is a simple graphical representation of a designs
basic and secondary functions and the ways of
achieving them.

Design Functions
Function Means Trees

Specifying Functions
Functional needs are to be well defined for achieving
the design objectives.
For this we have to specify the functions.
In engineering this is termed as Specifications.
These could be in any of the following ways.
Specify the values Drilling machine- Wattage.
Specify the procedures As per IS -21X
Specify performance level Should drill concrete.

Defining the Design Space

This is an imaginary space for design alternatives for a problem. Simply this means the vastness of the
possibilities.
Now that the design requirements have been clearly spelt out, all the design options available should be
explored.
A large design space means there are many design options available.
Totally new designs may have small design space.
Buildings for example have a large design space.
Give an example of a product with limited design space.

Defining the Design Space

Design space is generated by the functions and means discussed earlier.
By having a table incorporating these two one can assess the design space.
A chart can be made that can show the different possibilities for a design.*

Morph Chart

 A formal tool for generating design spaces and for generating

within those spaces a population of designs that perform the
functions we specify

Fig: Morphological (Morph) chart for juice container design problem 720
design alternatives !!!

 Feasible Alternatives

Infeasible combinations

Defining the Design Space

To generate a good design, we need divergent ideas and
later converge on the ideas.
Generating ideas is an intellectual exercise.
Thinking without constraints, allows to bring in a lot of
ideas (workable or not) - Brain storming.
Sitting around a table and writing ideas in brief and then
circulating them among the members for their short written
comments and further exploring based on the comments
can provide different ways of looking at the solution.
( One can also use black boards, or slips of paper )

Defining the Design Space

Brain Storming:No criticism or evaluation of ideas
Uninhibited approach to thinking
Bring in ideas fast and spontaneous
Here at the initial stage, Quantity is desired over
quality
Combine or modify ideas
Build upon another s ideas
Bring in the solutions to similar problems
AT THE END CRITICIZE, EVALUATE AND RANK THE
OPTIONS.

Defining the Design Space

For a totally new product the design space is limited.
If the design space is small, to get workable solutions one
has to do through study of many other systems or products
that are similar and look for ideas.
At times innovative ideas are to be experimented and
decided upon.
Designs in advanced areas often need research inputs.
In brief the Design Space allows us to explore the
possibilities and evaluate their suitability for a good design.

Analogies in Design
Design by Analogy:
Analogy is the process of connecting two seemingly
different domains that share something in common.
Make use of existing examples to initiate ideas to solve a
new problem.
Creative people use analogical reasoning to arrive at
solutions.

Analogies in Design
This involves relating the existing problem to some
segments of solved problems.
This gives possible solutions from existing solutions.
Certain plant seeds (Arctium plants) have clinging
properties as an excellent mechanism for seed
propagation. From this came the invention of Velcro.
A GOOD DESIGNER HAS TO BE KEEN OBSERVER.

Analogies in Design

Analogies in Design
Wind Turbines generating electricity need to be quiet as
people who live near demand quiet operation.
Owls are famously silent predators, able to surprise their
prey thanks to sound dampening wings.
Blade design can be analogues to the wings of owls.
Such analogies from nature are also termed as
biomimentics.

Thinking outside the box

We are all in a box. We are surrounded by things that
are well known to us. We see how people behave,
how they react, what they say, what they use, how
they use and so on.
Such a surrounding envelopes us.
WE ARE IN A BOX !
If you want to be different ( creative) then thinking
and doing differently is the only option.
So think outside the box.

Thinking outside the box

To be creative, step out of the box, change your
mindsets and attitudes, leave all your experiences behind
and start to look at things from different perspectives.
Think of crazy ideas that are non workable at the first
thought.
Bring in negative approaches to at the situation.

Thinking outside the box

Be uninhibited and unbiased and open for
suggestions.
Go against the tide- question the popular
approaches.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
Why not it be Every silver lining has a cloud
behind it.

Quality Function Deployment [QFD]

Engineers and scientists are comfortable with units and quantities
for all specifications.
But the consumers of their products are ordinary individuals who
can express their needs only in simple terms.
I need a silent air conditioner that is good
This is the specification for the product by the user.
Now how to convert this into engineering specifications that are
quantified.

Quality Function Deployment

[QFD]

Evaluation and choosing a design

Design Evaluation:

Evaluation and choosing a design

Design Strengths:
What are the ideas advantages?
What can the idea be successful in?
What are the current existing idea resources?
How others may see the strength of the idea?

Evaluation and choosing a design

Design Weaknesses:
How can the idea can be improved?
What does the idea lack in term of experience,
team and resources?
What can prevent the idea from success?
How do others see the idea in terms of
weaknesses?

Evaluation and choosing a design

Design Opportunities:
What opportunities does the idea have in the
market?
How the company can help the idea to succeed?

Evaluation and choosing a design

Design Threats:
What are the obstacles that face the idea?
Do the idea weakness represent any threat to its success?
What are the financial needs that may face the idea?
It is also possible to quantify these to compare designs
Always remember that no design is final.
Designs are always evolving.

Communication in Design
Design is a cognitive process.
However it needs inputs and outputs that are oral, written or
sketched out.
For this communication skills are to be honed in all the three.
While the oral and the written segments give critical inputs
to design, drawings are the medium for design outputs.
What cannot be expressed orally or in writing can be well
communicated through drawings.

Communication in Design
Hence the significance of sketching and drawing in
design.
Design emerges through sketches which in turn
changes to free hand drawings and later to
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CAD).
CAD system with freeform software can do clay
modeling.
Designs need additional details for its realization or
manufacturing.

Communication in Design
CAD systems available are capable of providing
all these to the designer.
Visualization of the design through solid modeling
is providing a new angle to design.
This was not possible earlier and today this is
often the starting point of a conceived design.

Communication in Design
Though the Solid model gives a better comprehension of
the object than 2D views, 2D drawings are essential to
provide details on the design as well as for the part
manufacture.
In certain domains of design, instead of sketches pictorial
representations could be used.
Examples: Circuit diagrams; Flow charts; Block diagrams.

Communication in Design
So seeing is believing!
Was die Augen sehen, glaubt das Herz;
Die Ohren glaubt was anderan sagt
(Eyes believe what they see, the ears believe what others
say)

Communication in Design
Communications of all types play a major role in
engineering design.
User manual, Safety standards, Assembly and packaging
instructions, and of course in marketing.
Communications could change the mind set of people.
Instead of stating that i Phone is Made by Apple it is
written as Designed by Apple.
At different stages of design, designers have to convince
other team members about their ideas clearly- both orally
and in writing.

Concept to Configuration
The strength of a designer lies in the ability to
transform the design concept to a workable
configuration.
The complexity of the product poses major challenges.
The only consolation is that all designs are evolving
and one can have a reference of an older version for a
new one.

Concept to Configuration
This is the reason why new designs are only staring
points. *
Module1- Changing design with Experience.pptx
Complex designs needs sub system designs.
Designs are configured out of such subsystem.
Discuss an example for this- A bicycle.

Sketching, Drawing, Modeling

A good designer initially starts off with sketches. With
experience on can directly do this 3D CAD.
Sketching give the designer ample of opportunity to
transform the design concept as a visible soft design.
Many CAD systems now allow this to be done directly.

Sketching, Drawing, Modeling

While the soft designs can be visualized in 3D as well
at different view angles, there is still the need for a
physical model as the perception on the screen is not
real enough.
Now virtual reality (VR) do assist us to a certain extend.
(designing the work space)
Full scale physical models are attempted in certain
products to realistically evaluate the design for its finer
aspects like colour, shape, finish etc.

Complex is Simple

The web's most popular application

has the simplest design. (Interface
Design)
Google is the web's most complex
application.

When the iPhone was introduced it

was both the world's simplest smart
phone and its most technologically
complex.
The face of an iPhone really has
153,601 "buttons". Only one of
them can be pressed reliably: the
one that isn't on the screen.

Complex is Simple
Many engineering designs are complex in nature.
They have large number of sub assemblies and in turn a
very large number of parts.
Final product realization is through assembly.
Assembly is still manual. Manual assemblies take time
and cost escalation.
Designs should reduce the number of assemblies to
reduce the time.
Here comes the concept of Complex is Simple *
Module1- Simple is Complex.pptx

 For a product of your choice sketch

out its design for function