Learning Resources
Design Overview
Design is a term used to describe a method of creating technological solutions to problems. Design is used for many different purposes and by many different people. It is used by architects, engineers, landscape designers, packaging designers, graphic artists, and artists. Design is even used by ordinary people when they develop solutions to every day problems, such as building a backyard shed or reorganizing the closet.
It should be clear from the wide variety of applications of design that there is probably a variety of procedures available to people who are designing solutions. Even with the variation, they all have common features. The most general description can be summed up in the diagram below. The circle indicates this is a process that repeats.
Figure Technological Problem-solving Model
Human Needs and Wants. The process starts with recognition of a need (for food, clothing, shelter, ..) or a want (a particular type of clothes, or entertainment, ...) and a decision to do something about it.
Identification and Evaluation of Options. To meet the need or want, a number of options (or ways to meet the need) are identified and considered. After evaluation, one option is selected as the best way to meet the need or want.
Use of Resources ... Selecting the option usually requires that resources (time, money, materials, knowledge, people, tools and machines) are used in order to acquire or create the solution.
Solutions and Outcomes. When the solution is achieved and the need or want is met, usually new problems (needs or wants) arrive. Also many solutions have outcomes in addition to those desired when the solution was created. Sometimes these are good, sometimes they are not. Sometimes they are expected, and sometimes they are not. For example, if your need is transportation to work, and your solution is to use your resources to buy a car, a known, desirable outcome is that you have a way to get to work. A known, undesirable outcome is that you have to spend money on gas, insurance, repairs and the car pollutes the air. An unknown, desirable outcome might be access to programs in the evening that you would not have been able to get to before. An unknown, undesirable outcome is the possibility of an accident.
A more detailed design model is shown below. This model is an approximation of the methods used by professional designers. The model is used in technology education courses. It gives students an easy to follow method for developing technological solutions.
Figure Design Model
Opportunities is used instead of the term 'needs and wants'. Opportunities describes a bigger range of starting points for engaging in design. It includes 'design as a part of entrepreneurial activity', 'design as a creative activity', and so on.
Design Brief is an approximation of the contract (also often called a brief) used by designers. In this course, the brief has several parts and is usually written by the student in consultation with the teacher. The student is considered the designer, and the teacher is the client.
Investigate and Research involves two different types of activities. Students investigate resources available to solve the problem. They also research the nature of the situation and how similar problems have been solved.
Identify Options is a means of determining all the possible ways to solve the problem. Variety of ideas is the important ingredient in this step. It is not necessary to have any knowledge of how to make the ideas work.
Select the best Option is an assessment of the ideas to determine which ones are useful, and which is the best way to proceed.
Develop Solution takes most of the time in design. This is where ideas become reality. All the details are worked out and the solution is created, made, fabricated, and made to work. It often involves trial and error, changes, and rethinking how to make it work.
Evaluate Redesign is a formal assessment and evaluation of the solution, compared to the design brief. The brief sets the requirements and this step determines if they were met. If yes, there is a workable solution, if no the process continues to refine the solution until it does.
Solutions and Outcomes is similar to the general model above.
The design model is the same regardless of the type of problem being solved or the technological resources or systems being used to solve it.
Design Activity Overview
During this design activity you will design and develop communications solutions to problems. In general, you will
- Develop and maintain a design portfolio
- Identify opportunities for the development of communications technology solutions to problems
- Conduct design studies to determine the most likely way to develop communications technology solutions
- Develop a working model or prototype of the communications solution
- Evaluate your solution and determine ways to improve and implement it
- Develop and deliver a report on the opportunity, the process used to arrive at a solutions, the solution, and your evaluation of the solution.
The process is summarized in the model below. This model is a refinement of the general design model to match it more closely to the practicalities of design at the high school level. The description below the model lists the steps you will use to design a solution in this activity.
Figure Design Stages for Communications Technology
Identify the Opportunity has two parts
- Part 1 Opportunities and Problem Situations
Part 2 Opportunity/Problem to be DevelopedConduct the Design Study has seven parts
Part 1 Clients and Contracts
Part 2 Write the Design Brief
Part 3 Conduct Investigation and Research
Part 4 Identify Solution Options
Part 5 Establish Assessment Criteria
Part 6 Apply the Criteria-Assess the Solution Options
Part 7 Specify the Solution to be DevelopedDevelop the Solution has four parts
Part 1 Development Plan
Part 2 Print Components
Part 3 Multimedia Components
Part 4 Web Site ComponentEvaluate the Solution has five parts
Part 1 Determine what to Evaluate
Part 2 Establish Assessment Criteria
Part 3 Apply the Criteria-Assess the Solution
Part 4 Interpret the Results-Evaluate the Solution
Part 5 Using the Results-Deciding what to DoReport the Results has two parts
Part 1 Build the Report
Part 2 Present the Report
The process culminates in a complete communications technology solution (product). Examples include
- a web site complete with visual and navigation components and content such as text, graphic, animation, video, audio
- a full media kit of information, video, brochures
Sample Design Situations
The design activity is a major project, spanning most of the school year. It is important to choose a design opportunity that will be interesting, challenging and at the same time can be done in the time frame and with the resources available. The suggestions below are starting points for identifying what you would like to work on.
- Communities, events, activities need promotions
- Major activities like trips and tours need to be documented
- Equipment and procedures need instructional materials
- Musical productions need to be put on video CD
- An idea, ideal, concept, or value needs to be expressed and promoted
- An organization, association, or individual wants to create a presence on the internet
Use these and other ideas as a starting point for Design Stage 1, Part 1 Opportunities and Problem Situations