7.5.1

Design Communication

Test yourself

Design Communication: Drawings

You need to be able to produce a range of design ideas and solutions for your NEA/coursework. You will need to develop your design ideas through sketching, CAD, modelling, testing and feedback.

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Freehand sketching

  • Freehand sketching and quick ideas is a brilliant way to record your thoughts and ideas on paper.
    • These can later be refined and presented.
  • Do not be worried about rough or scruffy sketches in your work as these are a great starting point.
  • Annotation (notes) are key to make sure your idea and sketch are fully explained.
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3D sketching

  • 3D sketching brings your ideas to life.
  • Use isometric or perspective drawing to help with the layout of your work.
  • These drawings and ideas should be better presented than the freehand sketching and more detail, colour and time should be added and taken with these drawings.
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Exploded drawing

  • This can be done by hand or on a computer.
  • This style is to show the different parts of the product so the product is exploded.
  • It is used a lot for furniture design especially instruction booklets like IKEA.
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Annotation

  • Adding notes explains your thoughts.
  • Use these key points to help structure your notes:
    • What do you like or dislike about the design?
    • How does the design link to your brief/ client needs?
    • What material will it be made from?
    • What processes are required to make it?
    • Will it be easy or difficult to make?
    • Where did the inspiration come from?
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Working drawings

  • Working drawings such as orthographic allow you to look at a plan view of a product.
  • The drawings are technical and show the sizes of the product in a set format.
  • All parts should line up across the three views of plan(top), side and front view.
  • These drawings need to be drawn in scale e.g. 1:2 so the object is half the size of the actual product.
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Schematic drawings

  • Schematic drawings are used for circuit boards and show the layout of the components and which components are being used throughout the circuit.

Design Communication: Modelling

You need to be able to produce a range of design ideas and solutions for your NEA/coursework. You will need to develop your design ideas through sketching, CAD, modelling, testing and feedback.

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CAD models

  • CAD (Computer Aid Design) models allow you to develop an idea and make very quick changes to it on the computer.
  • There are lots of different types of CAD software from 2D packages to 3D packages and many of them free to students studying Design Technology.
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CAD models cont.

  • CAD is any design drawn on a computer rather than by hand.
  • This makes it quicker to edit, can provide you with working drawings automatically and the design can be sent to CAM, (computer aided manufacture) machines such as a laser cutter or 3D printer.
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Modelling

  • Use plasticine, card, styrofoam (blue foam), timber and plastic to make your models.
  • Start off simple and then get more detailed with the models you make.
  • You do not always have to model all of your design just test out the different parts to see if they work.
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Modelling cont.

  • Think about the following:
    • Is it the right size?
    • Is it the right shape?
    • Is it aesthetically pleasing (colour, shape design)?
    • What are the options?
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Other modelling techniques

  • Card modelling works as parts can be joined together using masking tape and a hot glue gun.
  • Toiles are used in the fashion industry to test out a design using cheaper material. You can check the pattern and the style before using the more expensive material.
  • For electronics, test your circuit out using breadboards. No soldering is involved and it is an easier way to change the circuit. It is a quicker way to test out the circuit design.
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Mathematical modelling

  • Mathematical modelling is a way of simulation on a PC real life situations using a maths formula.
  • It can be used to demonstrate how a system will work or change if options are modified in the settings.
  • It is used a lot when designing cars to see how streamline the car is and how much drag is created by the shape of the car.

Design Communication: Other Techniques

You need to be able to produce a range of design ideas and solutions for your NEA/coursework. You will need to develop your design ideas through sketching, CAD, modelling, testing and feedback.

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Audio and visual recordings

  • Audio and visual recordings allow you to capture either your client's thoughts and feedback or your target market's reactions and suggestions.
  • Ensure you have people's permission to do this.
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Analysing recordings

  • You can upload the video/recordings and use them to write up their comments if you have recorded the interview.
  • Most importantly you can analyse and evaluate what people said and how they reacted.
  • Most mobiles will allow you to record without the need to buy expensive equipment.
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Testing

  • Testing - you need to ensure that the models you make you test out, from reviewing the shape and size of the models through to the colour and the style.
  • Get feedback from your client and target market about your design ideas.

Jump to other topics

1Core Technical Principles

1.1New & Emerging Technologies

1.1.1Industry

1.1.2Enterprise

1.1.3Sustainability

1.1.4People

1.1.5Culture & Society

1.1.6Environment

1.1.7Production Techniques & Systems

1.1.8Emerging Technologies & Design

1.1.9End of Topic Test - New & Emerging Technologies

1.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Emerging Technologies

1.2Energy Generation & Storage

1.2.1Fossil Fuels & Nuclear

1.2.2Renewable Energy

1.2.3Energy Storage Systems

1.3Developments in New Materials

1.3.1Modern Materials

1.3.2Smart Materials

1.3.3Exam-Style Questions - Smart Materials

1.3.4Composite Materials

1.3.5Technical Textiles

1.4Systems Approach to Designing

1.4.1Inputs

1.4.2Processes

1.4.3Outputs

1.4.4Looped Systems

1.5Mechanical Devices

1.5.1Types of Movement

1.5.2Levers

1.5.3Linkages

1.5.4Rotary Systems

1.5.5End of Topic Test - Designing & Mechanical Devices

1.6Materials Categories

1.6.1Timbers

1.6.2Metals & Alloys

1.6.3Metals & Alloys 2

1.6.4Polymers

1.6.5Polymer Types

1.6.6Textiles

1.6.7Textile Types: Fibres

1.6.8Textile Types: Weave

1.6.9Paper & Boards

1.7Material Properties

1.7.1Physical & Working Properties

1.7.2End of Topic Test - Materials

1.7.3Exam-Style Questions - Materials

2Paper & Board: Specialist Technical Principles

2.1Selection of Materials

2.1.1Paper & Boards

2.1.2Working with Paper & Boards

2.2Paper & Board: Forces & Stresses

2.2.1Paper & Board: Forces & Stresses

2.2.2Cardboard & Paper

2.3Paper & Board: Ecological & Social Footprint

2.3.1Paper & Board: Ecological & Social Footprint

2.3.2Paper & Board: The Six Rs

2.3.3Social Issues

2.4Paper & Board: Sources & Origins

2.4.1Paper & Board

2.4.2End of Topic Test - Paper & Board

2.5Paper & Board: Using Materials

2.5.1Paper & Board: Properties of Materials

2.5.2Paper & Board: Modification of Materials

2.5.3Paper & Board: Shape & Form

2.6Paper & Board: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes

2.6.1Paper & Board: Forms

2.6.2Paper & Board: Types

2.6.3Paper & Board: Sizes

2.6.4Paper & Board: Standards Components

2.7Paper & Board: Scales of Production

2.7.1Paper & Board: Scales of Production

2.7.2Exam-Style Questions - Scales of Production

2.8Paper & Board: Specialist Techniques & Processes

2.8.1Paper & Board: Techniques & Processes

2.8.2Paper & Board: Quality Control

2.9Paper & Board: Surface Treatments & Finishes

2.9.1Paper & Board: Surface Treatments & Finishes

2.9.2End of Topic Test - Specialist Techniques

3Timber: Specialist Technical Principles

3.1Timber: Selection of Materials

3.1.1Timber Based Materials

3.1.2Timber: Environment & Ethics

3.2Timber: Forces & Stresses

3.2.1Timber: Forces & Stresses

3.2.2Timber

3.3Timber: Ecological & Social Footprint

3.3.1Timber: Ecological & Social Footprint

3.3.2Timber: The Six Rs

3.3.3Timber: Social Issues

3.3.4Exam-Style Questions - Timber

3.4Timber: Sources & Origins

3.4.1Timber

3.4.2Timber: Processing & Seasoning

3.4.3Manufactured Board

3.4.4End of Topic Test - Timber

3.5Timber: Using Materials

3.5.1Timber: Properties of Materials

3.5.2Timber: Modification of Materials

3.5.3Timber: Shape & Form

3.5.4Timber: Shape & Form 2

3.6Timber: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes

3.6.1Timber: Stock Forms, Types & Sizes

3.7Timber: Scales of Production

3.7.1Timber: Scales of Production

3.8Timber: Specialist Techniques & Processes

3.8.1Timber: Tools, Equipment & Processes

3.8.2Timber: Tools, Equipment & Processes 2

3.8.3Timber: Quality Control

3.9Timber: Surface Treatments & Finishes

3.9.1Timber: Surface Treatments

3.9.2Timber: Finishes

3.9.3End of Topic Test - Specialist Techniques

4Metal: Specialist Technical Principles

4.1Metals: Selection of Materials

4.1.1Metal-Based Materials

4.1.2Ferrous Metals

4.1.3Non-Ferrous Metals

4.1.4Alloys

4.1.5Metals: Environment & Ethics

4.2Metals: Forces & Stresses

4.2.1Metals: Forces & Stresses

4.3Metals: Ecological & Social Footprint

4.3.1Metals: Ecological Footprint

4.3.2Metals: Social Footprint

4.3.3Metals: The Six R's

4.3.4Metals: Social Issues

4.4Metals: Sources & Origins

4.4.1Origins of Metal

4.4.2Processing Metals

4.5Metals: Alloy-Based Materials

4.5.1Types of Metal Alloys

4.5.2Alloying Elements

4.5.3Properties & Benefits

4.5.4Processing & Fabrication

4.5.5Applications of Alloys

4.5.6Metal Alloys in Industry

4.5.7Applications of Metal Alloys

4.6Metals: Using Materials

4.6.1Properties of Metals

4.6.2Modification of Metals

4.6.3Metals: Shape & Form

4.7Metals: Scales of Production

4.7.1Metals: Scales of Production

4.8Metals: Specialist Techniques & Processes

4.8.1Metals: Tools

4.8.2Metals: Tools & Equipment

4.8.3Metals: Cutting, Forming & Machining Processes

4.8.4Metals: Joining, Casting & Heat Treatment Process

4.9Metals: Quality Control

4.9.1Metals: Quality Control

4.9.2Metals: Quality Control Processes

4.10Metals: Surface Treatments & Finishes

4.10.1Metals: Surface Treatments

4.10.2Metals: Surface Treatments for Metals

4.10.3Metals: Finishes

4.10.4Metals: Finishing Techniques for Metals

5Polymers: Specialist Technical Principles

5.1Polymers

5.1.1Polymers: Functionality & Aesthetics

5.1.2Polymers: Environment & Ethics

5.1.3Polymers: Sources, Origins & Properties

5.1.4Polymers: Forces & Stresses

5.1.5Polymers: Ecological & Social Footprint

5.1.6Polymers: The Six R's

5.2Polymer Categories

5.2.1Categories of Polymers

5.2.2Thermoforming Polymers

5.2.3Thermosetting Polymers

5.3Polymer Forms

5.3.1Polymers: Stock Forms

5.3.2Polymers: Shape & Form

5.4Polymer Production, Techniques & Quality Control

5.4.1Polymers: Scales of Production

5.4.2Polymers: Specialist Techniques & Processes

5.4.3Polymers: Quality Control Systems: Tolerance

5.4.4Polymers: Finishes

6Textiles: Specialist Technical Principles

6.1Textile Materials

6.1.1Origin of Textiles

6.1.2Textile Industry

6.2Selection of Materials

6.2.1Natural Fibres

6.2.2Synthetic Fibres

6.2.3Environmental Concerns

6.2.4Environmental Impact

6.2.5Ethical Challenges

6.3Forces & Stresses

6.3.1Forces & Stresses

6.4Ecological & Social Footprint

6.4.1Ecological Footprint

6.4.2Social Footprint

6.4.3Addressing Ecological & Social Footprints

6.4.4The Six R's

6.4.5Labour Conditions

6.4.6Social Issues

6.4.7Addressing Social Issues

7Designing & Making Principles

7.1Investigation & Data

7.1.1Iterative Design

7.1.2Primary & Secondary Data

7.1.3Market Research

7.1.4Ergonomics

7.1.5Specifications

7.1.6End of Topic Test - Investigation & Data

7.1.7Exam-Style Questions - Specifications

7.2Environmental, Social & Economic Challenges

7.2.1Challenges

7.2.2Your Research

7.3The Work of Others

7.3.1Designers

7.3.2Architects

7.3.3Product Design

7.3.4Industrial Designers

7.3.5Product Design Companies

7.3.6Textile Design Companies

7.3.7End of Topic Test - The Work of Others

7.4Design Strategies

7.4.1Design Strategies

7.5Communication of Design Ideas

7.5.1Design Communication

7.6Prototype Development

7.6.1Prototype Development

7.7Selection of Materials

7.7.1Materials

7.8Tolerances

7.8.1Tolerances

7.9Material Management

7.9.1Managing Material

7.9.2Tools

7.10Specialist Equipment

7.10.1Health & Safety

7.11Specialist Techniques & Processes

7.11.1Specialist Techniques & Processes

7.11.2Surface Finishes

7.11.3End of Topic Test - Designing & Making

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Design Strategies

Prototype Development