FROM 4: DESIGN PROJECT
DESIGN PROJECT
By the end of this sub-topic, learners should be able to:
1. Apply knowledge of the design process to solve a given situation.
2. Construct models.
Introduction
Design is a process of coming up with something that never existed before. It is the
intentional planning or invention and making of an article for a particular use. Design refers
to the article itself as well as the planning of its construction, operation and appearance. A
design is not a copy of the work of another, it is original.
Design Process
Situation- the initial consideration of the project, the situation in which the problem to
be solved exists.
Design brief-what is to be designed and made to be clearly stated.
Investigation- to discover and examine the facts about the problem. Involves
research and generation of ideas. The investigation must be made against factors
such as;
o The function of the artefact, the size, how heavy or stable, will it need handle
or cover? (Function)
o The user of the artefact, adults or children, the average height of the user.
(ergonomics)
o The appropriate and available material to be used for the construction, is it to
be made from wood, metal, plastic or some other material? (Material)
o The appropriate constructional methods likely to be used taking into account
the available facilities. (Construction)
o The appearance of the finished product for example, is it to be painted,
polished or plated?
o The cost of construction, how will it the affect the selling price? Will it be cheap
to meet the average pocket? (Economics)
o The total time to be spent on the work, the more time it takes, the higher the
cost of labour.
Possible solutions- various ideas conceived in the mind as possible solutions of the
problem are presented graphically in three dimensional sketches. It is important at
this stage to generate more than one solution. Each must be an alternative solution to
the problem. A critical examination is made of each of the alternative solutions with
regards to the specifications and objectives.
Chosen solution- The one emerging as the simplest but the best to meet the stated
requirements of the problem is then chosen for further development.
Justification of choice- sometimes it is necessary to make models and mock ups to
assist in the selection of the best solution.
Development of chosen solution- further considerations is then given to the
selected solution which is developed into a final design.
The development includes making value judgement on the shapes and sizes of the
components, the appropriate materials to be used in constructing the parts, the
appropriate methods of joining parts together, the available facilities to be used for
construction and the expertise required for making the whole product. With these
factors in mind, appropriate modifications are made to the various parts of the chosen
solution.
Note: A full set of working drawings (assembly diagrams, exploded diagrams and detailed
drawings) including all the modifications made and presented as a final design of the
solution to the problem.
Mock-up - not to scale but proportional rough model of an artefact.
Model production- a model is a small representation of the artefact. The solution
emerging as the final design must be constructed as the prototype using the
materials and constructional/specified methods specified on the working drawings of
the design.
Evaluation of the model-the model should be tested and evaluated for planning and
organising resources. It is helpful if the manufacturing activities are planned carefully
ahead of time. This will ensure early completion and avoid unnecessary delays.
Realisation –involves the actual making of the artefact referring to the operational
sequence and as far as possible go by it. From careful and accurate plans, the final
design should not be very difficult to fashion.
Evaluation- the artefact which has been made should be tested and evaluated to
ascertain whether or not it is able to function satisfactorily as stated in the design
brief. The designer should be encouraged to be fair in criticising his/her own work. A
written report has to be prepared on the outcome of the testing and evaluation. It
must include proposals for modification or improvement.
Evaluation of the model-The model should be tested and evaluated for planning
and organising resources. It is helpful if the manufacturing activities are planned
carefully ahead of time. This will ensure early completion and avoid unnecessary
delays.
Development of chosen solution
Further considerations is then given to the selected solution which is developed into a
final design.
The development includes making value judgement on the shapes and sizes of the
components, the appropriate materials to be used in constructing the parts, the
appropriate methods of joining parts together, the available facilities to be used for
construction and the expertise required for making the whole product.
With these factors in mind, appropriate modifications are made to the various parts of
the chosen solution.
Working drawings
A full set of working drawings (assembly diagrams, exploded diagrams and detailed
drawings) including all the modifications made and presented as a final design of the
solution to the problem.
Orthographic projection
A means of representing three dimensional objects in two dimensions.
It is a view of a single view of an object (such as the front) onto a drawing surface in
which the lines of projection are perpendicular to the drawing surface.
For example, an oblique projection (three dimensional object) on Fig 6.1.1 can be
presented in an orthographic projection as shown on Fig 6.1.2.
Fig 6.1.1 Oblique projection
Fig 6.1.2 Orthographic projection
Activity
In groups of three: Follow all the design steps up to the model and evaluation to solve the
following problem:
Colonel Gopo, a retired general army has secured a stand in the medium density of new
town in Kwekwe. The stand measures 45m X 35m. Colonel Gopo is married and has four
children, 2 boys and 2 girls. Design a suitable structure to accommodate Colonel Gopo’s
family comfortably.
Example
Situation: A land owner needs a Servant`s quarter with the specifications below:
2 bedrooms
Ablution facilities
Kitchenette
Double lock-up garage
Design brief:
I am going to design, draw and model a Servant`s quarter with bedrooms, kitchen, ablution
facility and a double lock-up garage.
The figures below will be a developed chosen solution for the servant`s quarter.
Fig 6.1.3 The floor plan of the developed solution of the design brief
Fig 6.1.4 Pictorial view of the entire developed solution of the situation
STAGES ON PRODUCING A MOCK-UP
Mock-up is produced “Not to scale”
STAGE 1
Material used: card board manila.
Fig 6.1.5 Stage 1
Mark the divisions on the flat card board manila.
Shade the unwanted portions.
Label the names of windows and doors.
STAGE 2
Fig 6.1.6 Stage 2
Cut off the shaded (unwanted) regions.
STAGE 3
Fig 6.1.7 Stage 3
Fold up the faces
STAGE 4
Fig 6.1.7 Stage 4
Apply paper glue on the edges and join the faces.
Add the partitioning pieces inside.
STAGE 5
Fig 6.1.8 Stage 5
Mark the ramp edges and faces on the flat card board manila.
Shade the unwanted portions.
STAGE 6
Fig 6.1.9 Stage 6
Cut off the unwanted portions
STAGE 7
Fig 6.1.10 Stage 7
Fold up faces
STAGE 8
Fig 6.1.11 Stage 8
Apply paper glue on the edges and join the faces to complete the ramp.
STAGE 9
Fig 6.1.12 Stage 9
Mark the roof structure on the card board manila.
Outline the major roof to be extracted.
Hatch the unwanted portions.
STAGE 10
Fig 6.1.13 Stage 10
Cut off the unwanted portions.
STAGE 11
Fig 6.1.14 Stage 11
Fold the roof card to shape.
STAGE 12
Fig 6.1.15 Stage 12
Mark the gable triangle on the card board
Shade unwanted portions
STAGE 13
Fig 6.1.16 Stage 13
Cut off unwanted portions to extract the “gable guide triangle”.
STAGE 14
Fig 6.1.17 Stage 14
Apply paper glue on the edges of the “gable support triangle” and fix to the folded
roof card.
STAGE 15
Fig 6.1.18 Stage 15
Apply glue on ramp and block to fix them.
Place roof on top of the block (do not apply glue between them).
The roof must be removable.
STAGE 16
Fig 6.1.18 Stage 16
Design windows and doors as well as applying finishers.
Examples of finishers that can be used are
o Water paint
o Oil pant
o Permanent markers
Summary
Materials used when modelling in building mini - artefacts
Card board manila (2mm to 0.5mm thick)
Wood glue or paper glue
Used card board boxes
Grass
Clay
Wood
Plastic
Steps followed when modelling
Marking out and measuring
Shading unwanted portions
Cutting off unwanted portions
Folding and assembling
Applying finishes
