Designers at Work

Program Support Notes by: Antony Benson Diploma of Education (Secondary); Bachelor of Design, Industrial Design (honors) Produced by: VEA Pty Ltd Commissioning Editor: Brigid Brignell BA, BSc, Grad Cert Multimedia Executive Producers: Edwina Baden-Powell B.A, CVP. Sandra Frerichs B.Ed, M.Ed.

© VEA Group Pty Ltd 2012 Reproducing these support notes You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

Designers at Work

Designers at Work

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© VEA Group Pty Ltd 2012 Reproducing these support notes

You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website or ClickView for your reference. Further copying or printing must be reported to CAL as per the Copyright Act 1968.

For Teachers

Introduction This program explores the process that designers use to develop successful products. The product development process and applying the product design factors are explained, as well as the importance of the role between the designer, client and end users. The program looks at case studies of designers at work in various industries including; David Pritchard, Industrial Designer Invetech; Ron Billard, Director Billard Leece Partnership; Lucy Allnutt, Industrial Designer, Eastern Commercial Furniture; Simon Lockery and Steven Clune, research officers RMIT University - Centre for design; Jeremy Spencer – Director, Positive Footprints; Gretha Oost, Managing Director, Half a Teaspoon; Hamish Lyon, Design Director, NH Architecture; Akira Isogawa, Fashion Designer. Through the case studies students will gain an understanding of how designers work across a variety of industries. Students will gain an insight into: how designers work, the application of the design process, how the product design factors influence the final product and where designers get their inspiration from.

Timeline 00:00:00 Overview - The design industry 00:05:39 How do designers work? 00:11:28 Working with clients/users 00:15:14 Creative problem solving 00:20:29 Credits 00:21:18 End Program

Related Titles What Inspires Design? Control Systems in Design Technology Managing a Design Project Designer Case Studies – Architecture, Crafts and Industrial Design Designing Fashion Factors of design Series

Recommended Resources

• http://www.datta.vic.edu.au/

• http://www.swinburne.edu.au/design/tutorials/

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8

• http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/R/realdesign/index_flash.html

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Student Worksheet

Initiate Prior Learning 1. List some everyday products that you use, these might be the building you are in, the clothes you

are wearing, the desk you are sitting at or any other object. _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

a) How did these objects come into being? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

b) What types of jobs or roles were required to create these objects? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 2. List as many different design jobs that you know of? What does each of these designers do or

specialise in? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

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3. What roles / jobs do you think a designer does in the development of a product? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 4. What are the clients and/or end user’s role in the development of a product? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What factors and/or elements can influence the design process? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 6. What factors do you consider important in a product and why? Consider things like Cost, looks

/aesthetics, function, usability, brand. _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

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Active Viewing Guide Overview – The design industry 1. David Pritchard believes that sensitivity is an important factor for designers.

a) Why do you think that sensitivity is important? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

b) What things do you think designers need to be sensitive about? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Ron Billard uses the Four L’s in the design process. List what they are then briefly describe how

each one is used in the design process? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What are two design factors that have a significant impact on the success of a product? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 4. The “Velib” Bikes have been custom designed with a “positive sustainability society” in mind. Circle

which statement is most true about the “Velib” Bike scheme.

a) To transport people

b) To reduce the number of cars in Paris

c) Increase sales of bicycles

d) To look visually appealing

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How do designers work? 5. Circle the correct answer

The steps in which a designer carries out their work is known as the:

a) Design Process

b) Project management

c) Production process

d) Manufacture 6. What are the four major steps in the design process? Briefly describe what happens in each of

these steps. _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 7. With reference to some of the products discussed in this program so far, why are each of the

following important for the end users?

a) Needs and Wants _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

b) Aesthetics _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

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c) Function

_________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

d) Material Characteristics _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

e) Tactile _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 8. Sustainability and environmental concerns are design factors used in industry. How does this

impact on product design? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 9. Circle the correct answer

Legal responsibilities are important design factors because they:

a) Look after the safety of people

b) Increase profit

c) Prevent people getting sued

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Working with clients and Users 10. How do David Pritchard and his design team agree on a definition of ‘modern’ with their clients?

Why is this process important? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 11. Circle True or False to the following statement:

A local manufacturer will be more cost effective in the long term

True or False Creative problem solving 12. Circle True or False to the following statement:

Designers work independently or by themselves to create their products.

True or False 13. Why is it important for designers to collaborate and work in teams? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 14. Circle which statement is true

a) Innovation is evolutionary

b) Innovation is revolutionary

c) Innovation is both evolutionary and revolutionary

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15. Circle which is true

What do people remember most about products they use?

a) Good experiences

b) Bad Experiences. 16. Why does David Pritchard get users to explain ‘a pain about using this’ in the evaluation of a

product? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

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Extension Activities 1. In a small group define the roles and responsibilities of the following people in the development of

a product.

a) Designer _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

b) Client _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

c) End user _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Sustainability and environmental factors are a significant influence on the design process.

Research ways that designers and manufactures can increase the sustainability of their products. For three examples, explain in more detail how these would increase the sustainability of the product.

3. You have been given a challenge to design a backpack / bag. List all of the design factors that

would influence the design of this product. How would each of the design factors affect the final design?

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4. Using the list of product design factors below analyse an existing product such as a chair, bag,

pen, etc. Explain how each of the product design factors could be changed to improve the performance or function of the product.

• Human Needs/wants

• Purpose

• Function

• Context

• Size

• Shape

• Visual

• Aesthetic

• Tactile / feel

• emotional connection

• Sustainability/environment

• Economics

• Time

• Cost

• Legal Responsibility

• Intellectual Property

• Materials- characteristics and properties

• Available technologies tools

• Manufacturing methods

• Sales and distribution channels 5. In a small group list all of the products that you see around you. What types of designers were

employed in the design and manufacture of these products? Who do you think the client was for these products?

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Suggested Student Responses

Initiate Prior Learning 1. List some everyday products that you use, these might be the building you are in, the clothes you

are wearing, the desk you are sitting at or any other object. Answers will vary

a) How did these objects come into being?

Answers will vary but may include, trades people, factory workers, sales people, engineers

b) What types of jobs or roles were required to create these objects?

Answers will vary but may include, designers, builders, factories, engineers 2. List as many different design jobs that you know of? What does each of these designers do or

specialise in? Answers will vary but may include, product design, industrial design, car design, engineer, fashion design, architect, interior design, graphic design,

3. What roles / jobs do you think a designer does in the development of a product?

Answers will vary but may include communication, negotiation, defining, research, ideas, drawings / visualization, Computer modelling, working drawings, testing, trailing, building, prototypes, evaluation

4. What are the clients and/or end user’s role in the development of a product?

To communicate their ideas to the designer, define their needs, wants and/or requirements, provide feedback, evaluate the product / concept.

5. What factors and/or elements can influence the design process?

Human needs wants, purpose, function, context, size, shape, Visual, Aesthetic, Tactile / feel, emotional connection, sustainability, environment, economic, time, cost, legal responsibility, intellectual property, materials- characteristics and properties, available technologies tools, manufacturing methods, distribution, sales.

6. What factors do you consider important in a product and why? Consider things like cost, looks

/aesthetics, function, usability, brand. Answers will vary

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Active Viewing Guide Overview – The design industry 1. David Pritchard believes that sensitivity is an important factor for designers.

a) Why do you think that sensitivity is important? Sensitivity allows the designer to understand the needs and wants of a product, how it will influence the lives and environment in which it is placed / used

b) What things do you think that designers need to be sensitive about?

A sensitive product will cater for human needs and wants, functionally, emotional attachment, aesthetics/ style, cost, environmental and sustainable

2. Ron Billard uses the Four L’s in the design process. List what they are then briefly describe how

each one is used in the design process? Look - look at what has happened / needed Listen – to clients and end user requirement s Learn from - previous examples, ideas or failures Lead back – promote new ideas based on the observations

3. What are two design factors that have a significant impact on the success of a product?

Form / Aesthetics - the way a product looks - feels Function – the way a product works

4. The “Velib” Bikes have been custom designed with a “positive sustainability society” in mind. Circle

which statement is most true about the “Velib” Bike scheme.

a) To transport people

b) To reduce the number of cars in Paris

c) Increase sales of bicycles

d) To look visually appealing How do designers work? 5. Circle the correct answer

The steps in which a designer carries out their work is known as the:

a) Design Process

b) Project management

c) Production process

d) Manufacture

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6. What are the four major steps in the design process? Briefly describe what happens in each of

these steps.

• Investigating and Defining � Design brief, sets the direction of the project, research into possibilities /

technologies

• Design and Development � Develop concepts or possibilities, refine these against the “key success factors”

• Planning and Production � Refine concept into a viable solution with all elements specified, CAD 3D modelling.

Fully functioning model.

• Product Delivery and Evaluation � Delivery of product to client, evaluate how it works.

7. With reference to some of the products discussed in this program so far, why are each of the

following important for the end users?

a) Needs and Wants Convenience, taste, easy to carry (water bottle)

b) Aesthetics

Beautifully designed bottle (water bottle)

c) Function Easy to clean, disassemble, put in a dishwasher (water bottle)

d) Material Characteristics

Easy to clean, increase longevity, not selected for its plush characteristics (furniture fabric)

e) Tactile

Touch and feel is very important depending on type of product (high-end, personal products)

8. Sustainability and environmental concerns are design factors used in industry. How does this

impact on product design? Reduce carbon footprint, clients request greener products. Choice of materials and their impact on the environment.

9. Circle the correct answer

Legal responsibilities are important design factors because they:

a) Look after the safety of people

b) Increase profit

c) Stop people getting sued

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Working with clients and Users 10. How do David Pritchard and his design team agree on a definition of ‘modern’ with their clients?

Why is this process important? Raft of images, mood board, theme boards so that everyone agrees what the definition of modern is

11. Circle True or False to the following statement:

A local manufacturer will be more cost effective in the long term

True or False Creative problem solving 12. Circle True or False to the following statement:

Designers work independently or by themselves to create their products.

True or False 13. Why is it important for designers to collaborate and work in teams?

There is too much work for any one person to do in the development of a product. Ideas and innovation come from sharing knowledge

14. Circle which statement is true

a) Innovation is evolutionary

b) Innovation is revolutionary

c) Innovation is both evolutionary and revolutionary 15. Circle which is true

What do people remember most about products they use?

a) Good experiences

b) Bad Experiences. 16. Why does David Pritchard get users to explain ‘a pain about using this’ in the evaluation of a

product? To help better develop a product that leaves end users with a positive connection, to create a product that is exactly what they wanted.

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Extension Activities 1. In a small group define the roles and responsibilities of the following people in the development of

a product.

a) Designer Communication, negotiation, defining, research, ideas, drawings / visualization, computer modelling, working drawings, testing, trailing, building, prototypes, evaluation

b) Client

Communicate their ideas to the designer, define their needs wants and or requirements including time, cost manufacturing limits, provide feedback, evaluate the product / concept.

c) End user

Define their needs wants and or requirements, provide feedback, and evaluate the product / concept.

2. Sustainability and environmental factors are a significant influence on the design process.

Research ways that designers and manufactures can increase the sustainability of their products. For three examples, explain in more detail how these would increase the sustainability of the product.

• Materials choice, distribution, recycling etc.

• Sourcing suitable materials - Not from a limited resource, which will also keep the cost down

• Impacts of the material on things like biodiversity, recyclability etc

• Scarcity of supply and/or economic factors

• Design for disassembly – easy to take apart for recycling

• Extended producer responsibility – make the manufacturer responsible for disposal

• Cradle to Cradle design - design to reuse raw materials again in another product

• Life Cycle analysis Impacts during product sourcing, manufacture, distribution, use, end of life

• Health and wellbeing of manufacturers / workers.

• Design for environment – selection of environmentally friendly materials and production processes.

3. You have been given a challenge to design a backpack / bag. List all of the design factors that

would influence the design of this product. How would each of the design factors affect the final design? Answers will vary but may include: Human Needs/wants, purpose, function, context, size, shape, visual, aesthetic, tactile / feel, emotional connection, sustainability, environment, economics, etc. For example, the size of the bag will be influenced by its purpose. If it needs to carry a laptop for example, it will need to be big enough to fit standard size laptops; if it is an evening bag, it will be much smaller.

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4. Using the list of product design factors below, analyse an existing product such as a chair, bag,

pen, etc. Explain how each of the product design factors could be changed to improve the performance or function of the product. Answers will vary

• Human Needs/wants

• Purpose

• Function

• Context

• Size

• Shape

• Visual

• Aesthetic

• Tactile / feel

• Emotional connection

• Sustainability/environment

• Economics

• Time

• Cost

• Legal Responsibility

• Intellectual Property

• Materials- characteristics and properties

• Available technologies tools

• Manufacturing methods

• Sales and distribution channels 5. In a small group list all of the products that you see around you. What types of designers were

employed in the design and manufacture of these products? Who do you think the client was for these products? Answers will vary

Designers at Work

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