Sec 1: Understanding Your Consumer + Assignment

Hi Sec 1s,
Take a look at the two image boards below.

(1) Which target group do you think the designer is targeting at?

(2) What is the lifestyle of this target group?

(3) What do this target group like to do?

(4) What are the characteristics of this target group?



















Assignments (26 Jul - 30 Jul):
(All to be done in the A4 exercise book)
1.
Create an image board so that you can better understand the likes, wants, preferances, interests, needs of your target user whom you will be designing the namecard holder for.

2.
Sketch the following objects using crating:







Deadline for both assignments: On the week of 2nd Aug - 6th Aug.

How to draw a perfect circle FREEHAND?

For my Sec 1: Example of Product Research on Mobile phones

Hi,

How a designer carried out product research on similar products is very crucial to making his/her new or improved product a success.

As a designer, you need to have an eye for details that pick up the strengths and weaknesses of a product. From there, you can work on the weaknesses and come up with an improved and better version.

Based on the four design considerations you learned earlier, we will use it for the product research looking into the strength and weakness of 1 mobile phone.

Functions: It is solar powered, waterproof cellphone, which means it can use sunlight for charging. It has a clock display function which makes it very convenient for busy people who have many appointments to meet.

Aesthetics: It is a flip phone with simple and slender design that comes in types of colour. The colours are not vibrant perhaps it is intended to convey the meaning of saving the environment. The solar panel at the centre adds to some dashes of contrast and uniqueness in the design.

Ergonomics: The design is slim such that it can fit into the palm size of user comfortably. It is also thin so that it can put in the pockets easily without creating unsightly protrude in the pants.

Materials: It is made of strong, durable plastic for the exterior so that it can withstand the handling of user and sometimes, absord the impact of a fall.

Conclusion: This type of phone may be suitable for young sportsmen/women who are constantly on the field or executive who are constantly out of office due to its solar powered capability. They do not have to worry about running out of battery.

Do the same evaluation for the 2 mobile phones below in terms of its functions, aesthetics, ergonomics and materials and lastly, make a conclusion on the intended user the design is catering for.

For Sec 1: Topic On Design COnsiderations & Assignment (12 Jul - 16Jul)

Hi my Sec 1 groups,

As a consumer when you want to buy a product, you would consider these following factors on several similar products before you make a decision on which to buy.

Like wise as a designer, we need to consider these factors so that we can better cater to the needs of our potential customers.

These design considerations are:

(1) Function - How the products work? What are the functional features in the product?

(2) Aesthetic/Appearance - How the product looks? What are the designs?

(3) Ergonomics - Is the product easy to use? Is the product comfortable to use? Is the prouct safe to use?

(4) Materials

Assignment (12 Jul - 16 Jul):
You need to find at least 3 pictures, drawings or photos of fun and interesting namecard holders.
You will do a product research on these 3 pictures, comment and compare them based on the 4 design consierations above.

Production planning

Hi,

Production planning can be in the form of a time chart, sequence drawing and flowchart.

For time chart which you have been using all this while, you can refer to your textbook on the section of production planning.

For sample of sequnece drawing, click here.

For sample of flowchart, click here.

Development Update 2

Hi,

A sample of the development (joining and fixing) of storage unit.

Reference: http://www.technologystudent.com/despro_flsh/devel1.html

Development Update

Hi,

These are the breakdown of what you might consider under the development in your journal.

The mindmap below outlines some of the factors affecting the development of a design.















Factors to consider in development.

Ergonomics: Design for human usage. For eg. Any parts of the design which has handle / Design that fits into palm size / Design to be wore over the wrist or any bodyparts / Design to be hung on wall. You will have to look into ergonomics. Refer to my previous post on ergonomics or click here for more.

Shapes and Forms: REMEMBER, THE DESIGN FROM IDEATION YOU HAVE CHOSEN IS NOT THE FINAL DESIGN. Parts of the design you can still modify forms further to make it aestetically appealing and ergonomically comfortable and safe.. Click here for reference.

Materials: Have to research and find the right material that will influence the final design. For example: For wearing accessories, what material would be suitable so that it is light? / For the base of CD holder, material that is durable and strong? Click here to find out more and here1 and here2 for more samples.


Function (TECHNOLOGY): What function does your product has? For eg: A product that turns for a few second when activated has to research into and consider on the mechanism (gears) and electronics (motor, timer circuit and its wiring) / A product that produces light may look into different light outputs and circuit design and implementation. Refer here or here for more. For samples of development of mechanism, click here.


Construction/Assembly: You need to plan and detail down how you cut and join each eseential parts in your joournal. It must tie in with your production plan. Prior, Research on the joints and fixings suitable for your design. Click here for more info on joints and fixings. Along the making, do take a snap shot of essential stages and detail down any changes, modifications , challenges in your development in the journal.