Design process

By Dr.Yasmin
 Design process
• What is a design process?
• Design process: is a series of steps that engineers follow to
come up with a solution for the problem.
• The process is usually thought of as a loop, since engineers are constantly
trying to improve technologies once they are created.
 Criteria and constraint
• Engineers identify specific criteria for the design.
• Criteria: are standards on which a decision should be based.
• The design will be tested based on these criteria or standards.
• Engineers also describe possible constraints.
• Constraints: are things that might limit or stop a solution to the problem.
• Time, money, and materials are often constraints.
• Example: engineers might need a cell phone battery that lasts for two days, but the
constraint will be the size. They know that making a larger battery will work, but size is
a constraint, so they need to think of a different solution.
 Brainstorming

• Why is brainstorming an important part of

the design?
Brainstorming helps people generate ideas
for a solution to a problem
 Prototype
• The next phase of the engineering design process involves researching,
brainstorming and testing multiple solutions that might solve the problem.
• By exploring multiple solutions, engineers can weigh their options in terms of
materials, cost and other factors.
• Engineers usually work as a team to build models and test designs.
• A prototype: is an original or first model of something from to test
and improve for the final design.
• Engineers then record all the data so they can make informed decisions.
 Steps of a Design process
1) Find a problem
2) Brainstorming ideas
3) Plan and research
4) Make a prototype
5) Improve, build and design
6) Record and communicate results
 Questions

• Why should criteria and constraints be determined at

the beginning of a design process?
Designers and engineers do not want to waste time
working on a design that might not be the right size or
too expensive to produce.
• What are some examples of a constraint?
- The materials and their availability
- The safety of the workers
- The time needed to complete the design
- The money
• How are the failure points in the design process
important when designing a model or a
prototype?
Information from failed solutions can help
improve the design of the model.
•The End!