Activity 1.2.1 Design Process
Introduction
All humans have the ability to design and solve problems. Design is a creative
process that allows people to realize their dreams and ideas to improve their lives.
Good designs turn ideas into products and systems to please the consumer.
Engineers and designers use a systematic method of solving problems called the
design process. The design process is never finished; there are always multiple
solutions to problems. As new technology is available, there may be new solutions
that are now feasible. Can you imagine if we were still driving the first automobile
invented? Innovations to the automobile have occurred because of new technology
available and the ideas and dreams of consumers.
Equipment
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GTT notebook
Computer with Internet access
Headphones to plug into computer
Procedure
In this activity you will learn about the 9 steps in the GTT Design Process and apply
them to a challenge completed by the PBS Kids Design Squad team.
1. Complete Design Process Notes page of the handout attached as your teacher
explains the GTT Design Process using the Design Process presentation.
2. Log in to a computer with headphones and listen to one of the Design Squad
videos from Season 2. Use this url: http://pbskids.org/designsquad/ then
choose from one of the design challenges that the design squad completed. You
can choose from: Cardboard Furniture, PVC Kayak, Green Machines, Gravity
Bikes, Water Dancing, Backyard Thrill Ride, Big Bugs, Aquatic Robotics, Band
Cam, No Crying in Baseball, Hockey Net Target, Off-Road Go-Karts1 and OffRoad Go-Karts 2.
3. Complete the Design Squad area of the handout after watching the video on the
computer.
4. Complete the conclusion questions and turn in the activity to your instructor.
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GTT – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.2 – Activity 1.2.1 – Design Process – Page 1
9
1
Communicate
Results
Design Process Notes
1. What is design? A design is a creative process used
to come up with useful products ideas and systems.
Define the
Problem
2
8
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Design
Process
7
Test and
Evaluate
6
Like conducting detective
work.
You must examine the
evidence and form
conclusions.
Brainstorm
Bringing up a group of
people together to generate
many different ideas.
5
Choose
Best Idea
2. What is the design process? It is a method of planning solutions to
solve problems, it is never final, and it is influenced by the criteria and
constraints.
Definition
Example
A car that can
communicate with other
vehicles.
Design a athletic shoe
that decreases the
amount of injuries.
Make the shoe out of
plastic
Shoe needs to grip floor
Needs stiff ankle support
Must have air vents
Research
Go to the library, using
computers, writing letters,
performing experiments,
and asking questions to
find information.
Develop Ideas
Come up with ideas that will
solve the problem and meet
the requirements.
Choose Best Idea
Contemplate and decide on
an idea that best meets the
criteria and constraints.
4
Develop
Ideas
Model or
Prototype
Design Process Step
Define the Problem
3
Research
Read books and
magazines.
View films or videos.
Search the internet.
Create and review
surveys.
Criteria: How it will work?
What materials?
What should it look like?
Constraints: Will it be
completed by deadline?
What size should it be?
List strengths and
weaknesses. Make
improvements the design
for optimum safety.
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GTT – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.2 – Activity 1.2.1 – Design Process – Page 2
Model or Prototype
-Building is used to gather
additional info and test
design ideas.
Test and Evaluate
-It must be tested and
important questions must
be answered during the
evaluation.
Improve Design
After studying all test data
and evaluating design
solutions, you may need to
make changes.
Communicate
Results
Share your design ideas
with others to prove the
design is worthy of
manufacturing.
-Realistic drawings or
renderings.
-Scale models or mockups
-3D CAD
- Make prototype
-Is it safe
-Is it comfortable
-How long will it last
-Does it meet criteria and
constraints
This is time to improve
design before
production. During the
improve design phase
consider new ideas.
-Poster
-Drawings
-Charts
-Reports
-Prototypes
Design Squad
1. Which video did you watch? Water Dancing.
2. In your own words, describe the problem/challenge that was given to the teams.
They were challenged to designing prosthetics for a dancer that she could use in the
water and they would p
3. List the criteria and constraints that were given to the teams.
Has to like a sea creature and must be water proof and propel her through the water.
By using non-traditional materials.
4. Complete the table below, describing what each team did at each stage of the
design process.
Green Team
Purple Team
Brainstorm
They thought of some sea
animals to base their ideas
off of.
Research
They looked around for
common household things
to use and ideas.
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GTT – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.2 – Activity 1.2.1 – Design Process – Page 3
Develop Ideas
They developed ideas by
using common household
things like umbrellas.
Choose Best Idea
Umbrellas for hands that
would propel her forward in
water.
Model or Prototype
They used two umbrellas
that attached to her wrist
guards and clear flippers for
her feet.
Test and Evaluate
They had a girl test out the
umbrellas in the pool.
Improve Design
They had to improve the
support to make it stronger.
And they have to make it
more functional for Lisa.
They all talked to Lisa and
she told them what she
thought.
Communicate
Results
Conclusion
1. Why do we use a design process?
To come up with a great idea that works the best.
2. Which stage in the design process do you think is most important? Why?
The test stage so they can see if it actually works.
3. Teamwork is an important part in completing projects and design challenges. If
you were working on a team, how would you contribute to the team?
I would help organize and bring my ideas up!
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GTT – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.2 – Activity 1.2.1 – Design Process – Page 4
4. Which team won the challenge that you viewed? Based on what you saw, how
would you explain their success?
The green team won due to the beauty of their flippers and how it transformed her
body into something it wasn’t. The purple team really should have tried harder with
fixing the umbrellas otherwise it was a great idea! Overall both teams were really
creative and had great ideas.
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Copyright 2010
GTT – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.2 – Activity 1.2.1 – Design Process – Page 5