Types of modelling:
Drawings: Drawing is a great way for a designer with an idea in his head to get onto paper. It
can then be shown to others for their opinion on the design and for the designer himself to
fully visualise if the model would work for its use. Drawings can help someone make a
decision about whether the technological outcome would be useful and fit for its purpose.
Drawings will give someone an idea, once the model has been drawn, of how improvements
can be made and how it should be and what could happen.
Sketches: A sketch is something not intended as a finished product but something that can
be used to plot ideas and different designs together. It is a way to record an idea down
which can be later used to put together a technological outcome. Sketches support decision
making because they provide someone with different ideas they have had that they can put
together into a finished product.
Computer models: Computer modelling allows someone to put their design into a 3-D
model to get the full visual effect of what the design could look like once created. Someone
can look at the computer model and decide whether there needs to be a slight change in
the model or what could happen to a specific point of the design or what it should do.
Mock-ups: Mock ups are a full size, scale model of a design and is used to see how the
technological design will function, look or appeal to a customer or stakeholder. It can be
used for testing to check it fulfils its purpose. This can provide someone with a clear idea of
what the technological outcome would be.
Scale models: Scale models are a scaled down version of a design. This gives someone a
clear picture of what the design would look like if built. They can then see if any part of the
design is flawed or where alterations may have to be changed. A scale model can help
someone make the decision on whether to go ahead and build the full size version.
Component models (joints): Models of components, such as joints, are a great indication of
how components will function and look on the design. Someone can trial out manufacturing
many different components to find the one best suited to the design. This gives someone
the decision of which component would be best suited to the design.
Templates: templates are mainly used in mass manufacturing to ensure that every piece of
the design it made to a specific size. Templates give a manufacturer a much quicker and
more accurate rate of production.
Prototypes: prototypes are very similar to mock ups. Only prototypes can provide the best
learning because essentially they are the real design. It can be tested for its strength,
durability, looks and cost. This provides someone with a product which they can then decide
whether to continue with. These things can be learnt from mock ups as opposed to scale
models, computer models and drawings because it is the real thing. A scale model cannot
provide the designer with how strong or how durable the real design will be, it can provide
them with how it will look but it would not be in as greater detail as a prototype. Drawings
and computer designs limit the amount that can be learnt from because they don’t provide
a real 3D design that the designer can look at from different angles and touch.
Which ones have you used?
To design my bench I used many of the above types of modelling. I started by doing some
rough sketches of different bench designs I had thought of, by putting it onto paper I could
then see which designs would look good, work well and meet my stakeholders
requirements. This even gave me the option of incorporating 2 designs I liked together to
see if it would improve the design. This provided me with a range of designs I could choose
from and decide which ones I would develop. I learnt from this that roughly drawing designs
that you think of is a great way to gain a variety of designs which I can then develop
After I hold done my rough sketches I moved on to doing some more detailed drawings of
the chosen designs. This enabled me to look at more in-depth aspects of my bench designs
giving me the ability to see how I could construct it, the joints I would use and the
dimensions of the bench. I could then show my designs to the stakeholder where we could
discuss which alterations would be made and what aspects of the drawings they liked. I
have learnt from doing the drawings that it is a great way for me to make a decision of
where to go next and see what would be the ideal design for my stakeholder. It also gave
me knowledge of how some designs may be weaker than others depending on the shape
and components used.
I also made different test joints to see which would be best suited to my design. These test
joints included a mortise and tenon, dowel joint, Dove tail joint, finger joint.
By doing this I could see the process of making these joints and how each of them looks and
functions. Making test joints was a great way for me to see which would be best suited to
my bench; I could also see how strong each one was. From then on it made it easier for me
to make a decision for what joint I wanted because when I made some joints like the bridal
and dove tail I decided then that they were not adequate for my bench design.
Then I incorporated computer modelling with scape modelling. I used CorelDraw to design
my bench on. I then sent it to the laser cutter which cut out my design onto a piece of MDF.
I then glued the components together to test my design. By sitting an Ergonome on my 1/
5th scale model I was able to see if the dimensions were correct. This proved very useful
because it was clear to see when the Ergonome was on my chair it was too high giving me a
great indication of what dimensions would need to be changed on my real design. Some of
the aspects of my design looked wrong like the spacing between the slats were too big and
the top was too long for the benches legs and rails. My design was also weak and very
unexciting to look at which inspired me to improve on my design and make the necessary
changes to my dimensions.
I then went back to computer modelling using Google Sketch up to make a 3D model using
the knowledge I gained from my scale model I added a curve into my rails and changed the
dimensions of the bench to make it more ergonomic and comfortable. I also make the rails
and legs wider with more depth because looking at my scale model it looked like it could
bend or possibly break due to the lack of support. Google sketch up also let me sample
different colours of wood on my bench design helping me see which would suit best for the
design and what the stakeholder requested.
The construction process of my bench shouldn’t take too long as long as there are no
unforeseen delays because the process for it is relatively simple allowing me time to make
sure all the details are right and not rush it and make mistakes. What could go wrong is if my
model I used to create my cutting list from is inaccurate causing gaps or even causing the
components to not be able to fit together when I come to gluing it up or the joints I have
chosen do not function or not strong enough for their intended use. My design shouldn’t
come out too expensive because I am using Macrocarpra which is a relatively cheap wood
so if I do require using some extra resource it won’t be too expensive.
I am quite confident that the materials I am using are strong enough because I have worked
with them before in previous years and have also researched their strength so I believe my
materials will be strong enough. The main thing that could happen is it the Macrocarpra has
a knot in it in a crucial point which could cause a weak spot on my bench.