DESIGN PROCESS
WHAT IS DESIGN?
Design is a creative planning process that leads to
useful products and systems.
There is no perfect design.
Requirements of a design
criteria and
constraints.
are made up of
WHAT IS THE DESIGN PROCESS?
The design process is a purposeful method of planning practical solutions to
problems.
The design process is never final; there are always multiple solutions to a
problem.
The design process is influenced by requirements called criteria and constraints.
Adopted PLTW® High School
Design Process
Adopted Design Process
11
10
9
Communicate
Results
Create or
Make
Refine
8
7
11
Define the
Problem
Test and
Evaluate
Design
Process
Research
and
Generate
Ideas
3
3
4
4
6
5
5
6
7
Research
Develop
Ideas
Model or
Prototype
The adopted design
process combines
several steps.
2
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Choose
Best Idea
Develop a
Design
Proposal
Identifying
Criteria and
Constraints
Explore
Possibilities
Select an
Approach
9
Communicate
Results
1
Define the
Problem
DEFINE THE PROBLEM
2
8
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Design
Process
7
Test and
Evaluate
6
Model or
Prototype
3
Research
4
Develop
Ideas
5
Choose
Best Idea
Defining the problem is like
conducting detective work. You
must examine the evidence and
form some
conclusions.
Examples:
Design a vehicle that can communicate with
other vehicles to prevent accidents.
Design an athletic shoe that decreases the
amount of sprained ankles when worn on
hardwood gym floors.
9
Communicate
Results
1
Define the
Problem
BRAINSTORM
2
8
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Design
Process
7
Test and
Evaluate
6
Model or
Prototype
3
Research
4
Develop
Ideas
5
Choose
Best Idea
Brainstorming involves
bringing a group of people
together to generate many
different ideas.
Examples:
“Make the athletic shoe out of plastic.”
“The shoe needs to grip the floor; the
bottom should be made of rubber.”
“The ankle support should be stiff.”
“Don’t forget the air vents.”
All ideas are considered – none are criticized!
9
Communicate
Results
1
Define the
Problem
RESEARCH
2
8
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Design
Process
7
Test and
Evaluate
6
Model or
Prototype
3
Research
4
Develop
Ideas
5
Choose
Best Idea
Research may require going to
the library, using computer
databases, writing letters,
performing experiments, and
asking questions.
Examples:
 Read books and magazines
 View films or videos
 Search the Internet
 Ask questions of the
“experts”
 Create and analyze a survey
9
Communicate
Results
1
Define the
Problem
DEVELOP IDEAS
2
8
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Design
Process
7
Test and
Evaluate
6
Model or
Prototype
3
Research
4
Develop
Ideas
5
Choose
Best Idea
Develop multiple ideas that will
solve the problem and meet the
requirements. The alternatives
may all be quite diverse.
Criteria:
 How will the solution actually work?
 What materials should I use?
 What should the product look like so
that people will buy it?
Constraints:
 Will it be completed by the deadline?
 What size should it be?
9
Communicate
Results
1
Define the
Problem
CHOOSE BEST IDEA
2
8
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Design
Process
7
Test and
Evaluate
6
Model or
Prototype
3
Research
4
Develop
Ideas
5
Choose
Best Idea
Decide on an idea that best meets
the criteria, fits within the
constraints, and has the least
amount of negative characteristics.
List the strengths and weaknesses of
each alternative.
Optimization – Making improvements
to the design idea for better
performance or increased safety
Trade-off – Giving up one desirable
trait for another (i.e., giving up on using
a certain material so that the object is
more affordable)
9
Communicate
Results
1
Define the
Problem
MODEL OR PROTOTYPE
2
8
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Design
Process
7
Test and
Evaluate
6
Model or
Prototype
3
Research
4
Develop
Ideas
5
Choose
Best Idea
Model building is used to
gather additional information
and test design ideas.
Examples:
Realistic drawings or renderings help you
visualize what the solution will look like in real
life.
Scale models or mock-ups are small,
accurate representations of the final product.
3D CAD (computer aided designs) can show
objects in action.
A prototype is a working model; it looks and
functions just like the finished product.
9
Communicate
Results
1
Define the
Problem
TEST AND EVALUATE
2
8
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Design
Process
7
Test and
Evaluate
6
Model or
Prototype
3
Research
4
Develop
Ideas
5
Choose
Best Idea
Models of design solutions
must be tested and important
questions must be answered
during the evaluation.
Is it safe for people and the environment?
Is it comfortable?
Is it affordable?
Is it aesthetically pleasing (does it look
good)?
Will it last as long as it needs to?
Does it meet the criteria and constraints?
Does it work?
9
Communicate
Results
1
Define the
Problem
IMPROVE DESIGN
2
8
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Design
Process
7
Test and
Evaluate
6
Model or
Prototype
3
Research
4
Develop
Ideas
5
Choose
Best Idea
After studying all test data
and evaluating design
solutions, you may need to
make changes.
Now is the time to improve a design –
before production begins.
During the improve design phase, you
may consider new ideas.
9
Communicate
Results
1
Define the
Problem
COMMUNICATE RESULTS
2
8
Brainstorm
Improve
Design
Design
Process
7
Test and
Evaluate
6
Model or
Prototype
3
Research
4
Develop
Ideas
5
Choose
Best Idea
Share your design ideas with
others to prove the design is
worthy of manufacturing.
Examples:
Poster
Drawings
Charts
Prototypes
PowerPoint presentation
Reports
Discussion
IMAGE RESOURCES
Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip Art. Retrieved September 25, 2008, from
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx
Wikimedia commons (2008). Retrieved September 25, 2008, from
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Dummies.jpg