Tuesday 16 April 2013

TALK the talk: Phases in Design Development Cycle

  Generally, there are four phases in design development cycle. Each phase will contain different design processes that will relate with each other.


          Diagram of Design Development Phases



Concept Phase
Concept Phase is the initial phase of all design process. Designers will generate concept and idea to solve problem that they encountered in their daily life. At this phase, designers will carry out research and investigation in order to understand the problem as well as produce idea solution through research.

Design Phase
This is the longest phase of all. Designers will need to go through much critical thinking process in order to visualize their solution idea. Sketches, idea visualize, and computer generating graphic are part of the activities in this phase.

Prototype Phase
First generation design or original design is produced during this phase. Prototype is an experimental working model of something to be manufactured. Designers come out with prototype in order to identify the rate of success of their solution.

Production Phase
A phase where manufacture process and marketing planning occurred.

The following is a details analysis of phase in design development cycle. The example is given in Product Design Design Process.





CONCEPT PHASE
 Problem
  Designers will gain his inspiration or an idea (solution) in order to solve some problem they encounter in their daily life or perhaps they spot a need which could be filled. Sometime, the problem itself can come from a client’s request as well.

Briefing
  Designers normally will have their first thought of solution after they realizes the problem. It is good for designers to note down their idea as well as the problem situation. Conclusion, this step requires designers to come out a statement of intent. Sometimes, a client will provide a designer brief as well. Based on the explanation of Five Simple Steps LLP. A brief is a comprised of lists of the requirements that any solution needs to have if it is to provide a satisfactory answer to the problem. It generally outlines the initial aims and objectives of the project, the deliverable and may indicate many of the client's expectations about the final work's function or appearance.

Research & Investigation
  A research and investigation on the problem and solution is an important design process as it will provides designers a better understanding on the problem and helps designers compare or verify their solution with other solution. Through investigation, designers will understand the root of problem, the history of the problem and also their solution success rate. This process also consists of interview, inquiry and experimental study.

Solution Evaluate
  After research, designers will somehow come out with more solutions, it is good if designers can evaluate their idea in a more details way. This means designers have to note down and explain their solutions. This will prevent designers from forget and see their solutions in a clearer way.

Solution Selection
  If designers come out with plenty of solution, then they have to do a clear review and select the best solutions out from others. At this stage, designers will think critically and filter out some good solutions.

Planning & Review
 Designers will make a final review on their solutions, checking any error or mistake made by their own. If no error occurred, designers can start their planning on sketch and also other issue like funding, tool using, etc.


DESIGN PHASE
Idea Generation
  This initial stage requires designers to develop solutions into a form. Designers will produce a lot of quick sketch during this step as a result of their idea visualization. This is the first sketches that designers will produced, the sketch may be rough as it only serves as draft idea that prevent designers from forgetting.


Draft Idea Sketch.


Idea Sketch
  Designers start to working on their draft idea sketch after they select the best for further development. The sketch at this stage will have a clean and clear image accompany with description and proper measurement to describe its potential. The image is also drawn in more details way.
Design Drawing


Rate & Select
  After designers finish all their sketches, it is time for them to rate their sketch and select the best sketches for final development (Detailing). A best sketch does not only best match the solution requirements but also achieve in high aesthetics value.

Idea Detailing
  It is a stage where designers make their design drawing looks real. At this stage, the selected sketch is develops into another state, it includes all the information needed to make the product. (technical drawing, CAD Drawing, Computer 3D Model, Rendering). At this stage, a designer maybe start a detail design by using CAD software in order to make the design or idea become more visible and realistic.





Review

  Like previous phase, designers should take time to make a review on their final idea drawing to prevent any error and also seek for space that can improve the idea.



PROTOTYPING PHASE
Prototype

  Base on online dictionary-FreeDictionary.com. A prototype is an early product sample and is the first or experimental working model of something to be manufactured. It is usually in full size with actual product and usually lack of real product surface finishing. A prototype is created in order to test the concept idea whether it will be working or not and also serve as a preliminary idea formation. At this stage, designers will produce a prototype based on their drawing during previous stage. Some designers may create a 3D model or mock up before going to prototype.




Testing
  After a prototype is created, designers need to test its function. Issue need to be concern during this stage is the function of prototype, the objectives of prototype and the way to modify the prototype. Designers need to know whether the prototype can fully function, does it fulfills the needs of design brief and does any modification need to be include in the prototype, if do, how is the modification and does it improve the prototype.

Amend
  Any mistake or error occurred on prototype have to be solve. At this stage, designers will think the way to improve and remove the weakness and error of its prototype.

Review
  Designers should study back its prototype to prevent any mistake and to ensure that the prototype is now fully function and ready for mass production.


PRODUCTION PHASE
Tooling Design
  For some product, tools needed to create the product need to be design as well. Example is the mold for plastic product. If the product does not need any special tools that need to be created, then the product can go for a real production.




Marketing Planning
  It may be not a job for designer to consider the marketing of the product, but however, it is good that the designer plan the marketing strategy or give suggestion to their marketing partner. A good promotion and a suitable selling location are vital for the success of the product. A good product may not sell well if the marketing planning is weak.

Product Release
  This stage is the stage of product manufacture and the release of product.




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