GCSE+Electronics+Coursework+DESIGN+IDEAS-CASING

toc = Design Ideas - Casing = By the time you arrive at this stage you should have a good understanding of what the customer actually wants. Remember that the customer could be anyone for whom the final product is intended, a family member, a friend or the general public. Listen to the "voice of the customer" refer to your market research, and your specifications where you have established the key features of your design. = Initial Ideas =
 * Developing design ideas**
 * Overview
 * Generating ideas
 * Choosing from a range of designs
 * Generating concept designs
 * Evaluation
 * Technical drawing
 * The use of CAD for design and 3D modelling
 * Modelling and prototyping
 * Justification of your final choice
 * Testing the final design
 * Modifying the design
 * Overview: The design specification gives all the guidelines for the solution, and an outline of what is to be achieved by the product. Some people find it difficult to come up with ideas - this is quite normal. The finished design is often changed and modified beyond recognition from the first thoughts of the designer. For example look at the research, design thought and processes in the design of a piece of body adornment.


 * media type="custom" key="4344965"
 * Generating ideas: When you are designing a new product, look at a range of other products, they may not be the same but they may help you generate ideas. You may look for inspiration at things / objects that have no relevance at all to your chosen design idea.
 * [[image:JewelMindMap.jpg]]
 * 1) Designers often use mind mapping sessions to generate ideas.
 * 2) Make notes and sketches of anything you think may help. Here is a mind map of products with similar attributes to the body adornment (when I find a great electronics example I will include it).
 * 3) Notes are commonly included in sketches to remind the designer of important features.
 * [[image:E_GenIdeas.jpg]]
 * Choosing from a range of designs: When generating ideas and creating mind maps remember:
 * 1) Put down any ideas that come into your head.[[image:Examplar_1.jpg]]
 * 2) Do not leave ideas out because they do not sound very good.
 * 3) The more the better, for example: 10 - 15 designs - simple sketches count as designs, which then lead onto another simple sketch idea, that then combines two three ideas and develops into sketch four and five. then you get bored with that idea and start another one.
 * [[image:Examplar_2.jpg]]
 * Another suggestion is that you can use Google SketchUp for designing, as some students are creating initial ideas using this method, I have done this personally in the past as well. (Using other 3D software - Strata3D) - It can add some sophistication to designs quite early on.

= Development = = = = Review =
 * Generating concept designs
 * Evaluation
 * Technical drawing
 * The use of CAD for design and 3D modelling
 * Modelling and prototyping
 * media type="custom" key="4451721"
 * Justification of your final choice
 * Testing the final design
 * Modifying the design

= Checklist = For your design ideas, this section carries the highest marks! Refer back to your specifications e.g.
 * Freehand Sketches**
 * Neatly drawn - add colour, outline the edges with a black fine-liner. This will help with presentation.
 * Annotate each one:**
 * //"This idea looks very stylish and should be attractive to the target market"//
 * //"This idea has plenty of space for the PCB / controls as needed in the specification"//
 * //"This idea may not have the required space for the PCB / controls, so therefore may not meet the specifications"//
 * //"This idea has all the functions required in my specification... e.g. The LED display fit neatly into the casing..."//
 * //"This idea looks stylish but may be difficult to manufacture. More research is required"//
 * Mention possible materials:**
 * //"Made from a combination of High Density Polystyrene (HDP) and// //Acrylic// //as suggested in the specifications//"
 * //"Made from acrylic, this will ensure stability and will make it look attractive and and easy to clean"//
 * //"Complex shape made from MDF and then// //vacuum// //formed using High Density Polystyrene// (HDP)"
 * Mention possible assembly methods****:**
 * //"Glue components together using acrylic cement"//
 * //"Glue components together using epoxy resin"//
 * //"Countersink head screws used so that they will be flush with the surface"//
 * Mention possible finishes and colour:**
 * //"Polished acrylic with engraved and coloured designs"//
 * //"Vacuum formed HDP which has had a design printed on using sublimation printing first"//
 * //"Add a final logo cut on the vinyl cutter"//

Annotation could also include: product features and functions, user, advantages and disadvantages Try to use a wide range of techniques, perspective, freehand, cross-section, isometric.

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