Aesthetics - PDF

AESTHETICS ‫جماليات‬  Aesthetics is concerned with how something looks and how it appeals to the human eye. In Product Design, aesthetics is ranked very highly as usually the human eye is attracted to something initially based on how it looks. People tend to be drawn to something based en...

AESTHETICS ‫جماليات‬  Aesthetics is concerned with how something looks and how it appeals to the human eye. In Product Design, aesthetics is ranked very highly as usually the human eye is attracted to something initially based on how it looks. People tend to be drawn to something based entirely on its looks before investigating other important factors such as function. IMPORTANT AESTHETIC FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN PRODUCT DESIGN: ❑ Does the product appeal to its target market? ❑ Does it blend in with its surroundings? ❑ Does the product look robust, durable and sturdy? ❑ Does it look clean/easy to keep clean? ❑ Does the product look expensive ❑ Does the product look as better than similar products already available? SYMMETRY/ASYMMETRY ❑ Studies show that humans prefer things which are symmetrical as a pose to asymmetrical  Idea Generation Techniques Designers employ a range of different techniques in order to generate large amounts of ideas in a short space of time. Sometimes new ideas for improving existing products are generated while at other times concepts for new products are generated. Brainstorming/Thought Showers is a group activity where a range of people from different backgrounds or with different areas of expertise discuss possibilities for new ideas. Technology Transfer This is an idea generation technique in which solutions to particular problems are adapted from other areas of technology or inspired by nature  Lateral Thinking Often referred to as ‘thinking out of the box.’ Lateral thinking is an approach to problem solving by avoiding the most obvious or direct ways of solving the problem and looking for abstract or seemingly impossible ways of solving it. In this way it is possible to overcome the traditional problems that are faced and come up with a more creative solution or entirely new idea. Analogy Using an analogy is a way of generating new ideas by looking at a product or problem in its most basic state or by comparing it to another product. In this way it is possible to use a simple sentence in order to help you look at a product in a new light or to apply an existing solution to another problem. ❑ A kettle is like a tap for hot water. ❑ A boat is like a car for the water. ❑ An MP3 player is like a portable library for your music. ❑ A wardrobe is like a filing cabinet for your clothes. Do any of these analogies promote any thoughts for new or alternative products?  Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Who owns knowledge/ideas/technology/designs? Confidentiality Covers recipes and formulas. (Fireworks, Irn-Bru, chemicals and medicines). Copyright © Covers Music, Songs, Poems, Stories, Films, Books, Paintings, Images, Photographs. Patent Technology, Gadgets, Mechanisms, New product. Has to be applied for to the Patent Office. Trademark Technology, Gadgets, Mechanisms, New product. Has to be applied for to the Patent Office. You can sell your Patents. Brand What you associate with a company. Quality, Cost, Reliability, Status. Symbols? Design Rights Covers new versions of an existing product which looks different or functions differently. But its still a toaster/Kettle/Car. Registered Design Covers the appearance/style of a particular type of Product.  Modelling Techniques in Product Design Designers use a range of different modelling techniques in order to generate ideas, develop their designs and to communicate different information with different members of the design team or the general public. Different types of models, made from different materials, are also used at different stages of the design process for different purposes. Graphic Description Stage Used Materials Used Tech Quick model used to help Idea generation and Paper, card, generate ideas or to quickly early concept plasticine, Mock Up check/develop the development. construction kits aesthetics of an idea which (Lego etc.), wire, has been drawn on paper. pipe cleaners. Can also be used to check sizes and basic ergonomics. Working model of a part or Used during Woods, metals, section to check that development to check construction kits, Model/ mechanisms and electronics that internal breadboards and Test Rig are going to work correctly components will work electronic and not break or wear out and to see what size components, will too easily). It will not they have to be before require skilled Test usually look anything like detailed design takes individuals and the final product. place. equipment.  A smaller (or bigger) During development to Paper, card, sheet plastic, version of a proposal to have non technical wire, expanded show clients/consumers people evaluate a foam(Styrofoam), clay, Scale Model what a design will look proposal and give their balsa wood, could like. It’s hard to show feedback. produce a rapid someone a full size prototype. model of a hotel, housing scheme or cruise liner. A lifelike and life size Used in the development Styrofoam, clay, balsa model which looks like stage to allow clients and wood, MDF, polyfiller, Block Model the proposed product consumer groups to epoxy resin, spray paint, but will not work. It just evaluate the aesthetics standard looks realistic. and basic ergonomics of a components(wheels, tires, proposed solution. Can etc), whatever it takes to also be used for make it look real. advertising purposes. Graphi Description Stage Used Materials Used c Techn Full size working model of Very late in the Made from the the proposed solution which development same materials looks and works like the final stage. Some very that the final product. These are very complex products product will be Prototype expensive to produce and are with go through made from. used to check that a product several Will require a lot works (function, mechanics, generations of of specialist electronics, ergonomics, prototype before labour and assembly, maintenance, etc). the product is equipment and manufactured. take a long time to produce.  3D computer generated Used to detail designs Non tangible – can model which is used to later in the development be made to look check that components process and to aid with like any material Computer Models can be assembled manufacture. you like. correctly before Can also be used to manufacture. Can also be create simulations to used to evaluate check safety and aesthetics and to performance of products produce animations and (cars, buildings, aircraft, rapid prototypes. boats). Highly accurate and Used during development Will be made from Rapid Prototype quickly produced part to check assembly, the material that produced by computer aesthetics and ergonomics the particular controlled machinery from prior to manufacture. machine uses. a computer generated 3D (See notes on rapid Can be paper, ABS, model. prototyping) starch(like pasta!), wax, metal.  Rapid Prototyping Rapid prototyping is the name given to the process of quickly producing accurate solid models of computer generated models using computer controlled machinery that builds the model up in layers. These rapid prototypes can be used in the development of new products. It is important to recognise the difference between rapid prototyping which is an additive process (starting with nothing and building the product in successive layers) and CNC machining which is a reductive process (starting with a solid lump of material which is cut down gradually to the required shape). The Process The process begins with a designer or engineer producing a 3D model of a product or a component on a computer modelling package. The model is then converted into a file. At this stage the programme breaks the 3D model down into thousands of paper thin layers which when sat one on top of the other will create the original model. This file is then sent by the computer to a rapid prototyping machine. There are many different types of rapid prototyping machinery which use different materials to produce the model. The rapid prototyping machinery will then build the model layer one layer on top of the other over a matter of hours. If there are going to be overhanging areas which need supported a separate, water soluble, material is used to support the overhanging section. The extra material is removed once the process has finished without affecting the actual model.  Advantages ❑ Models are produced very quickly compared to traditional manual models. ❑ Rapid prototype models are accurate to 1000th of a millimetre. ❑ You can check that all of the components of a model will fit together – eliminating expensive and time consuming mistakes during manufacture. ❑ It is possible to evaluate the ergonomics of the rapid prototype. ❑ Using rapid prototyping greatly reduces the time it takes to develop a product and get it into the market. ❑ Identified mistakes in the design can easily and quickly be edited on the computer model. ❑ You can produce very complex shapes.  Disadvantages ❑ Rapid prototyping equipment is very expensive. Small scale companies have to pay someone else to produce their models which can lead to a loss of intellectual property and adds time to the design process. ❑ Rapid prototyping machines only use one specific material. This means that you are unlikely to have the model made in the material you want. ❑ Rapid prototype models are limited in size by the ‘envelope size’ of the machine being used. This is usually about the size of a box of A4 paper. ❑ Rapid prototyping machines can produce any form. This means that you could waste a lot of time developing a form which you cannot manufacture.  The Design Team The design team comprises of several professionals with different skills who will contribute to the design and manufacture of a product and the running of a company. Generally the members of the design team will work in one of the following teams – Design Manufacture Marketing Team Role Stages of member Involvement Designing and developing products that willDeveloping a brief. function properly, be easy to use and appeal Analysing a brief. Designer to the intended target market. Producing a Communicates with other team members specification. throughout the design and manufacture of a Generating ideas. product. Developing proposals. Ensuring that electronic and mechanical Analysis of a brief. parts will work and be reliable. Research. Ensuring that the manufacture of a product Producing a Engineer will be possible and choosing appropriate specification. materials to ensure reliability and Generating ideas. durability. Developing Communicating with designers regarding proposals. sizes of component parts, materials and Manufacture. manufacture.  Manufacturer Is responsible for the manufacture and Developing assembly of products to the specification proposals. given by the designer and engineers. Manufacture. Will be consulted during the development stage to ensure that products can be manufactured and assembled easily. Responsible for researching and Development of a Market Researcher communicating information about the brief. market and the user with the designer. Analysis of a brief. Responsible for sourcing and buying Research. materials needed for manufacture of Generating ideas. products. Developing proposals. Responsible for advertising and selling Promoting products. products prior to and after launch.  Will run feasibility studies to check Research? Accountant that a company will make money rather than lose it. Keeps track of debts and capital outlay of the company. Will be involved in registering Development? designs, seeking patents and acquiring licences for using patented Lawyer technology. Also responsible for legal issues regarding safety of products and disclaimers.