84118 Informing Product Design

Introduction

Since the Industrial Revolution, the profession we recognise as Industrial Design has played a key role in the evolution of people, culture and societies. When a new material is discovered or a manufacturing process is perfected or a group of people change their way of working, design has reconfigured objects in our environment in response to these changes. The protagonists responsible for significant change can be analyzed and much information can be extracted as to the context, methods and materials that were evident at the time. Understanding this is essential and can provide an excellent framework for the study of design today.

Aim

Design a pen holder that captures and synthesizes an influential designer’s style and design philosophy.

Parameters

Each student will be assigned an influential designer and they will conduct a thorough investigation of that designer. Study the products that were designed, the materials and manufacturing processes used, the period in time in which their objects were conceived trying to identify how social and technological change influenced the designs. Furthermore, you should be able to uncover or infer elements of their design philosophy (the reasons for design decision making) and it is this information that will be paramount for directing design decisions that you will make in the course of your own design project.

Once a design has been finalised and students have presented concepts and sketch models they will be required to produce visual boards and a beautifully made appearance model of their final design. There are no restrictions on technologies, materials or manufacturing processes but the build size (volume) of your final design including sketch models is maximum 100x100x200mm.

Deliverables

Assessment Task 1 Part A Concept Design

A minimum of three 3 x A3 concept boards are required for this presentation. You will be required to demonstrate an ability to communicate your design intent through annotated orthographic and perspective drawings. Only hand drawn images, diagrams and text are allowed for this assessment task. The use of computers for graphic or text elements is not allowed. Boards are to be A3 size and printed ready for pin-up on the due date. Everyone to upload a soft copy, single PDF (with 3 pages) onto Canvas before midnight August 28. Maximum file size 10Mb. DUE week 4.

Assessment Task 1 Part B Sketch Model

A 1:1 sketch model is required for this assessment task. Sketch models are to be made from paper, card, foam-core or foam, the use of other materials is allowed only after consultation with the lecturer. Upon completion of the model, photograph all six sides. Place your images onto a single page in accordance with third angle projection. On the second page include some perspective and context shots of your sketch model. Face-to-face classses will be required to present their sketch model in studio. Everyone to upload a soft copy, minimum 2-page PDF onto Canvas before midnight September 4. Maximum file size 5Mb. DUE week 5.

Assessment Task 1 Part C Appearance Model

Each student will be given exclusive access to the DAB Fabrication Workshop for one day during Week 7 and are encouraged to make use of these facilities and workshop staff expertise. There may be opportunity to access workshop in week 6, but this will require students to make their own bookings via the DAB booking system. The brief asks for a ‘appearance model’, which implies a representation of the final design and not a manufactured item. You are encouraged to use ureol as the main material to construct your model along with other materials available in the workshop. You should strive to complete the model to a high standard with the application of paint and graphics. Prior to submitting your Appearance Model photograph your model from all six sides and create a PDF document as per Assessment Task 1 Part B. Upload a softcopy of this document to Canvas before midnight September 25. This is a hand-in only, no presentation is necessary for this class. Due week 8.

NOTE: Take photos of your model prior to submitting, you will need these for your final presentation.

Assessment Task 1 Part D Presentation Boards

Presentation boards should be designed and visually appealing. 2 x A3 boards are required. You will need to communicate your design intent through renderings and/or photographs of your final design (photographs of your final model can be re-touched using photoshop). All images should be annotated. Print out and bring hard copies to studio ready for pin-up. Submit a softcopy onto Canvas before midnight October 16. Maximum file size 10Mb. DUE week 10.

Assessment Task 1 Part E Verbal Presentation

Verbal Presentations will occur during studio. Each student will present to the studio leader and studio group for a maximum of 3 minutes. DUE week 10.

3 and 4

C.2, C.3 and I.3

Introduction

Looking at the evolution of a product typology can be useful tool in understanding the profession of Product/Industrial Design. The impact a product has on society can be revealing, both in terms of positive and negative consequences. Some products have stood the test of time and remained constant participants in our lives. A deeper understanding of this can better inform designers on strategies for new product development.

Developing an ability to uncover information through research is vital. Various research methodologies, strategies and techniques are of core importance in obtaining, analysing and understanding research data and its implications for product design.

Aim

To research a product typology and assemble a visual history of that product in the form of an A2 poster.

Parameters

In studio class students will form pairs and be assigned a product. Each pair is required to research and then produce a visual history of that product. This visual history can be described as a map, timeline or infographic for the assigned product as situated within an Australian context. It would be worthwhile to explore some of the following factors:

• brand/model designer
• date the product was introduced into the Australian market location of manufacture
• evolution of form/aesthetic style design elements/design features
• designs/variants that dominated or were highly successful in the market and why interaction/ritual of use
• effects on user behaviour effects on culture
• advertising/product photography relating to the product reflect on the roles of men and women using the product technological change

The internet will prove a useful place to find information, however, to successfully complete this project other sources such as: books, trade journals and popular magazines will need to be researched to enable diverse and pertinent information to be found. Your own personal contacts (family and friends) may prove a useful resource in assembling your visual history. If possible, take your own photographs of actual products. Spending time in libraries will be necessary to successfully complete this project, therefore managing your workload and personal life so that you spend time in a library.

Deliverables

1 printed A2 poster to pin-up in studio, verbal presentation to be shared between both members of the group. Everyone to submit a softcopy (max file size 5mB) to Canvas beforer midnight October 30. Remember to name your file in the following manner; SURNAME 1 SURNAME 2.pdf

Note: All your information (this includes images) must be appropriately referenced using the APA 7th referencing style. Download the APA 7th Referencing guide from the UTS Library website for more information. Due Week 12

1, 2, 3 and 5

C.1, C.4, R.1 and R.4

Overview
The important skill of sketching is often overlooked by Integrated Product Design students as being
irrelevant. The development of hand drawing skills is still today a vital component in the suite of
design tools a designer must possess for both the recording and communication of information.
Communication to a client, colleague, or manufacturer often involves impromptu meetings and
discussions that will require the designer to think and perform on the spot, almost always sketching
his/her ideas or solutions.

Aim
To practice the skills of drawing and annotation through the creation of an A3 portfolio to reinforce an
understanding of design history.

Parameters
Beginning in week 1, during each lecture you are to take notes and make sketches recording the key
insights. This might include: design styles, names of key designs/objects, dates, influential designers,
drivers of technological change and effects on society and culture. From those notes and sketches
(after the lecture) you are to produce 1 x A3 page with an emphasis on visual presentation. Use
sketches combined with annotations to explore and present that weeks content. For example, a
lecture might focus on Art Deco style and so for your folio page you should sketch three or four
pertinent objects with annotations for the object title, date of manufacture, country of origin,
designer/maker as well as a short thematic description of that design style. You are not required to
recount the full content of each lecture.

What you chose to record is going to be personal to you and so marking criteria focuses on quality of
visual presentation and completeness of the portfolio rather than the specific examples that you have
chosen. The chosen manner of artistic expression that you choose to use is open but ensure each
page is a concise communication. These pages are to be completed by hand including all sketches
and annotations. Scanned images, photocopies and the use of computer manipulated information is
strictly prohibited.

Deliverables
The Design History Folio will cover content delivered in 9 lectures beginning in week 1

• All pages to be A3 in size
• Provide a lecture title and week number for each folio page
• All pages compiled inside an A3 folder and submitted to your studio leader, don't forget to put your name on your folder.

Assessment Task 3 requires no verbal presentation. Submit hard copy in studio of week 12 and a softcopy on Canvas before midnight October 30. Due week 12

3

C.2 and I.3