Overview

The brief for this module will be set by an external partner company, and the project will last for eight weeks in duration. The partner company will require a new original product/invention be generated, or a re-design of a current product, or a new product that competes against their market competitors. The module is split into four distinct phases, known as 'Crits'. Each phase requires a presentation be submitted/presented to the company - each phase corresponds a four-step design process. Theses presentations are assessed by college staff.

Crit 1 - presentation of market and user research, along with a definition of design intent and direction.

Crit 2 - presentation of concept ideas along with initial 'proof of concept' testing results.

Crit 3 - presentation of the final prototype outcome, along with usability/functional testing results.

(Presentations have a max time of 4 minutes each)

CAD, FEA and Digital Graphics will be taught via weekly exercises which are assessed.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply the fundamental stages of the commercial design process in full to complete a given brief

• Appreciate environmental, ethical and social factors that affect the designing of products

• Be organised in the way they work and begin to consider how to manage their time

• Communicate clearly in oral and written forms

• Develop basic skills for analysing, researching, synthesising and evaluating information to aid designing

• Develop their knowledge of manufacturing processes and begin to use a range of materials, structures, and components to manufacture a product

• Understand basic materials selection, testing and application

• Understand how to begin applying the above in an industrial context (Module links XUC|E2047 / XUC|E2048)

• Understand the fundamental health and safety issues involved with the given brief and demonstrate safe working practice

• Understand the fundamentals of CAD/CAM systems

• Understand the fundamentals of Digital Graphics for industrial and commercial application

• Understand the fundamentals of FEA analysis

• Use digital media to improve presentation and design communication