The Design Process Descriptive Models

There have been many attempts to draw up maps or models of the design process. Some of these models simply describe the sequences of activities that typically occur in designing; other models attempt to prescribe a better or more appropriate pattern of activities.

Descriptive models of the design process usually identify the significance of generating a solution concept early in the process, thus reflecting the solution-focused nature of design thinking. This initial solution conjecture is then subjected to analysis, evaluation,refinement and development. Sometimes, of course, the analysis and evaluation show up fundamental flaws in the initial conjecture and it has to be abandoned, a new concept generated and the cycle started again. The process is heuristic: using previous experience, general guidelines and rules of thumb that lead in what the designer hopes to be the right direction, but with no absolute guarantee of success.

In Chapter 1 I developed a simple descriptive model of the design process, based on the essential activities that the designer performs. The end-point of the process is the communication of a design, ready for manufacture. Prior to this, the design proposal is subject to evaluation against the goals, constraints and criteria of the design brief. The proposal itself arises from the generation of a concept by the designer, usually after some initial exploration of the ill-defined problem space. Putting these four activity types in their natural sequence, we have a simple four-stage model of the design process consisting of: exploration, generation, evaluation and communication.

This simple four-stage model is shown diagrammatically in Figure 9. Assuming that the evaluation stage does not always lead directly onto the communication of a final design, but that sometimes a new and more satisfactory concept has to be chosen, an iterative feedback loop is shown from the evaluation stage to the

generation stage.

Models of the design process are often drawn in this flowdiagram form, with the development of the design proceeding from one stage to the next, but with feedback loops showing the iterative returns to earlier stages which are frequently necessary.

For example, French (1985) has developed a more detailed model of the design process, shown in Figure 10, based on the following activities: analysis of problem; conceptual design; embodiment of schemes; detailing. In the diagram, the circles represent stages reached, or outputs, and the rectangles represent activities, or work in progress.

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Engineering Design Methods

Strategies for Product Design

THIRD EDITION

Nigel Cross

The Open University, Mi/ton Keynes, UK

JOHN WILEY & SONS, LTD

Chichester- New York. Weinheim • Brisbane. Singapore. Toronto

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