Grade 8 Chapter 3 Design

GENERAL OBJECTIVES SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Learners will: Learners should be able to:
• know the stages in the design process • list, describe and apply the first four
design stages:
- general analysis of the problem and
the formulation of the design brief
- preparation and precision of
specification
- exploration of ideas
- development of proposed solution

What is design?
Design is the process of thinking about and drawing or jotting down a possible solution to a
problem or developing a new idea
.
People mostly design products to fulfil our basic needs or wants. Keeping this in mind,
people who design must consider the following three important concepts:
• Functionality
• Aesthetics
• Ergonomics.

Functionality
A piece of work is made for a reason.
The object must be able to perform certain functions, serve a certain purpose and be
aesthetically and emotionally pleasing.

Aesthetics
Aesthetics refers to the study of beauty.
Each piece of work should be a piece of art.
This means that it should be beautiful in appearance and should suit its function perfectly.

Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of the design of objects, systems, and environments for their safe
and efficient use by people.

Fig. 1: These figures show the average

dimensions (in mm) of the human body
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 Fig. 2: The handle of a torch is designed
to fit comfortably in a person’s hand.

The design processes

A process is several operations or activities carried out in a specific sequence (order) to
make or achieve something.
The design process consists of several activities grouped together in different stages.
Framework for designing
You can use two types of designing frameworks to solve problems:

1. Outline designing frameworks.

These frameworks provide simple guidance for solving straightforward problems.

2. Integrated designing frameworks.

These frameworks give more detail.
They are used for more difficult designs that need a lot of time.

Fig. 3: Diagram of a design process

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Getting started
You will need to make a design folder.

1. The design folder should be a precise document that shows all your ideas and thinking.
It is more comfortable to work on A3 sheets because you can get more sketching and
ideas on these sheets without losing parts of ideas.

2. Explain the problem that you need to solve through your designing and making.
You should assume that your product will be commercially manufactured; therefore, you
should also explain the need for it, i.e. why people would buy the product.

3. Try to explain:
• The type of people who will use your product.
• The area or environment your product will be designed for.
• Any financial constraints that will influence your design and making.

4. You need to manage your time carefully.

It is useful to work out a time plan because you should spend one third of your time
designing your product and the rest of your time making your product.

Market research
There are a few points to consider when designing.
When you do market research, use this checklist to make sure you have covered all the
nine points listed below.

Checklist Yes No
1. Identify and explain the problem that should be solved.
2. What is the purpose of the solution?
3. How will the solution be used?
4. How realistic is the suggested solution?
5. Are materials available?
6. Is the solution economical?
7. Is the solution economically friendly?
8. Is there enough time to make it?
9. Is there a need in the market for the design?

Formulating or analysing a design brief

A design brief is a short statement of what you intend to do.
The design brief must be derived from the situation and should explain what you intend to
do to solve the problem.

The design brief should include:

• Function
• User
• Intention
• Location.

Look at the problem in more detail and create strategies to deal with each aspect.

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Investigate the following:
• People.
• Places.
• Products.
• Processes.

People and places

• The age or gender of the people.
• List all the places you need to visit.
• Do not forget the library; in fact, it is a good starting point.
• Visits to relevant shops will help.
• Visit the area or environment for which your design is intended.
• Consider whether you need to visit factories.

Products
• List similar products you need to look at.
• Analysing products is the most useful resource.
• Look for products that solve the problem in different ways — this may give you ideas
for different solutions to the design problem.

Processes
• List all the materials and processes you need to investigate. (Do not forget to keep
the environmental impact in mind.)
• In this part, you will sometimes need to do practical investigations (experiments with
some materials).

Research in the design process

It is important to plan your research.
1. When planning your research, you need to ask three questions:
• What do I know about the design problem already?
• What should I find out?
• Are there different ways of solving the design problem?
2. Your research should be well organised and relevant.
3. Use the following checklist to ensure that you have done everything according to your
research plan.

Checklist Yes No
1. Did I explain what I already know about the problem?
2. Do I have evidence of a wide range of sources used?
3. Did I explain that the information used is of relevance to my
project?
4. Did I include leaflets and brochures in my folio?
5. Did I highlight any information that is relevant to my specification?
6. Did I summarise all the information I have found out?
7. Are there different possible solutions?
8. Have I checked which possible solution will be easier and cheaper
to make?

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Product analysis
Analysing a product involves looking carefully at the product and working out how it was
made by taking it apart.

1. Materials:
• What materials have been used and the reasons why they were used.
• List the characteristics of the materials used in each part of the product.

2. Function:
• What is the need for the product?
• What market is the product aimed at?
• What should the product do?
• How does it function?
• Can it be maintained easily?

3. Ergonomics:
• Is the product safe to use?
• Is it easy and efficient to use?
• Can the function be improved?
• Is it easy to lift and carry around?
• Is it easy to assemble?

4. Manufacturing:
• How was it made?
• Which processes were used for each part?

5. Style:
• Is it a modern design?
• Is it influenced by any design movement?

Testing material
It is not necessary for you to test materials because most of the materials are already
tested and the information is available.
What you can do is make comparisons between materials to choose the suitable ones for
your project.
However, the processes of testing might be useful.
You can use photographs if it is necessary for you to test.
Make sure that you arrive at relevant conclusions from these tests and comparisons.

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 MATERIAL TESTING
Material Testing
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Strength
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Stain proof
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Conclusion
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Testing suitable materials

Summarising your research

• It is not necessary to include or photocopy each book page, catalogue, or leaflet you
have used in your research. Just make a summary of your research.
• Produce a chart to list the materials as your work progresses.

SUMMERY OF RESEARCH
SCOURCE DISCOVERY RELEVANCY

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Summary of research
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Product specifications
Specifications are a list of what the product should achieve.
Specifications must outline specific details of the design and identify the design limits.
The specifications should not show how to solve the problem.
A statement of a specification should be about the problem and should not be general.
When you write specifications, you need to include certain aspects.
Remember that you do not have to include all items listed in the specification; you need to
include at least four items.
Element of specifications Should I include it in
my specifications?
People: age, target market, human
rights, access.
Purpose: function, what the product will
do.
Appearance: colour, shape.
Aesthetics: Does your product need to
be a certain style?
Environment: Where the product will be
used of made, impact on the
environment.
Safety: For users and manufactures.
Cost: Cost of materials, wastage, cost
of manufacture, maximum selling price.

Element of specifications
Use the key words you have written down in the specifics to write a paragraph.
This paragraph gives your design specifications.
Your specification should provide an accurate detailed description of what the product
should be.
Your research is important because it should reflect the information that you found.
Usually, your specifications are displayed as a list of points.

SPECIFICATION
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 Elements of Specifications Should I include it in
specifications my specifications?
People Who wants to help with the rhino?
Who will care for the rhino?
Who wants to keep the rhino in a cage?
Are there people who want to see the
rhino and watch what it does?
Purpose Why the rhino does need care?
Why do some countries keep rhinos in
zoos or special places?
Aesthetics and How should the rhino house look like?
appearance Will it appeal to visitor?
How can I make the rhino house look
like the natural home of a rhino?
Environment Where do rhinos usually live?
Will you help or harm the environment
by making the rhino house?

Safety How can I keep the rhino safe?

Are rhinos a danger to people and other
animals?
Are people a danger to rhinos?
Cost How much will it cost to build the rhino
house?

Exploring and selecting solutions

By now you should be able to sketch possible solutions to your problem.
The solutions can be either new ideas or an improvement of existing ideas.
You should make an isometric sketch with a pencil and include notes.
Your thinking should be guided by the design brief and specifications and should include
details on suggested materials and construction details.
Using your sketches and analysis of each idea, choose the best solution.
Once you have suggested what you think is the best solution, you can develop it further by
looking at form, shape, materials, safety, construction methods and finish.
When doing the development, justify using notes for all decisions made and give
alternatives where applicable.

Generating and presenting ideas

You can have as many ideas as you like, but you should consider time.
Five to ten basic ideas are a lot.

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You may have only three or four ideas.
• It is important to sketch your ideas.
• You can use colour to enhance your sketches of your ideas.
• You can also model your ideas and draw them in pen, or you can photograph them.
• Always add notes to explain your ideas.
• After sketching and explaining your ideas, evaluate each idea. This should be done
against your specifications.
• The idea that fulfils the specifications, as cheaply and simply as possible, will most
likely be your solution to the problem investigated.

PRESENTATION OF IDEAS
EVALUATION EVALUATION
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EVALUATION EVALUATION
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Presentation of ideas

Chapter 3: Assessment

Part A

1. Link the description in Column A with the concept in Column B.

Column A: Description Column B: Concept

Ability to serve a purpose. Aesthetics.
The study of the design of objects, systems, and Functionality.
environments for their safe and efficient use by
people.
The study of beauty. Ergonomics.

2. Link the description in Column A with the concept in Column B.

Column A: Description Column B: Concept

Several activities grouped together in different Specifications.
stages.
A list of what the product should achieve. Design brief.
A short statement of what you intend to do. Design process.

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Part B

Complete a design folder for a product you have made or will be making this year.

Part C

A Company PENS INCORPORATED will produce packaging to sell ball point pens as
shown in the figure below, in batches of 2, 3 or 20.

The size of the pen is: Ø 10 mm and length in 145 mm.

Fig. 3
(i) Packaging for the ball point pens must be designed so that the pens can be
packed in batches of 2, 3 or 20.
(ii) The packaging must be made from card or plastic or both.
(iii) The packaging must be strong enough to be stacked upon each other 20 high in a
box.
(iv) The company logo must be printed onto the packaging.

Answer the following questions on an A3 drawing paper.

Answer your design question to the following design structure.

1. (a) State one important specification for the box. [1]

(b) Give one reason why the specification in 1. (a) is important. [2]

2. (a) Use sketches and notes to propose two ideas for the box. [6]

(b) Select one idea from 2. (a) for your final design. Give a reason for your
choice. [2]

3. Using a suitable method, draw a presentation of your design for a box.

Your drawing should show the major detail and dimensions. [8]

4. List one suitable material for your design. [1]

[20]

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Marking scheme

1. (a) Accept any suitable specification:

• Pleasing appearance
• Easy to move / suitable size
• Safe construction
• Durable/ inexpensive to produce, etc. (1 x 1) [1]

(b) Suitable reason supporting specification in (a) [2]

2. (a) Ideas:
• Two ideas proposed (1)
• Ideas suitable for purpose (2)
• Shape and size considered (ergonomics) (2)
• Referred to or include some construction detail (1) [6]

(b) Idea selection:

• Idea selected (1)
• Suitable reason stated (1) [2]

3. Development:
• Basic outlines representing suitable working drawing (0-1)
• Applicable notes / labelling added to diagrams (0-2)
• Suitably laid out and logically arranged (0-2)
• Effective use of colour / rendering (0-1)
• Major realistic dimensions inserted (0-1)
• Quality and clear presentation (0-1) [8]

4. Suitable material selected [1]

[20]
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