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Design Awareness Design Awareness & Appreciation& Appreciation

What is a Good Design?What is a Good Design?

Copyright “Design in Life, Lower Secondary”

What is What is Design?Design?

Idea ►Details ►Blueprint (Plan) ►Reality

• Understand the term function in relation to design.• Appreciate that function and form are both

important in good designs.• Understand that choosing suitable materials is

important in designing.• Appreciate that good designs are ‘kind’ to the

environment.• Understand the term ergonomic and the link

between ergonomics, function and aesthetics.

• Understand the term function in relation to design.• Appreciate that function and form are both

important in good designs.• Understand that choosing suitable materials is

important in designing.• Appreciate that good designs are ‘kind’ to the

environment.• Understand the term ergonomic and the link

between ergonomics, function and aesthetics.

• Design is about creating a product that does its job well.

• The actions or activities a product should perform are called its functions.

• The overall look or appearance of a product is called its aesthetics

• Design is also about creating a product that has a distinctive look or feel about it.

• Design is about creating products that are comfortable and safe to use.

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• Take note of how people:• hold the product• carry the product• work with the product

• wear the product• sit on the product

• Consider these points for an ergonomic design:• safety• usage• proportion

• Other considerations for designing some products:• adjustable parts• layout of information

• size• texture

• Ergonomic consideration for a product can be linked closely to the product function and aesthetics.

• Innovation is about clever ways to solve design problems.

• May use existing materials in a new way or may improve on the function of an existing product.

• Advances in technology has led to smaller products that perform more functions.

• Designs have changed over time in terms of materials used and the ways things are made to work.

• Design is about choosing suitable materials to make products.

• Different groups of materials include:• Wood• Metals• Plastics

• Ceramics• Glass• Minerals

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• Designers must be aware of the properties of different materials.

• Designers must think about the materials in terms of their appearance for different needs.

• Design is about protecting and preserving the environment.

• Some guidelines that designers adopt:

• Do not waste materials.• Use materials that have been

or can be recycled.• Use renewable materials.• Use biodegradable materials.• Design products to be energy

efficient.• Design products to use

renewable energy.• Use less harmful chemicals in

the product itself or in the manufacturing process used to make the product.

• Design is about creating a product that functions well.

• The functions of a product are the actions or activities it should perform.

• Design is about creating a product that has a distinctive look or feel.

• The overall appearance of a product is called it aesthetics.

• In designing, it is important to consider function as well as aesthetics.

• Design is about creating products that are comfortable and safe to use.

• Designing for comfort and safety is known as ergonomics.

• A successful design is usually innovative – it is an idea that is new and completely different from other ideas already in use.

• Design is about choosing suitable materials.

• Designers must be aware of the properties and the appearance of different materials so that they can choose suitable materials for their designs.

• Design is about protecting and preserving the world.

• Well-designed products are environmentally-friendly.

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AestheticsAesthetics• Understand the term ‘aesthetics‘.• Appreciate the role of lines, shapes and forms,

colours, textures and proportions in relation to design needs.

• Understand the term ‘aesthetics‘.• Appreciate the role of lines, shapes and forms,

colours, textures and proportions in relation to design needs.

• Aesthetics is about the appearance and ‘feel’ of a product.

• These qualities affect your emotions and senses.

• Aesthetic appeal is different for everyone, so it is important to understand the group of people using the product.

• Basic elements of aesthetics include:

• lines• shapes• forms• colours• textures• proportions

• Lines are a basic element of design. • Lines can indicate position, direction and other information.

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• A two-dimensional shape is formed when a line encloses an area.

• Geometrical shapes have straight lines or regular curves.

• They are often symmetrical.

• Organic shapes are shapes that we see in nature.

• They have free-flowing lines and are often non-symmetrical.

• Complex shapes can be produced by combining or modifying simple shapes.

• A three-dimensional form is a shape that has a thickness or depth.

• They have length, breadth and depth.

• Geometric forms are regular and mostly symmetrical.

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• Organic forms are forms that we see in nature.

• They have irregular, curved and flowing lines.

• Complex forms can be produced by combining or modifying simple forms.

• Many products have geometric forms because they are easier and cheaper to produce.

• Colours are important to product design because it is one of the first things that people notice about a product.

• Designers often work with specific groups of colours.

• Particular coloursare associated with particular products or situations.

• Surface patterns are called textures.

• They can enhance the look or function of a product.

• Examples of texture include:• Smooth• Rough• Bumpy with patterns or grooves

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• Size is important in design so make sure that parts of different sizes look right when they are fitted together. • ‘Aesthetics’ is a word that describes the look and feel of a

product.

• Different aesthetics appeal to different groups of people with different design needs.

• Lines, shapes, forms, colours, textures and proportions defined the aesthetics of a product.

• The types of lines in a design can indicate position, direction and sometimes other information.

• A shape is two dimensional (2-D) - it has length and height.

• Geometric shapes have straight lines or regular curves. They are often symmetrical.

• Organic shapes have free-flowing lines and are often non-symmetrical.

• A form is three dimensional (3-D) – it has length, breadth and depth.

• Geometric forms are regular and mostly symmetrical.

• Organic forms have irregular, curved and flowing outlines.

• Different colours are associated with different types of products.

• Texture can be used to add visual interest and to provide a function.

• Parts of different sizes should look right together in a product – they should have good design proportions.

• Aesthetics, ergonomics and function should be considered together when developing a design.

Social & Cultural InfluencesSocial & Cultural Influences

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• Gain awareness of societal influences on design.• Gain awareness of cultural influences on design.

• Gain awareness of societal influences on design.• Gain awareness of cultural influences on design.

• Society is made up of different groups of people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Different groups have different needs and interests.

• Common societal influences include:• friends• lifestyles• the media• consumer pressure

• Your friends probably share similar interests and will want to have the same products.

• Your choices will be influenced by your friends.

• Designers know what you and your friends like and develop designs to meet your needs.

• People have different lifestyles and design needs.

• People are influenced by media such as celebrities on television and advertisements from magazines.

• Consumer pressure affects people’s decision to buy certain products.

• More people may opt for environmentally-friendly products if there is greater public awareness.

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• Exploring different cultures can provide inspiration to designers.

• Such designs are sometimes unique and will appeal to different cultural groups.

• Common cultural influences include:• art• music and dance• costumes• food

• Art can be a big influence on design.

• Different cultures have their own unique styles of music and dance.

• Costumes represent the cultural tradition of distinct periods and places.

• Designers sometimes modify the costumes to suit the taste of the new generation.

• Dining experience varies greatly from one type of restaurant to another.

• People are more aware of the importance of good diet, thus food labels are stated clearly.

• Our choices of products are affected by societal influences.

• Different groups in our society have different interests and needs.

• Four common societal influences on design are:• friends• lifestyles• the media• consumer pressure

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• Choices of products are also affected by cultural influences.

• Each culture is unique; designers should be aware of this to help them create better products.

• Some common cultural influences are:• art• music and dance• costumes• food

• Needs – things that are wanted or required in our day-to-day lives.

• Interest – a hobby or an activity that is stimulating.

ActivityActivity

• Do product evaluation for at least 3 pictures you have collected/researched on

• Do product modification / improvement for the same set of pictures (support with reasons)

Design Evaluation/ImprovementDesign Evaluation/Improvement

Evaluating___________

Function

Aesthetics

Ergonomics

InnovationMaterial

Societal & Cultural

Environmental

Design Evaluation ChecklistDesign Evaluation Checklist• Function

– What is the product used for?– Does the product work well?

Why?• Aesthetics

– Is it pleasing to look at?• lines• shapes• forms• colours• textures• Proportions

• Ergonomics– Is it user-friendly? Why?– Is it safe to use?

• Innovation– Think of other products serving

same purpose. Compare and contrast

– Is it a clever way of doing the same job? Why?

• Material– Is the material used suitable?

Why?• Societal & Cultural

– What are some distinct influences on the design?

– Do you know the reason behind these factors?

• Environmental– What impact would the product or

the materials used have on the environment?

– Is it sustainable?