design Thinking in civil engineering students

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1. MODULE - 2 PROCESS OF PRODUCT DESIGN

2. Introduction to Product Design Product design is the process of creating a new product to be sold by a business to its customers. It involves an understanding of user needs, creating concepts, developing prototypes, testing them, and finally manufacturing the product. Engineering product design, in particular, focuses on the technical and functional aspects of the product while maintaining a balance between aesthetics, usability, and manufacturing feasibility. The goal of engineering product design is to create products that solve real-world problems, are user-friendly, and can be produced cost-effectively.

3. In recent years, methodologies like Design Thinking have revolutionized the way engineers and designers approach product design. Design Thinking focuses on the user-centric development of products, ensuring that the end-user's needs, challenges, and experiences are central to the design process. Let’s look deeper into the process of product design , Design Thinking , and other stages that shape product development into a tangible and functional product.

4. WHY PRODUCT DESIGN CONCEPT IS USED ? Product maximization in long run Upgrade desired product quality Reduce development time and cost to minimum Ensure productivity or manufacturability

5. Process of Engineering Product Design Engineering Product Design follows a systematic process, generally categorized into several steps that ensure the product is both innovative and functional while meeting market demands.

6. Primary stages of the Engineering Product Design process 1. Problem Identification The first and most crucial step in engineering product design is identifying the problem that needs to be solved. This may come from market research, feedback from existing products, or an identified gap in the market. Engineers must understand the specific needs and challenges of users before proposing a solution. 2. Research and Ideation Once the problem is identified, designers conduct in-depth research to understand existing solutions, technological limitations, and user preferences. This phase involves analyzing competitor products, material studies, and ergonomic factors. It’s essential to gather insights on the product’s potential impact, both technically and commercially.

7. Primary stages of the Engineering Product Design process 3. Concept Development In this phase, multiple ideas or concepts are brainstormed to address the identified problem. This phase often involves sketching, CAD modeling, and rapid prototyping to visualize different solutions. The goal is to explore a wide range of ideas before selecting the most promising one. 4. Preliminary Design & Analysis After selecting a concept, the next step is to create detailed technical drawings and specifications. At this stage, engineers also conduct a preliminary analysis to ensure that the design is feasible from both a manufacturing and performance standpoint. This includes basic stress analysis, material selection, and cost estimation.

8. Primary stages of the Engineering Product Design process 5. Prototyping Prototyping is an essential part of engineering design. It allows designers to create a tangible model or digital simulation of the product to test various aspects such as functionality, usability, and ergonomics. Prototypes range from rough models (low-fidelity) to highly functional versions (high-fidelity), depending on the purpose of the prototype. 6. Testing and Refinement Once the prototype is developed, it undergoes testing to evaluate its performance under various conditions. This includes stress testing, usability testing, and performance evaluations. The data gathered from these tests helps refine the design. This stage may involve multiple iterations, where each prototype is improved based on feedback.

9. Primary stages of the Engineering Product Design process 7. Final Design After refining the design, a final version is created, complete with all necessary technical drawings and specifications. This stage focuses on ensuring the design is optimized for manufacturing, considering factors like material selection, assembly processes, and cost efficiency. 8. Manufacturing and Market Launch Once the final design is approved, it moves into production. Engineers work closely with manufacturers to ensure that the product can be produced efficiently and at scale. After manufacturing, the product is launched into the market, followed by continuous monitoring and improvement based on user feedback.

10. Design Thinking Approach The Design Thinking approach is a problem-solving framework emphasizing empathy, creativity, and iteration to develop innovative solutions. It’s instrumental in product design, where understanding the end user’s needs and challenges is crucial. Design Thinking involves five stages: Empathize - Techniques like interviews, surveys, and user shadowing are commonly used Define - It ensures that the focus remains on solving a real issue rather than just creating a product for the sake of it. Ideate - his stage is often collaborative, involving cross-functional teams to bring diverse perspectives to the table. Prototype - ototyping involves building scaled-down models or versions of the product concept to explore its functionality. Test - Testing involves sharing the prototypes with users and gathering feedback to refine the design.

11. Stages of Product Design

12. Examples of Best Product Designs and Their Functions 1. iPhone The iPhone is often hailed as one of the most successful product designs in history. Combining aesthetic appeal with cutting-edge technology, it revolutionized the smartphone industry. Its sleek design, intuitive interface, and multifunctionality made it an instant hit. 2. Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Dyson's vacuum cleaner is an iconic example of engineering product design that solves a real-world problem. With its bagless technology and powerful suction, Dyson revolutionized the cleaning industry. 3. Tesla Model S The Tesla Model S is a prime example of innovation in the automotive industry. Its electric powertrain, coupled with high performance, long-range, and sustainable design, made it one of the best-designed cars of the 21st century. 4. Eames Chair The Eames Chair is a classic design that combines ergonomic comfort with aesthetic appeal. Designed in the mid-20th century, it remains one of the most iconic pieces of furniture today.

13. Assignment Engineering Product Design For an assignment in engineering product design, students or professionals are often tasked with designing a product that addresses a specific problem. This could involve: Identifying a problem : Recognizing a real-world issue that needs to be addressed. Concept development : Brainstorming potential solutions and selecting the most viable concept. Prototyping : Building a model of the proposed solution. Testing : Evaluating the prototype under real-world conditions to identify potential improvements. An example assignment might be to design a water filtration device for rural areas. The process would involve researching materials, designing a cost-effective solution, prototyping the device, and testing its filtration efficiency.

14. Prototyping Prototyping is the process of building a preliminary version of a product to test its design, functionality, and usability. Prototyping can be divided into various categories, such as: Low-fidelity prototypes : Basic models made from simple materials like cardboard, paper, or foam, used to test initial ideas. High-fidelity prototypes : Detailed models that closely resemble the final product. These may be functional prototypes created using 3D printing or CNC machining.

15. Testing Testing is a critical phase where prototypes are evaluated under different conditions to assess their performance, durability, and usability. Testing can be broken down into several categories: Stress Testing : To determine how the product performs under extreme conditions (e.g., weight, heat, pressure). Usability Testing : To ensure the product is easy and intuitive to use.

16. Factors affecting product design