DESIGNING AND MAKING
Designing and making is the process of using practical skills or ideas, compliant materials and tools to
produce or make an artefact or unit.
The Design Process
Design process is a series of steps that designers follow to come up with a solution to a problem.
The stages below shows the steps of the engineering design process.
(a) Situation (problem)
(b) Brief
(c) Analysis
(d) Investigation or research
(e) Specification
(f) Possible solution (initial ideas)
(g) Final solution
(h) Working drawing
(i) Making (construction)
(j) Testing and evaluation
DESIGN BRIEF
It is a short statement that describes what the designer intends to do
1) DEFINE THE PROBLEM
The engineering design process starts when you ask the following questions about problems that
you observe:
(a) What is the problem or need?
(b) who has the problem or need?
(c) Why is it important to solve?
(d) [Who] need(s) [what) because [why].
Writing a situation from a given design brief
Example (1)
Design and make a suitable unit to keep refuse.
Identified situation from the above brief
My class teacher complains he has nothing to keep his refuse in whenever he sweeps the room.
Example (2)
Design and make a suitable artefact to open bottles.
Situation identified: Anytime Afua buys a bottle of fanta, she opens it with teeth thereby making it
unhealthy to drink.
Example (3)
Design and onstruct a suitable object for trapping birds.
Situation for above brief
There is a beautiful flower garden in front of Akosua's home that attracts a variety of birds. Akosua is
interested in having one of the birds as her pet.
2) ANALYSIS
This is a period of examining the situation in detail by asking questions on certain factors. Examples
of factors of analysis are:
i. Materials
ii. Construction
ii. Ergonomics
iv. Cost
v. Function
vi. Safety
vii. Aesthetics (beauty)
vii. Appearance
ix. Economics
x. Environmental factors
3. INVESTIGATION OR RESEARCH
Investigation or research: it is when useful information or data is collected to solve the problem, e.g,
i. Interview
ii. Research
ii. Listening
iv. Visiting
v. Questionnaire
vi. Literature searching
vii. The media
4. SPECIFICATION
Specification: it is a detailed requirements needed to solve the problem using certain factors. Some
of the factors are:
i. Materials
ii. Construction
iii. Ergonomics
iv. Cost
v. Function
vi. Safety
vii. Aesthetics (beauty)
viii. Appearance
ix. Economic
x. Environmental factors
5. POSSIBLE SOLUTION (INITIAL IDEAS)
Possible solution (initial ideas): This is a stage where the intended unit to be
designed is sketched in freehand. At least three solutions should be sketched
with notes.
et us take à detaled look at the stages in a design process.
SITUATION
This is a statement that describes the problem or situation, e.g. Students of Nkwatia R/C Basic School
sit on the floor in the classroom during lessons. This is because they have no unit to sit on."
DESIGN BRIEF
Design brief: this is a short statement that indicates what the designer intends to do or design, e.g,
design and make a suitable unit to open bottles.
ANALYSIS
Analysis is based on certain factors to solve the problem. It must be in a
questionnaire form, e.g,
a. Ergonomics
I) Who will use the unit?
II) Where will the unit be used?
III) How old is the user?
IV) Where will the unit be placed?
b. Functions: there are two types of functions. These are
Primary function which is the main purpose of the unit
Secondary function i.e, any other purpose the unit can serve, e.g,
(a) What is the main purpose of the unit?
(b) What other purpose will the unit serve?
(c) When will the unit be used?
(d) What type of item will the unit contain?
C. Materials
i. What type of materials will be used?
ii. Will the materials be suitable?
ii. Will the materials be affordable?
iv. Will the materials be available?
d. Construction
i. Where will the unit be constructed?
ii. What type of tools will be needed?
ii. What type of special skills will be used?
iv. What special processes will be needed to make the unit?
e. Safety
i. Will the unit be safe to use?
ii. What type of safety measures will be used to design the unit?
ii. Will the unit have rough edges?
iv. Will the unit cause injuries to the user?
f. Aesthetics (beauty)
i. Will the unit be polished?
ii. What type of colour will the unit have?
ii. Will the material to be used take any finish?
iv. What type of texture will the unit have?
INVESTIGATION OR RESEARCH METHODS USED
1. Visiting
2. Listening
3. Interviews
4. Questionnaire
5. Observation
6. Internet searching
7. Using the media
EXPANSION OF INVESTIGATION METHOD
Sometimes, the information gathered during the investigation processes can
also be recorded through:
1. Graphs
i. Pie chart
ii. Bar chart
ii. Pictograms
iv. Histograms
v. Frequency polygons
2. Write-ups
3. Sketches
4. Tablets
Purpose of investigation
The purpose of investigations are:
1. Considering the element, symbols of the unit.
2. Finding out the uses of the unit.
3. Deciding on the anthopometric data of the unit; i.e. shape and size.
4. Considering the resistance materials and type of tool used.
5. Considering the suitability, affordability and availability of the material needed.
6. Considering the processes involved in making the unit.
7. Considering the aesthetics.
SPECIFICATION
Specification: this must be detailed and also have a vivid description of the problem to be solved.
Certain factors or constraints are used, e.g.,
1. Materials
i. Mild steel bar should be used to design the unit
ii. The material should be available on the market
ii. The material should be painted to make it attractive
2. Function
i. The unit will be used to open a bottle
i. The unit could also be used to hold keys
3. Construction
i. The unit will be made in a metal workshop
ii. Special tools like hacksaw and a file could be used
4. Ergonomics
i. Akosua will use the unit
ii. The unit will be used at home
ii. Akosua is sixteen (16) years old
5. Safety
I) The edges should be filed to prevent injuries
II) The unit will be safe to use
6. Finish
I) Oil paint should be used to finish the unit to prevent rusting
II) The unit must have a slot to be able to be hanged
7. Cost
i The unit will be expensive
ii. The unit will cost GHC50.00
8. Appearance
i. The unit will be circular in shape
i. The unit should have a slot (hole) at the end
