design strategies

• Iterative design


  Cyclical approach where each iteration of the design is tested and evaluated, leading to changes and refinements
• Iterative design


  • Dyson vacuum cleaners were developed through thousands of prototypes
• Advantages of iterative design

  • Problems with the design are more likely to be discovered and dealt with earlier
  • Encourages focus on the most critical aspects of a product's design
  • User feedback is constantly being gathered
  • Evidence of progress in product design can be easily provided to stakeholders
• Disadvantages of iterative design


  • Designers can become too focused on the current iteration and lose sight of the bigger design picture
  • It can be time consuming if a lot of prototypes or iterations need to be produced
• User-centred design


  An approach where the needs and wants of the end user are considered extensively at each stage of the design process
• Advantages of user-centred design

  • The end user feels listened to and has a greater sense of ownership of the final product
  • It is more likely that the final product will meet users' expectations
• Disadvantages of user-centred design

  • It requires extra time to meet and hold discussions with users and then alter the design as a result of user feedback
  • The design becomes too focused on a particular end user's requirements, making it unviable to sell to the wider public
• Systems thinking approach


  A top-down approach that starts with an overview of the overall system in terms of its input, process and output sub-systems, before considering the details of the individual components
• Advantages of a systems approach

  • It does not require highly specialist knowledge of electronic or mechanical components to design the overview of the system
  • The top-down approach makes it easy to communicate how the system will work to non-technical specialists
  • The system is designed in blocks, so it is easier to find errors or faults in the design
• Disadvantages of a systems approach

  • The block-based design approach can lead to the use of unnecessary components
  • The use of unnecessary components can lead to larger systems and extra cost
• Design strategies are philosophies that guide how the design process takes place
• Three of the most widely used design strategies are iterative design, user-centred design and systems thinking
• Design strategies are important to avoid design fixation, which is when designers become overly attached to a particular idea
• It is also important for specialists in different material areas to collaborate and share their expertise
• Each different approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered before they are put into practice
• Iterative design


  A circular design process where the design is constantly evaluated and improved based on feedback
• Iterative design


  • Dyson hoover - thousands of prototypes made with constant user feedback
• Advantages of iterative design

  • Constant user feedback
  • Focus on weak points of the design
• Disadvantages of iterative design

  • Designer can become fixated on the design
  • Time consuming
• User-centred design


  A design approach where the needs and wants of the end user are constantly considered
• Advantages of user-centred design

  • User has a sense of ownership over the product
  • Product meets user's expectations
• Disadvantages of user-centred design

  • Design becomes too focused on a particular user and may not be viable for the wider public
  • Time consuming
• Systems thinking approach


  An approach often used when designing electronic, mechanical and mechatronic systems, requiring research, analysis and a design specification
• Advantages of systems thinking approach

  • Does not require highly specialist knowledge to design the overview of the system
  • Makes it easy to communicate how the system will work to non-technical specialists
  • Easier to find errors or flaws in the design
• Disadvantages of systems thinking approach

  • Can lead to the use of unnecessary components
  • Unnecessary components can lead to larger systems and extra cost