Unit 3: Modeling

• Conceptual model


  Originates in the mind and its primary purpose is to outline the principles, processes and basic functions of a design or system
• Role of conceptual modelling in design


  • Helps designers know and understand ideas
  • Useful for communicating new ideas that are unfamiliar to people
• Conceptual models


  • Range from concrete mental images to abstract mathematical models
  • Can represent a single model, whole classes of things, or vast domains of subject matter
  • Used to help know and understand, design thinking, ideas, casual relationships, principles, data, systems, algorithms or processes
• Conceptual modelling tools and skills


  • Graphical Modelling (Sketches, Drawings, Flow charts)
  • Physical Modelling (Card, Clay, Rapid prototype, Balsa wood, Blue styrofoam)
  • Virtual Modelling: Computer-Aided Design (CAD Surface or Solid modelling, FEA, Data modeling)
• Service design


  The activity of planning and organizing people, infrastructure, communication and material components of a service in order to improve its quality and the interaction between service provider and customers
• How conceptual models are used to communicate


  • Used to communicate ideas that might be difficult to imagine otherwise
  • Designers use conceptual modelling to visualise and communicate ideas by simulating what they want to design
• Advantages of using conceptual modelling


  • Shares 'Big Picture'
  • Makes it easy for non-designers and non-technical people to understand a complex idea
  • Communication with clients and users
  • Gauge people's reaction to concept or idea
• Disadvantages of using conceptual modelling


  • Lacks detail
  • Can be misinterpreted
  • Scale models can be misleading when the product is smaller or larger
  • Materials may not reflect the final choice of materials- difficult to emulate
• Graphical model


  A 2D and 3D graphical models/visualization of an idea, often created on paper or through software
• What graphical models are used for


  • Perspective drawings (to show what a product will look like when finished in a more lifelike way)
  • Isometric drawings (used to accurately show what a product will look like when it is finished)
  • Orthographic Projection (a way of drawing an 3D object from different directions)
  • Scale drawings (all drawing techniques that show an object in proportion to its actual size)

  
• Sketching vs formal drawing techniques


  Sketching: Spontaneous and free hand representation used very early in the design process

  Formal drawings: Ruled out and accurate drawings used in the development phase of a design process

  
• Part drawings


  Provides the information to assemble a product, with a list of parts or Bill of Materials
• Assembly drawings


  Shows how parts of a product fit together, can be fitted assembly or exploded isometric
• Algorithm


  A self-contained step-by-step set of operations to be performed
• Physical model


  A three-dimensional, tangible representation of a design or system
• Purpose of physical modelling


  • To test aspects of a product against user requirements
  • Thorough testing at the design development stage ensures that an appropriate product is developed
• Scale models


  A smaller or larger physical copy of an object that allows visualization of information about what the model represents
• Advantages of scale models


  • The model can be overviewed easily, especially if the original design is exceptionally large
  • Gives an idea of how large the model will be when it is actually produced/built
• Disadvantages of scale models


  • Can be time consuming to create a perfectly scale model
  • Apart from providing the user with visual information about the product, it is hard to manipulate it to show how it works
• Scale model


  A smaller or larger physical copy of an object
• Scale models


  • Allow visualization, from examining the model, of information about what the model represents
  • A scale is usually represented e.g. 1:100
• Scale models


  • In architecture, a full-size building is modelled at a greatly reduced scale
• Aesthetic models


  Developed to look and feel like the final product, used for ergonomic testing and evaluating visual appeal
• Aesthetic models look like but do not work like the final product
• Aesthetic models can be relatively simple, consisting of solid chunks of foam finished and painted to look like the real thing, or they can be more sophisticated, simulating weight, balance and material properties
• Aesthetic models are "for show" and are not designed to be handled excessively
• Mock-ups


  Scale or full-size representation of a product used to gain feedback from users
• A mock-up can be considered a prototype if it includes some functionality
• Functional prototype


  A sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as an object to be replicated or learned from
• A prototype is used to test and validate ideas and can be used throughout design development
• Prototyping can be used to provide specifications for a real, working product rather than a theoretical one
• Prototypes are developed to work from two perspectives: the point of view of the development team, which can learn by creating the product, and the point of view of the user, from whom the development team can learn through user interaction and feedback
• Fidelity


  A measure of the realism of a model or simulation
• Range of fidelity


  • Low fidelity—conceptual representation analogous to the idea
  • Medium fidelity—representation of aspects of the idea
  • High fidelity—mock-up of the idea, as close as possible to the final product
• Range of contexts


  • Restricted—in a controlled environment
  • General—any user, any environment
  • Partial—final user or environment
  • Total—final user and environment
• A combination of fidelity and context provides validation of an idea and/or further insight for development
• Instrumented physical models


  Equipped with the ability to take measurements to provide accurate quantitative feedback for analysis
• Computer-aided design (CAD)


  The generation, creation, development and analysis of a design or system using computer software
• CAD is used for conceptual design and layout of product and can ultimately eliminate the high costs of testing and manufacturing
• CAD is used in fashion, construction, automotive, architecture and for planning electrical or mechanical layout