Design Notebook Exercise 3
Now that your design problem has been clearly defined, it is time
to start thinking of solutions. Begin by generating ideas on your own
(you may have already done this while you were doing research into the
problem definition). Try to think of as many different ways as
possible to solve the problem. Be sure that you do not focus on a
single approach. Use sketches and notes in your design notebook to
record your ideas. Be sure to use large, well-labeled sketches so
that others will be able to understand them. Some ideas will be at
the system level and others at a more detailed level, keep track of
them all.
It may be useful to consider ideas in three categories: scaled
designs, evolutionary designs and revolutionary designs. A scaled
design is when there is an existing design which does the job well,
and it just needs to be scaled for your application. An evolutionary
design is when an existing design is pretty good, but fundamental
improvements can be made. A revolutionary design is when a totally
new approach is used to achieve the same function as an existing
design, but with better performance. All three approaches can have
successful results, in fact your final design will probably be a
combinations of all of them.
Try to have at least ten ideas for your project (they may be for
the overall system or for sub-systems). Use these ideas to initiate a
group brainstorming session, being sure to record all the ideas which
come up. Continue generating ideas after the group session and come
up with about ten more ideas before the next class session.
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