Three Common Characteristics of Design Processes
Design is used in a lot of contexts. A design is, however, more than just a mere plan or specifications for the design of an object, system or procedure, or even for the successful implementation of such a plan or specifications in the form of a physical prototype, machine or product. The word ‘design’ is typically used in conjunction with art, especially in the context of architecture. A designer (a.k.a. architect) can be said to be responsible for ‘establishing the basic structure of any object’, including ‘placing the basic structure of any visible or invisible object in a given location.’
The designing process also has a deeper meaning. The term simply refers to the critical process involved in producing an output, which can help us determine how we can improve or change something. The term can also mean producing or forming an idea or principle, and/or identifying one’s goals or objectives. In a broader sense, however, the term also refers to the ability to design something, which can then be put into use.
Designing can mean different things to different people. In business, it often refers to problem-solving and the creation of designs or prototypes to solve problems. In art, it means coming up with original works of art or other original works. In engineering, it can mean creating new knowledge by applying scientific principles into certain existing designs. In education, it means determining how to teach effectively, coming up with pedagogical methods, designing content, determining teaching tools, and organizing students around learning activities.
In this article, we will focus on the first meaning of ‘design’. In the broad scope of the topic, ‘design’ can refer to anything from the technical aspects of production, to conceptual designs for products and processes, to the product itself (such as a physical object), to the way in which information is shared within an organization, to the design process itself. Within any of these areas, there can be considerable variation, depending upon the culture of the company at hand, as well as the overall goals of the company. Often, however, there are common points of similarity. This article therefore provides an overview of the most common characteristics of the design process within these three different areas: engineering design, information design, and product design.
The objective of the design process includes coming up with a conceptual model, which is then used to investigate the various constraints and variables that must be addressed in order to make the final product. It is only through this process that the engineer or designer is able to define the target market, identify competitors, and come up with a realistic cost-outbreak scenario for the business. In business, this same process is often applied during the conceptualization phase of the design process. This is when an idea or concept is formed, and the business managers and/or designers begin to explore various design disciplines and methods to get the job done. In essence, it is the skeleton on which the different disciplines of design work on, in order to bring the project up to par.
Within this skeleton, however, are the various methods and procedures that will be necessary to bring the skeleton into life, such as resource planning, testing, and feedback. Once the product design goals have been defined, the methods and techniques that were used during the testing phase must be duplicated to ensure that the anticipated results were attained. And finally, once the system has been tested and found to meet the design goals, the next logical step is to implement it into the actual production line. By following this process, a designer can ensure that the design solutions developed are effective, accurate, and economical.