DESIGN PROCESS

The word “design” is often used as a generic term that refers to anything that was made by
a conscious human effort. Design is also a process that is used to systematically solve problems.
The Design Process is an approach for breaking down a large project into manageable
chunks. Architects, engineers, scientists, and other thinkers use the design process to solve a variety
of problems. Use this process to define the steps needed to tackle each project, and remember to
hold to all of your ideas and sketches throughout the process.
The Design Process is an approach for inventive problem solving. It involves breaking
down complex projects into manageable steps. Architects, engineers, scientists and other thinkers
use the design process to harness human creativity and facilitate collaboration so that innovative
solutions can be applied to real world challenges.

THE DESIGN PROCESS CONSISTS OF 6 STEPS:

1. Define the Problem

 You can’t find a solution until you have a clear idea of what the problem is.
 Sets and prioritizes goals that reflect a self-awareness of one’s capabilities, interest,
emotions, and/or needs. Defines problems by considering all potential parts and related
causes.
 Once you have found an idea for your project, describe the problem by writing a problem
statement. Your problem statement must answer three questions:
What is the problem or need?
Who has the problem or need?
Why is it important to solve?
 You need to begin the solution to a design problem with a clear, unambiguous definition of
the problem.
 Creating a clear definition of a design problem is more difficult than, defining an analysis
problem. The definition of a design problem may evolve through a series of steps or
processes as you develop a more complete understanding of the problem.

2. Collect Information
 Before you can go further in the design process, you need to collect all the information
available that relates to the problem.
 Collect sketches, take photographs and gather data to start giving you inspiration.
  Gathers and organizes relevant information about a problem from multiple sources.
 Gather data to start giving you inspiration. Who is this design for? How have other designs
addressed similar problems?

3. Brainstorm and Analyze Ideas

 Begin to sketch, make, and study so you can start to understand how all the data and
information you’ve collected may impact your design.
 Applies existing/newly acquired knowledge, skills, and/or strategies that one determines to be
useful for achieving goals.
 Encourages the ideas, opinions, and contributions of others, leveraging individual strengths.
 Use the data and information you’ve collected to sketch ideas that might solve the design
problem.

4. Develop Solutions / Build A Model

 Take your preliminary ideas and form multiple small-scale design solutions.
 Breaks goals into actionable steps.
 Applies existing/newly acquired knowledge, skills, and/or strategies that one determines to
be useful for achieving goals.
 What materials are needed to make and prototype small-scale design solutions.

5. Present your ideas to others

 Present your ideas to as many people as possible: friends, teachers, professionals, and any
others you trust to give insightful comments.
 Seeks input to gauge others’ understanding of the message.
 Asks questions to deepen and/or clarify one’s understanding when listening to others.
 Provides feedback in a manner that is sensitive to others’ situation/feelings.

6. Improve / Make ideas better

 Reflect on all of your feedback and decide if or to what extent it should be incorporated. It
is often helpful to take solutions back through the Design Process to refine and clarify
them.
 Identifies alternative ideas/processes that are more effective than the ones previously
used/suggested. Applies existing/newly acquired knowledge, skills, and/or strategies that
one determines to be useful for achieving goals.