Schedules and presentations
Schedules
To make sure a project runs smoothly and on time, a design scheduleA plan for completing a project that includes actions to do and deadlines to meet. is sometimes put in place to estimate the time taken for particular actions to be completed. It is based on information that has been provided by designers who have analysed a product’s design briefA set of instructions given to a designer by a client. and the requirements needed to design and make the product. The schedule is defined after a project has been approved and includes details to support the completion of the project.
Design schedules can utilise spreadsheets and Gantt chartA table that illustrates a project schedule. to display information in a visual way. This will allow the designer to see the different aspects of the project together and meet contrasting deadlines.
Presentations
formal drawingA drawing using techniques such as third or first angle with dimensions. are working documentA document continually in progress and able to be updated as and when aspects change. and need to be presented in such a way that anyone can read them.
Portfolio
Displaying work in a portfolioA collection of your work, completed over the duration of your studies. is a good way to present ideas together. A portfolio is a collection of design ideas and sketches intended to showcase a product. Images and sketches can be surface mounted (fixed directly to another piece of paper or card) to make them more durable and easier to handle.
Photographs
Taking photographs to record every step of development and collecting evidence helps keep track of each stage of research. Photographs can be used to record information such as site surveys, anthropometric dataThe measurements of size and proportion of the human body. and ergonomicsThe science of designing the product to fit the user, or the job to fit the worker., as well as being a reference point between the designer and the client.
Audio and video
audioRelating to sound that is recorded or broadcast. and video recordings can help when gathering evidence and information to help make design decisions and present designs to others.
Video evidence can be used to help remember client or user groupA group of people who are the target market of a product and test a product before manufacturing. interviews. They can also be used to film user trialTesting a product with a group of customers before taking it to the market., where slow-motion replays or time lapseA jump from one point in time to another. It is a way of showing time passing. can be shown to identify very specific moments, such as breaking points or areas of wearWhere an item is damaged by a rubbing motion..
Audio recordings of clientIn business, a client is a person or organisation that wants a product manufactured, eg a retailer. interviews and user feedbackOpinions about a product from the group using it. can be a less invasive way of gathering information than video. Recordings can be listened to repeatedly to analyseTo examine in detail. information, and recording equipment is easily available on smartphoneA mobile phone with a powerful processor that is capable of running applications and accessing the internet. .
The permission of the client or user should always be given before recordings of any of the above methods are made.
