One-off Manufacturing

Suitable in contexts where a client requires a unique product

Low-Volume Production

When a small number of products are made identically, usually for niche or uncertain markets

High-Volume Production

Fast automated production of thousands or millions of identical items

Continuous Production

Occurs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Suitable where there is a great need for products

Lean Management

Aims to improve the manufacturing process, reduce costs, and reduce waste

Lean Manufacturing Methods

1. Catering to actual demand 2. Using low-volume production 3. Being efficient and organised 4. Cell production

Flexible and Responsive Manufacturing

When manufacturers are flexible enough to change the production process without major complications

Sustainability Frameworks

- Social - Economics - Environmental

Social

Refers to how people are affected

Economics

About the need to make a profit but not with unfair or predatory business practices

Environmental

Considers how animals and plant life are affected

Sustainability Strategies

- 6R's - Circular Economy - C2C - Design for Disassembly - Extended Producer Responsibility - Life cycle analysis - Triple Bottom Line

6R's

- Rethink - Refuse - Reduce - Reuse - Recycle - Repair

Circular Economy

Concept that reimagines the traditional linear model of "Take, Make, Dispose" -Preserve Nature - Reduce Waste and Pollution - Circulate Products

Cradle-to-Cradle

A recycling plan for when a product reaches the end of its life and aims to reuse the materials

Design for Disassembly

Focuses on easy and non-destructive dismantling at the end of a products life

Extended Producer Responsibility

When the people involved with the product have a shared responsibility over the environmental impact. They select materials that can be reused/ recycled or safe instructions for disposal

Lifecycle Analysis/Assessment

Carefully looking at the impact a product has over the course of its life 1. Obtaining Raw Material 2. Processing it 3. Manufacturing Products 4. Transport and Distribution 5. Product Use 6. Product Disposal

Triple Bottom Line

- People - Planet - Profit

People

Focuses on the social impact of products and considers how it affects individuals and communities

Planet

Involves using sustainable materials, reducing energy consumption, and adopting eco-friendly manufacturing processes

Profit

It recognises that financial success should not come at the expense of people and the planet

Planned Obsolescence (PO)

When a product is designed to be unusable after a period - Functional Obsolescence - Technical Obsolescence - Style Obsolescence

Functional Obsolescence

When a low-quality process is used deliberately so that the product breaks down quickly

Technical Obsolescence

When new technologies become present and surpass the technology of an existing product

Style Obsolescence

When there is a changing nature of trends and the product is no longer used

Benefits of (PO)

-Customers can access cheap and easy to replace products - Producers experience an economic benefit

Issues of (PO)

- Products don't last long - Some products are made so they can't be prepared

Technologies

- AI - Automation - Computer Aided Design - Computer Aided Manufacturing - Computer Numerical Control - Laser Technology - 3D Prototyping - Robotics

AI

Capable of doing an inhuman amount of work rapidly

Automation

Reduces human errors and increases the overall efficiency

CAD

Uses technology to create designs

CAM

Uses digital information from CAD designs and transfers it to manufacturing systems

CNC

Uses computing programming to automate and precisely control the movement of machine tools

Laser Technology

Laser technology uses monochromatic light, it can cut materials easily and is safer than alternative cutting methods that have been used in the past

3D Prototyping

When a program can construct a 3D prototype quickly and efficiently

Robotics

Can perform tasks accurately and with high levels of precision

Mycelium

The root like structure of fungi, can be used to mimic wood, leather and foam, providing a sustainable alternative

Composite Metals

Involves combining two or more different metals, or combining a metal with another material like polymer or ceramic

Bamboo

A rapidly renewable resource and has remarkable strength and durability

Double Diamond

- Investigating and Defining - Generating and Designing, Producing and Implementing

Divergent Thinking (First Diamond)

Get a wider perspective and uncover new opportunities that we wouldn't otherwise consider with a linear approach

Convergent Thinking (First Diamond)

Start to narrow and refine ideas, crucial for framing the design need/opportunity

Design Brief

A written statement outlining the context of a design problem and its requirements, and the constraints and considerations

Design Brief Essentials

1. Functional and aesthetic factors 2. Material requirements 3. Quality standards 4. Due date 5. Budget 6. Any other relevant product design factors

Constraint

an aspect of the design that are absolute and can't be changed

Consideration

Things to be thought about but not necessarily included

Evaluation Criteria

Provide a way to assess how well the requirements from the design brief have been met

Drawing Systems

- Visualizations - Design Options - Working Drawings

Visualizations

Concept sketches or drawings that are possible design solutions to your problem

Design Options

These drawings must be professionally done and have meaningful annotations relating to the design brief

Working Drawings

Like blueprints to the product, they have all the individual specifications that are required

Design Elements

- Shape - Texture - Tone - Colour - Opacity - Line - Form

Design Principles

- Balance - Repetition - Movement - Rhythm - Proportion - Symmetry - Positive/negative space - Contrast

Market Research Methods

- Quantitative - Qualitative

Quantitative

Focuses on numerical responses

Qualitative

Focuses on descriptive information

Primary Sources

When a designer conducts the research themselves

Secondary Sources

Come from researching information that has already been published by others

Design Thinking

Used to make improvements on existing products and/or make new and innovative products

Creative Thinking

Involves using mind maps and brainstorming to explore ideas

Critical Thinking

Focuses on selecting the best idea through a range of criteria

Ethical Research Methods

- Interviews and surveys - Observation - Ask for feedback on products - Evaluate anthropometric data

Research and Development

Scientific and technical research that explores and improves materials, manufacturing systems and mechanisms

Risk Management

When hazards are identified and the possible harm they could inflict, and the likelihood of that occurring

Production Plan

A document with detailed steps that need to be taken to construct the final product

Quality

Means how well a product meets the needs, wants, and functions of the end user, factors that contribute - Materials - Design - Aesthetics - Finishes - Construction

Speculative Design Thinking

A creative approach that encourages us to envision potential futures and explore alternative realities through design