The design process or also known as the design cycle is a procedure that typically starts with trying to solve a problem or create a new process. When trying to solve the problem there are many ways to go about it with multiple different stages of the design and production process that results in the final product. These stages being:
1) Investigating and Defining:
This first step involves the process of exploring and critiquing opportunities and information in order for a critical reflection of the intention at hand. It is here that the purpose of a design of the technologies is discovered and design briefs are developed. A reflection of implications of the product within society and the global environment is encouraged in this first step. (ACARA, 2020)
2) Generating and Designing:
This next step incorporates the communication and development of a range of ideas to present to a particular audience. It is here that the design process must make decisions of change, accept alternative changes that may have not been accepted. Thinking strategies are then used to evaluate and generate ideas to meet needs in the design brief. (ACARA, 2020)
3) Producing and Implementing:
This is the process of physically constructing the product through the use of skills and technologies. All the materials, technologies and characteristics are used to ensure suitability and success for the use of the final product. (ACARA, 2020)
4) Evaluating:
Once the previous step is complete, the success, effectiveness and overall quality of the design product are evaluated. Reviewing and evaluating the positives and negatives. (ACARA, 2020)
5) Collaborating and Managing:
It is here that the overall use of communication skills is enhanced as well as the importance of effective collaborating skills/ team work. Different roles and responsibilities assigned to individuals are highlighted. (ACARA, 2020)
Following these steps of the design process puts simply that there is no direct path from an idea straight to the final product or an instant solution to a problem. There are multiple different ways of reaching the final product destination with extensive reviewing and modelling. Looking at the design process from and educational point of view, it is something that should be incorporated into the curriculum to promote critical thinking and perseverance. Teaching children that when something doesn’t work the first time to stick with it, make small changes, evaluate why it didn’t work the first time and use it as experience. Educators themselves can also incorporate the design process into their everyday life when plaining the day’s activities for their class. Allowing for the best and most effective lesson plan possible.
A great example of the design process is social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. When these platforms first came out over a decade ago, they were completely different to what they are today. This is because the social media companies over the years have followed the design process to consistently change and improve their product in order to keep up and stay relevant with the rapidly advancing technological world.
Therefore, the final product is not more important than the design and production process because without it the design process there would not be a successful final product.
ACARA (2020) The Australian Curriculum: Design and Technologies (F–10). Retrieved from: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/technologies/design-and-technologies/structure/
Discover Design (2019) "WHAT IS THE DESIGN PROCESS? WHY IS IT HELPFUL?" Retrieved at https://discoverdesign.org/handbook
Toni, Falusi. Australian Catholic University. (2020). COMM140: DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES. "WEEK 2 LECTURE". Retrieved from https://leo.acu.edu.au/pluginfile.php/4247636/mod_resource/content/1/COMM140_ACTW3.pdf
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