DESIGN PROCESS
CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECT (CDSP101)
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
THE DESIGN PROCESS
❑ Define the problem
❑ Research and Brainstorm
❑ Identify criteria and constraints
❑ Choose an approach / solution
❑ Design work
❑ Models / prototyping
❑ Refine design
❑ Communicate final solution
DEFINE THE PROBLEM
▪ What is the problem or need?
▪ Who has the problem or need?
▪ Why is it important to solve?
▪ [Who] need(s) [what] because [why]
Important note: Defining the problem is limited to detailing only the problem, not
preconceived solutions, methodologies, and aims. At best, a very brief background
can be provided in the context of the problem being defined.
The problem statement must be brief, concise and clear, at most two short
paragraphs.
RESEARCH & BRAINSTORM
▪ Analyze the reasons for the need / want / problem
▪ Investigate who or what it is that is affected, and consider the need, want, or
problem from their perspective
▪ Research any existing solution, and identify adequacy or inappropriateness
▪ Perform market research to determine if a want or need exists and warrants
the development of a design solution
▪ Present ideas in group
▪ Generate and record ideas
▪ Seek quantity not quality
▪ Keep the mind alert through rapid paced sessions
IDENTIFY CRITERIA AND
CONSTRAINTS
▪ Design requirements, state the important characteristics that your solution
must meet to succeed
▪ Identify the end user if it is not the client
▪ Redefine the problem to the agreement of both the client and designer
▪ Identify what the solution must do, and the degree to which it will be pursued
▪ Identify the limitations within which the engineer must perform his/her duties
▪ A good way to identify the design requirements for your solution is to analyze
an example of a similar, existing product, noting each of its key features
▪ Compile the information into a design brief
CHOOSE AN APPROACH /
SOLUTION
▪ Create a decision-matrix to compare the attributes of the various ideas and
analyze the trade-offs associated with each one
▪ Look at whether each possible solution meets your design requirements
▪ Some solutions probably meet more requirements than others
▪ Reject solutions that do not meet the requirements, systematic discrimination
▪ Verify alignment between the idea selected and the criteria and constraints
DESIGN WORK
▪ Calculations, drawings, materials and components
▪ Develop detailed and annotated sketches
▪ Perform necessary calculations
▪ Create proper technical / engineering drawings
▪ Determine the materials for the designed parts, Consider current trends (SDGs,
NDP2030, Envision2030)
▪ Select off-the-shelf components (recyclable materials)
▪ Consider manufacturing / fabrication methods
MODELS / PROTOTYPING
▪ Create computer models (FEA / CFD / motion)
▪ Make study models (scaled models or mock-ups)
▪ Fabricate a functional prototype / operating version of the solution
▪ Prototype is made with different materials than the final version, and generally
it is not as polished
▪ Prototypes are a key step in the development of a final solution, allowing the
designer to test how the solution will work
REFINE DESIGN
▪ The design process involves multiple iterations and redesigns of your solution
▪ Reassess the validity of the design criteria and make necessary adjustments
▪ Test your solution, find new problems, make changes, and test new solutions
before settling on a final design
▪ Work through the design process until the solution satisfies the design criteria
▪ Update the documentation of the final solution
COMMUNICATE FINAL
SOLUTION
▪ To complete your project, communicate your results to others (peer review)
▪ Professional engineers thoroughly document their solutions so that they can be
manufactured and supported (detailed evidence for reproduction)
▪ Present oral presentations with visual aids (computer generated slide show,
models, and prototype)
▪ Develop written reports with appropriate graphic documentation (charts,
graphs, technical drawings, renderings, etc.)
▪ Market and distribute the product
DESIGN FLOWCHART
Define the
problem
Research & Communicate
Brainstorm final solution
Choose an
approach / Refine design
solution
Identify
Models /
criteria and Design work
prototyping
constraints