XXEN 146 Principles of Design
Fall 2003
Due: 1:00 PM, December 4, 2003
(to Project Advisor)
The first semester “prototype” or “key deliverable” is the culmination of your team’s effort in the concept development phase of product design. This deliverable is used to communicate the concept that your team has developed for the various “critical subproblems” that the team has identified and addressed. It should be used as a “prop” in your oral presentation to communicate both the form and function of your proposed solution. It represents the best realization of your concept (within the limited time available in the first semester) and provides your customer(s) a clear indication of what will be more fully realized in the second semester.
The majority of the projects involve the design of something physical. For these projects, concept form and function are best communicated using a physical realization of the concept(s) developed. In some cases it may not be possible or practical to fabricate a physical realization of the developed concept(s). In these cases, a computer simulation or sophisticated analytical model may suffice. Remember, however, that the objective for this “prototype/key deliverable” is to effectively communicate the promise that the proposed concept shows in satisfying the needs of the customers.
For projects that do not involve the design of something physical (e.g., software), the function of the concept must be communicated. The most effective means of accomplishing this will depend on the type of project and should be carefully selected by the team. Ideally, for software projects, a rapid prototype, a specification document, and a design document should each be submitted as part of this deliverable. Once again, remember that the objective for this deliverable is to effectively communicate the promise that the proposed concept shows in satisfying the needs of the customers.