GCSE COURSEWORK

HOW TO LAYOUT AND

WHAT TO WRITE
OBJECTIVE 1
 Task Analysis
List all the places you
List all the people
might visit to find
you might need to
information. eg shops,
talk to. People who
library ect.. JOBS I NEED TO DO
might help you.

A list of tasks you are

PEOPLE PLACES going to do to help you
investigate and design your
product.
FIRST THOUGHTS

PROCESSES PRODUCTS

List all the materials List similar products

and processes you you may need to
might need to look at.
investigate.
 Task Analysis – questionnaire

This is your first questionnaire. It is all about, finding out about

your USER and TARGET MARKET.

•In this questionnaire you are finding out who your user is. You
will need to ask questions like:
•How old are you?
•What do you do for a living?
•What are you hobbies?
 Task Analysis – questionnaire

Explain how you conducted the

questionnaire. How? Who? And
Why? You asked these people.
Copy of your Questionnaire
 Task Analysis – questionnaire results

Graphs and bar charts with results.

Notes on each graph or chart explaining results.

SUMMARY

Summary and conclusion of results

Explain what you learnt from the questionnaire and how it helped you.
 Design Brief
DESIGN BRIEF THE MARKET NEED I AM DESIGNING FOR AND USER

Give a detailed description of

the user/users. Eg. Joe Bloggs
What you intend to make is about 14-15 years old and
and why? likes films….

Explain what it will possibly be The target market you are going
made of and used for. sell your product to?
What shops would sell it?

SITUATION

Explain the situation you

are designing the product for.
PICTURE SHOWING MARKET
Produce a detailed description AND SITUATION
of the need for your design in
this situation.
OBJECTIVE 2
 Research 01 – questionnaire

This is your second questionnaire it is all about the

product. You need to know what your user needs and any special
requirements for your product.

In this questionnaire you are finding out what your user wants.
You will need to ask questions like:
•Where would you like the product to go?
•How much space do you have for the product?
•What are you going to store in the product?
 Research 01 – questionnaire

Explain how you conducted the

questionnaire. How? Who? And
Why? You asked these people.
Copy of your Questionnaire
 Research 02 – questionnaire results

Graphs and bar charts with results.

Notes on each graph or chart explaining results.

SUMMARY

Summary and conclusion of results

Explain what you learnt from the questionnaire and how it helped you.

Illustrations
Photo or drawing
of similar product
Detailed description of contents
Describe what the product
looks like, does, cost, sizes, ect..
Research 03 – product analysis
Target Market
What is the target market?
Who the user might be?
Ergonomics
Has the product been
designed to make it safer,
easier and more efficient to
use, how? How easy is it to
lift, carry and assemble?
Aesthetics
What is the style like? How
does it look? What colours
and textures does it use?
Instructions
Are there any assembling
instructions? Are they easy
to use?
Materials
What materials have been
used and why? Identify and
list characteristics of
materials of each component.
Packaging
Describe the packaging.
Why was it packed this
way?
Manufacturing methods
How was it made? Can you
identify the process which
was used for each
component?

Illustrations
Photo or drawing
of similar product
Detailed description of contents
Describe what the product
looks like, does, cost, sizes, ect..
Research 04 – product analysis
Target Market
What is the target market?
Who the user might be?
Ergonomics
Has the product been
designed to make it safer,
easier and more efficient to
use, how? How easy is it to
lift, carry and assemble?
Aesthetics
What is the style like? How
does it look? What colors
and textures does it use?
Instructions
Are there any assembling
instructions? Are they easy
to use?
Materials
What materials have been
used and why? Identify and
list characteristics of
materials of each component.
Packaging
Describe the packaging.
Why was it packed this
way?
Manufacturing methods
How was it made? Can you
identify the process which
was used for each
component?
 Research 05 – ergonomics
Human Factors

Most products are designed for humans therefore you will need to consider Human Factors. If
you are designing entirely for animals then a similar investigation might be needed although you
may find information harder to come by.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of efficiency of people in their working environment

and often deals with the application of anthropometric data.

•Ergonomics deals with issues such as comfort and safety.

•What colour is best for safety equipment?

•How much weight can one person safely lift?

In your project you should explain what human factors you need to consider.
You may conduct your own research if the information is not readily available.
 Research 05 – ergonomics
Anthropometrics

•Anthropometrics is the study of human measurements.

•Measurements have been taken from millions of people of all shapes and sizes
and put together in charts.

•Designers try to work to the 5th – 95th percentile. That means that 90%
of the population are catered for.

•However, if there are all these measurements to choose from which one do you
use?

•Think about it. If you are designing a doorway you would choose the tallest.

•If you are designing a seat then the shortest might be the best compromise.

•There are lots of specific books and websites which deal with this in more detail.
 Research 05 – ergonomics
HUMAN FACTORS I WILL CONSIDER
Explain what human factors you need to consider
when designing your product.

Human measurements you might have to

consider.

What you might have to consider to make your product

safer, easier and more efficient to use.
How are you going to make it easy to
lift, carry and assemble your product?
Draw (close up) diagrams of similar products you
might consider.
Useful or helpful parts on these products (that
make it easier to use, carry, lift and assemble)
could be used on your design.

Diagram of human measurements. For example

hands, feet legs.....
 Research 06 – research summary

SOURCE WHAT I FOUND HOW IT HELPED ME

 Specification
1. TARGET MARKET 7. MATERIALS
What type of materials do you think are most
Who is the target market? appropriate? Do they need to have specific
characteristics such as being waterproof ect..
2. FUNCTION 8. SAFETY
The British Standards Institute produces
What does your product need to do? guidelines for many products. Check their website
on http://www.bsi.org.uk/education
3. SIZE 9. COST
Is there a limit on your budget? Does your
Are there any restrictions? Can you specify a
product need to compete on price with similar
size at this stage?
products.
4. WEIGHT 10. GREEN ISSUES

Is this important? How will the customer How environmentally friendly will your product
transport it home? need to be?

5. DURABILITY 11. MANUFACTURE/ BATCH PRODUCTION

How long do you expect your product to last?
Will there be any maintenance issues?
6. AESTHETICS
Does your product need to match a particular
style? Consider colour, form, proportion, pattern
and texture.
Any specific processes? What scale of production are you
expecting your product to be manufactured on?
How will your product be batched produced?
12. PACKAGING
Does your product need to pack flat? Do you
need to include assembly instructions or guidance
for its use?
OBJECTIVE 3
 Initial Ideas
Generating Ideas

Drawing through a window: Select items of interest –

nature is an ideal source.

Design in the style of…:

Retro style is very popular. Designing in the style of the
past Design movements is a great starting point. Check
out Bauhaus, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, De Still, Memphis
and Shaker. This idea for a lamp came from looking at
the Hoover Building – a famous piece of Art Deco
Architecture.
 Initial Ideas

Setting rules: Limiting yourself to a set of rules can

sometimes means that you produce fresh ideas that you
would never have thought up without them. Try this set of
rules. You can only use a maximum of three circular holes
and two straight saw cuts taken from a selection of paper
off-cuts.

Looking at the work of Famous Designers:

There are many designers from past times or the
present who are inspirational to others designers.
Check out Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Phillipe
Starck, James Dyson, Frank Lloyd Wright, and
Ettore Sottass for starters.
 Initial Ideas

Using Modelling: Working in 3D will often produce very

different ideas from simply sitting paper and pencil. Try one
of these techniques to design a piece of furniture.
•Use only art straw and card
•Cut and fold from a single sheet of card
•Use plasticine and card
•Use wire and scraps of fabric.

Working with Grids:

Use square paper and cut out identical
shapes from coloured paper. Experiment
with how they repeat and the patterns which
can be made.
 Initial Ideas 01
15 Ideas with notes explaining each idea ( this may take more than two sheets). Explain each what
material and what possible joints you might use for each design. Does the design fit you
specification?
 Initial Ideas 02
15 Ideas with notes explaining each idea ( this may take more than two sheets). Explain each what
material and what possible joints you might use for each design. Does the design fit you
specification?
 Initial Development
Choose a few ideas that most suit your specification and develop them using sketches into one
final idea.
 Perspective Drawing
Perspective drawings give a sense of depth. There are two types:

one point perspective

two point perspective.

Both types have similar characteristics and involve the following:

A horizon line
This is at eye level. It is the line at which the ground meets
the sky.

A vanishing point
This is positioned on the horizon line. The drawing is
‘pulled into’ the vanishing point.
Perspective Drawing
 Final Idea
Draw a two point perspective drawing of your final idea. You may want to include draws of
different angles.
OBJECTIVE 4
 Modelling and Testing
Modelling Your Best Idea
Making a good scale model at this stage can help you finalise your construction details. You might
need to test out some of the construction methods full size. Card, 3mm MDF, wire ect. Are often the
most suitable materials to model with.

What scale should I use?

That very much depends on the product you are designing. Furniture is often modelled full size
using corrugated card. Rolled up newspaper and self-adhesive tape will allow frame structures to be
tested.

Testing
Tests do not have to be complex, they have to be sensible. Can you finalise:
•The dimensions for your design?
•The construction methods?
•The materials you will use?
•These details with the potential user?

BE PREPARED TO MOVE BACK A STAGE IF YOU DISCOVER PROBLEMS WITH

YOUR DESIGN.
 Development 01 – making a model
Show photo’s of your model and explain how you tested it or how it works.
 Development 02 - materials and manufacture
Sample of the material you may use. Talk about different industrial processes used to manufacture
those materials.
 Development 03 - materials testing
MATERIALS TO CONSIDER

FINISHES

List of 5 materials you might use.

Different types of finishes for each
Picture or sample of that material.
material.
What properties make that material
useful for this product.

CONCLUSIONS

TESTING

Testing the materials Conclusions. What material you

might use and why?
Best way to glue and cut each material.
Drawing or photo to show this.
How easy the materials are to cut?
 Development 04 - Orthographic drawings
Most working drawings are third angle orthographic projections.

They bear this symbol.

They have to follow British Standards in a number of ways.

Orthographic projections give three views in one drawing.

The views they show you are:

plan view The views must be drawn perfectly in line with each
other.
front view
side view. Plan view

front view side view

 Development 04 - Orthographic drawings

Draw a detailed orthographic drawing of your product with measurements

 Development 05 – working drawing + cutting list

Draw diagrams of each components of your prototype with the sizes

Cutting List
Below example of 1 component

400mm

400mm

1 Top MDF 400 x 400 x 12

Stick down cutting list here
OBJECTIVE 5
Planning and Making 01

Copy of your Year Time Table

 Planning and Making
Your plans will vary enormously depending upon the actual project undertaken.
They would be used together with drawings and/models. The best way of presenting
this information is to use a flow chart.
Before making a flow chart make a rough list of planned tasks. Each point should be related to the
timetable with rough dates on when you are going to carry out the task.
1. Undertake a task analysis. (3rd of September) 6.Produce a wide range of ideas. (15th of October)
2. Research into a target market. (3rd of September) 7.Develop my ideas into a final solution. (29th of October)
3. I will have to decide upon a design brief. ( 17th of September) 8.Make a model of final idea. (6th of November)
4. Research into problem and brief. (24th of September) 9.Rough plan on how to assemble my prototype.
5. Write out a specification. (8th of October) 10.Make a cutting list. (12th of November)

After the first 10 planned events the next tasks will change depending on your design. Below
are the planned events for a simple table. Note that tasks with ** are quality checks.

11. Check to see if material is cut accurately and materials assemble correctly. **
12.Glue legs together. (19th of November)
13.Glue side panels to top. (26th of November)
14.Glue legs to top and side panels. (3rd of December)
15.Make stilts to ensure self is glued to correct level.** (7th of January)
165.Glue in shelf with block to hold it in place. (11th of February)
17.Sand table surfaces on legs and panel. (25th of February)
18.Check surfaces are smooth.** (3rd of March)
19.Paint table with primer. (10th of March)
20.Sand surfaces. (17th of March)
21.Check surfaces are smooth.** ( 25th of March)
22.Paint table with gloss paint. (21st April)
 Planning and Making

Your plans will vary enormously depending upon the actual project undertaken.
They would be used together with drawings and/models. The best way of presenting
this information is to use a flow chart.

A flow chart shows the order in which a series of tasks are carried out, in other words the sequence
of events in which something is produced. There are different, specific symbols for each stage of the
process.

TERMINATOR DECISION
Represents start, Represents a choice which
restart, and stop. can lead to another pathway.

INPUT/OUTPUT PROCESS
Represents additions to or removals Represents a particular instruction,
from the particular process. or action.
 Planning and Making – Manufacturing Plan

START STOP

Quality Checks
OBJECTIVE 6
 Final Prototype
Show photos of your prototype from different angles
 Evaluation
Evaluation should have taken place at every stage of the design process and the moderator will
be looking for this evidence. It is usual to include a final evaluation report which summaries
what you have done, how successful
the prototypes appears to be and what modification need to take place before it goes into
commercial production.

Evaluation of final prototype

An evaluation should include a review of your final product using your judgement to assess
its success. Asking other people’s opinions is an important part of this of this process.

Specification against prototype

You should test your product against the original specification. Check your prototype
against each of the criteria you originally listed. Was the design specification correct?
Did you need to revise this as the work progressed?

Testing
Testing your product is an important part of evaluation. Companies undertake numerous test
before a product goes into full scale production.
EVALUATION OF FINAL PROTOTYPE
Evaluation 01
SPECIFICATION AGAINST PROTOTYPE
Do you find the product easy to use?
Specification Test or question Result &
criteria Explanations
Does it function in the way it was intended?

What do you think about the style of the product?

Do you like or dislike any features? Explain why?

Would you purchase this product and if so what would you expect
to pay for such product?

What are the main advantages or disadvantages compared to

similar products?

TESTING FINAL PROTOTYPE

Photo of
Prototype
 Evaluation
There is no such thing as the perfect design. All products can be improved. Despite all the time
and effort you have put into designing and making your prototype there will be some scope for
improvements.

Modifications Needed
The first thing to do is respond to the tests and others people’s comments. Issues such as colour is not
usually very important and nothing other than a comment from you is required. If there are major
problems with your design then you do need to respond in more detail.
Major problems do not mean that you will gain a poor grade. You could still get a high grade if your
product is a complete failure. You will need to make some serious suggestions for improvements and
might need to produce detailed drawings or models. You will need to ensure that you allow enough time
for a full evaluation to take place, as many students do not. Design work at this stage will be assessed
under several headings so it really is valuable to your overall grade.

Modification for Production

This is also an area you will need to address. The first thing to do is arrange a meeting with a real expert
( yes your teacher!). They should be able to assist you with some of the answers. Make suggestions
about the processes which might be used if your design was commercially produced. Comments such as
‘I would use CAD/CAM ‘ will gain you no credit. You will need to explain your industrial
understanding.
 Evaluation
Ask yourself the following questions:

Would they use the same materials as I use in my prototype?

Would the construction methods be the same?
How would the surface finishes differ from my prototype?
Can I make design changes which would reduce production costs?
Is there scope for automating parts of the manufacturing process?
Can I reduce the number of different components in my design?

A production manager would certainly be looking at these I issues and would be thinking about the
production aids which would be needed.

Can you think of any aids which would help you if you needed to make ten or more prototype
exactly the same?

How could you cut the pieces without measuring them individually?

How could hole be drilled without marking them out individually?

MODIFICATION NEEDED
Evaluation 02

Photo of
Prototype

MODIFICATION FOR PRODUCTION

Would they use the same materials as I use in my prototype?

Would the construction methods be the same?
How would the surface finishes differ from my prototype?
Can I make design changes which would reduce production costs?
Is there scope for automating parts of the manufacturing process?
Can I reduce the number of different components in my design?
Photo of A production manager would certainly be looking at these I issues and would

Prototype be thinking about the production aids which would be needed.

Can you think of any aids which would help you if you needed to make ten or
more prototype exactly the same?

How could you cut the pieces without measuring them individually?

How could hole be drilled without marking them out individually?