Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Once a number of concepts have been generated, it is necessary to choose the
design that would be most suitable to fulfill the requirements set out in the PDS.
The PDS is used as the basis of any product decisions made. Ideally, a multifunction
design team should perform this task so that each concept can be evaluated from a
number of angles or perspectives (for example, market, technology, manufacturing).
The chosen concept will then be developed in detail.
At Studio Levien, it is standard practice to develop a highly realistic 3D model
usually made from high-density polyurethane foam. In some cases, this is given a
resin coating to resemble glazed ceramic. The models will form the basis of the
presentation to the client. The models often require considerable levels of hand fin-
ishing, which means that they may require to be 3D scanned in order to capture the
physical dimensions for later manipulation within a CAD environment.
The final stage of the design process is that of detail design (Brazier, 2001). At
this stage, the chosen concept is designed in detail with all the necessary dimensions
and specifications (Hudson, 2005; Curtis, Krasner, & Iscoe, 1988). A large num-
ber of decisions need to be made relating to specific issues, and the precise work
of detailed drawing, calculating and testing is carried out at this stage (Anderson,
Button, & Sharrock, 1993). The earlier stages may be revisited if problems are
encountered. The end result is a detailed product description containing all the
necessary specifications for the product's manufacturer.
Studio Levien's approach is to present the client with an accurate 3D model of
what the finished product would look like. It may then be necessary to work closely
with the client to iron out any manufacturing anomalies. In the case of ceramics,
considerable amount of distortion can occur during the firing process which needs
to be accounted for in the design. For example, the design of a dinner plate would
account for the dropping of the rim of the plate during the firing so that the final
shape of the product is correct.
Next, we describe a set of IT-based applications that were developed to support
the design processes described so far.
4.4 Virtual Design Environment
A virtual (i.e., IT-based) design environment was developed in collaboration with
Studio Levien to support the company's design activities (Liapis, 2007). The envi-
ronment consists of a series of tools and services designed to support the product
conceptualization and design processes. These tools and the underlying principles
that they are based on are described in more detail in the following sections.
Figure 4.2 illustrates how the new virtual design environment integrates into the
design process, providing support for the design team particularly during the early
stages of the development of the initial concept.
Once a contract is established between a client and Studio Levien details
are entered into the design environment's database. The client's requirements,
encapsulated in the design brief, are shared with the design team.
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