This document outlines the project timeline for a Year 4 Product Design course across two semesters. It details the 8 stages of the project process including problem definition, research, design criteria, idea generation, concept development, design testing and validation, design for manufacture, and final design. Key activities are specified for each week such as problem statements, research presentations, design reviews, prototype testing, and final presentations. All hand-ins and presentations are scheduled for Fridays unless otherwise indicated.

1. YEAR 4 PD+T
Poject Stage
SEMESTER 1 Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13
Re-skilling
Stage 1: Problem Definition
Problem Statement Hand-in
Stage 2: Research
Research (ongoing)
Mood + research boards Presention
Design aims + goals + key research findings
Stage 3: Design criteria
Design Brief & Specification Hand-in
Stage 4: Idea Generation
Concept Generation Blue-Sky Conceptualisation concept ideas Peer Presentation
(Concept Gathering Sketchbook/Sketch Models only) Sketch presentation
2D and 3D sketches
Stage 5: Concept Development No CAD
Concept Development
Configuration / Ergonomic / Functional Models Functional requirements rigs and testing
Proof of concept model and testing Presentation of concepts Choose 1 concept
High Quality Presentation Aesthetic profiling Tutor group/post-up
Design Blog
SEMESTER 2 Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14
Stage 6 :Design Testing and validation
Tutor review
Test Product configuration + Prototyping / User Trials Review
Styling refinement of final concept Presentation
Stage 7: Design For Manufacture
Design for Manufacture Review Hand-in
Technical Detailing Review Hand-in
Rapid modelling procurement SLAs etc…
Stage 8: Final Design
Final Prototype Fully finished blue foam model (depends on project)
Final Design Blog Hand-in
Final model Requires technical drawing before comencement Deadline
Final Design Presentation Work Graphic work, boards etc.
(boards, rub-downs, context props, custom plinths etc)
All hand-in and Presentations on Friday unless otherwise stated
Provisional Dates for Final Design Showcase 27th May '09 (TBC)
Note: All presentations prepared as Creative suite documents and presented as PDF's for projection