This document presents an overview of the design process in engineering, detailing its stages and methodologies related to practical problem-solving. It emphasizes the importance of considerations like materials, cost, and user needs, and outlines systematic steps from recognizing the problem to implementing and evaluating solutions. The design process is framed as both an iterative and linear model, tailored for modern engineering practices.

1. The Design Process
Author: Leicester College
Date created:
Date revised: 2009
Abstract: This presentation looks at the design Process as applied to practical Engineering
situations. An overview of design considerations and the basic methodology is given. Each stage of
the process is explained and its relevance to modern engineering practice is discussed.
© Leicester College 2009. This work is licensed under HNC In Engineering – Design for manufacture
a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License. Edexcel HN Unit: Engineering Science (NQF L4)

2. • Engineering Design
• What Makes Good Design?
• Factors Affecting Design
• The Design Process
• The Design Process 1
• The Design Process 2
• The Design Process 3
• The Design Process- An Iterative Model
• The Design Process- A Linear Model
• Credits
This presentation supports the Edexcel HN unit – Engineering design.
Unit Key words
outcome
The Design Process 1 Design, Process, Problem, Brief, stages,
Material selection 1.3 Materials, design, cost, selection, service requirements, processing
The Task 1.1-1.4 Design, specification, customer requirements, service needs, product, task list
Spec. Phase 1.2, 1.4, PDS, specifications, performance, environment, factors
2.1
User needs 1.1, 2.1, Specification, service requirements, performance, user
2.4
Design intro 1 Concepts, design, ergonomics, fit for purpose
For further information regarding unit outcomes go to Edexcel.org.uk/ HN/ Engineering / Specifications

3. Engineering Design
Engineering definition;
The application of science, knowledge
and skills to solve problems and provide
solutions in general beneficial to
humankind
The Design Process

4. What so good about this particular
design ?
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The Design Process

5. What makes a good design ?
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Alternatively –
How can we assess these designs ?
The Design Process

6. What makes a good design ?
Fit for purpose
Cost effective
Successful ?
Iconic
Long lasting
Does the job its design for in the
most effective, efficient manner.
The Design Process

7. Factors affecting design
performance
 Cost effective
 Satisfies service requirements
 Can be made – achievable
Like this ?

8. The design process
A methodology which requires a logical, sequential
analysis of the design problem to be solved.
Set out in stages which helps us to progressively
develop a solution to the problem set.
The best solution given the
Technology available at the
Time.
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The Design Process

9. The design process 1 – Recognition of
the problem to be solved
BRIEF
 Recognition of problem
 Identification of needs
 Recognition of situation
INVESTIGATION
 Research in topic – what exists already
 Collation of relevant information
 Analysis of topic
 Specification of requirements
The Design Process

10. The design process 2 – Creative phase
IDEAS
 Generation of realistic ideas to satisfy product
design brief and functional requirements
EVALUATION
 Evaluation of ideas against the specification
 Identification of proposed solution
DEVELOPING
 Sketching, modeling refining proposed solutions
The Design Process

11. The design process 3 - Implementation
PLANNING
 Drawings from which the product can be realised
 Parts list, planning sheets for realisation
Manufacture
 Make the product to design
 Evaluate in the field
Revisit the original design
– good designs ‘evolve’ over time
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The Design Process

12. The design process
In reality we produce products which satisfy an
immediate need as the customer wants it yesterday.
Major innovation in design and manufacture require us
to look into new materials, manufacturing technologies
and potential markets to ‘look into the
Future.
to this
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The Design Process

13. The design process – analysis of the
design
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The Design Process

14. The design process
In engineering we use the design
process to provide solutions to problems
– by applying a logical set of stages. In
reality these are usually reduced in
length because of;
 Previous experience / knowledge
 Custom and practice
 What the competition are doing
The Design Process

15. This resource was created Leicester College and released as an open educational resource through the Open
Engineering Resources project of the Higher Education Academy Engineering Subject Centre. The Open
Engineering Resources project was funded by HEFCE and part of the JISC/HE Academy UKOER programme.
© 2009 Leicester College
Except where other wise stated, this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
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England & Wales Licence. All reproductions must comply with the terms of that licence.
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only, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given to the Higher Education Academy as the copyright holder and original
publisher.
The Leicester College name and logo is owned by the College and should not be produced without the express permission of the
College.
The Design Process