1.28 Design Communication Flashcards
(15 cards)
Design reports
A design report is a structured document used in design communication to present and explain the development of a design project. It communicates ideas, decisions, and outcomes to clients, team members, or stakeholders in a clear, professional way.
Purpose of a Design Report
To document the design process from concept to final solution
To justify design decisions with research, testing, and evaluation
To communicate visually and verbally how a product meets user needs and project requirements
To support collaboration and feedback
Key Contents of a Design Report
Title Page
Project name, designer, date, institution/company
Introduction / Brief
Design problem, aims, target user, and context
Research
Market research, user needs, materials, existing products
Concept Development
Sketches, mood boards, CAD models, and ideas explored
Design Decisions
Explanation of why certain ideas, materials, or processes were chosen
Prototyping and Testing
Models made, testing outcomes, user feedback
Final Design
Detailed drawings, specifications, renderings
Evaluation
How the final design meets the brief, what could be improved
Conclusion
Summary of what was achieved
References and Appendices
Sources, extra drawings, technical info
Technical reports
A technical report in design communication is a formal document used to convey detailed, factual information about the technical aspects of a design. It supports clear, precise communication between engineers, designers, clients, and manufacturers.
Purpose of Technical Reports in Design
To present technical data clearly (e.g. material choices, tolerances, load analysis)
To justify design decisions using calculations, test results, and standards
To support manufacturing, quality control, and compliance
To provide a record for future reference, troubleshooting, or improvements
Key Features of a Technical Report
Clear Structure
Title, abstract, table of contents, numbered sections
Objective Language
Factual, impersonal, and evidence-based tone
Technical Detail
CAD drawings, material specs, simulations, test data
Use of Charts, Tables, and Diagrams
To present data visually for clarity
References to Standards
Use of ISO, ASTM, BS standards when relevant
When They’re Used in Design Communication
During the development phase to document testing and analysis
When handing over to manufacturers or suppliers
For client presentations that require technical validation
In regulatory submissions or patent applications
As part of engineering coursework or design portfolios
Example Applications
Explaining the structural integrity of a bridge design
Documenting the thermal performance of a product casing
Providing assembly instructions with technical diagrams
Reporting on stress tests or material evaluations
The use of graphs, tables and charts
Bar chart
- Simplest way of representing data
- Used in many different reports and in the media
- Commonly used
Pictograph
- Very easy to understand
- Quick to read
- Suitable for presentations
- Not very accurate
Histogram
- Similar to a bar chart
- Data is shown in ranges
- Useful to show the frequency distribution of data
- Particularly useful for showing results of research
Line graph
- Can show data changes over time
- Easy to understand
- Accurate due to the use of scales
Pie chart
- Shows data distribution
- Size of segments is relative to the proportion of data
- Very easy to read and understand
Data tables
- Important to enable you to:
• interpret data
• identify patterns or incorrect data
• add missing data
- Typical project use:
• anthropometric data
• cutting lists
• costings
First angle orthographic projection and third angle orthographic projection
- Includes front, plan, and end ‘elevations’
- Used by engineers and manufacturers
- Standardised method for:
• dimensioning
• scale
• line types, such as hidden detail
• first angle views are on the opposite side from the viewpoint
• third angle views are on the same side as viewpoint
Sectional drawing
- Shows interanl details
- The object is usually ‘cut’ in half along a ‘cutting plane’
Isometric
- Simple 3D drawing method
- Used to sketch designs
- Can be drawn freehand
- Set square gives 30-degree accuracy
Isometric crafting
- Isometric crafting means making or drawing 3D objects using a special kind of drawing called isometric drawing.
- Isometric ‘crate’ helps to sketch in isometric
- Particularly useful for sloping surfaces and curves
One-point perspective
- Simple 3D drawing method
- Often used by architects and interior designers to sketch buildings or rooms
- Gives the drawing depth
- Objects get smaller the closer they are to the vanishing point
- Can be used for design ideas
Two-point perspective
- For 3D drawings to stand out
- Exaggerates the 3D effect
- Object can be drawn above or below the horizon line
Thick/thin line technique
- For 3D drawings to stand out
- External edges are bold and thick
- Internal lines are thin
Marker rendering
Marker rendering is a drawing technique used to add colour, shading, and texture to a sketch or design using markers (felt-tip pens). It helps make a drawing look more realistic and three-dimensional.
- Sprit-based markers are used
- Provide a base colour
- Additional layers of colour or tone can be added
- Fine-line pens add more detail
- Enhances realism of drawings
Mixed media drawings
These make use of:
- pencil and fine-line pen for detail
- marker pen
- watercolour for are cover
- realistic textures are possible
Texture rendering
Texture rendering is a drawing technique used to show the surface feel or material of an object in a sketch — for example, making something look rough, smooth, soft, shiny, wood, metal, or fabric just by how you draw or colour it.
- Added using a fine-line pen
- Specific materials can be suggested
- Texture includes:
* wood grain
* cross-hatching
* stippling
