Prototyping, modelling, testing - Design Technology IB Study Notes

Imagine you want to bake a new type of cookie. You wouldn't bake 100 dozen cookies right away, would you? You'd probably try baking just one or two first to see if the recipe works, if it tastes good, and if it bakes properly. That's the idea behind prototyping, modelling, and testing in design!

• Modelling (say: MOD-uh-ling): This is like making a small, simpler version of your idea to understand it better. Think of it like drawing a map before you go on a trip, or building a small LEGO model of a house you want to build. It helps you see the big picture and how things fit together.

• Prototyping (say: PRO-toh-tipe-ing): This is like making that first test cookie. It's a rough, early version of your product that you can actually touch and try out. It might not look perfect, but it helps you check if the main parts of your idea work. For example, if you're designing a new phone, a prototype might just be a block of wood with buttons drawn on it, to see how it feels in your hand.

• Testing (say: TEST-ing): This is when you try out your model or prototype to see if it does what it's supposed to do. Does your test cookie taste good? Does your phone prototype feel comfortable? You try to break it, stretch it, or use it in different ways to find out what works and what doesn't. It's like playing a video game to find all the bugs before it's released.

Let's think about a company designing a brand new smartphone. They don't just draw it on paper and then start building millions of them. That would be super risky!

1. Modelling: First, they might create a CAD model (Computer-Aided Design model). This is like a super detailed 3D drawing on a computer. They can spin it around, look at it from all angles, and even see how the internal parts might fit together, all without building anything physical. They might also make a simple foam model (a physical model made from foam) to get a quick feel for the size and shape in someone's hand.

2. Prototyping: Next, they'd create several prototypes. The first might be a "looks-like" prototype – a non-working phone that just looks like the real thing, to see if people like the design and feel. Then, they might make a "works-like" prototype – a clunky, ugly version that has all the internal electronics working, but doesn't look finished. This helps them test the software and hardware separately.

3. Testing: Finally, they'd put these prototypes through rigorous testing. They'd drop them, soak them in water, press the buttons thousands of times, and have real people use them for weeks. They'd gather feedback like, "The camera button is too hard to reach," or "The battery dies too quickly." All this feedback helps them improve the design before the final product is made.