Module 1: Engineering Design Process & Design Thinking for Innovation

Question 1 (12 Marks)

Explain the Four C’s of Design (Creativity, Complexity, Choice, Compromise) in detail. Provide
examples to illustrate each concept in the context of engineering design.

Answer:

• Creativity: This involves generating new and unique ideas. Engineers must think outside the box to
create solutions that haven't existed before. For example, creating a foldable smartphone requires
innovative thinking.
• Complexity: Design involves managing numerous variables and parameters. Engineers must handle
complex systems with many interrelated parts. For instance, designing an electric car involves
intricate systems like battery management, electric motors, and regenerative braking.
• Choice: Engineers must make decisions at every level, from basic concepts to detailed design
aspects. For example, selecting materials for building a bridge involves choosing between steel,
concrete, or composites based on factors like cost, strength, and durability.
• Compromise: Balancing conflicting requirements is key. For instance, designing a smartphone
requires balancing battery life, weight, and performance. Improving battery life might increase
weight, so a compromise is necessary.

Question 2 (8 Marks)

Discuss Dieter Rams’ Ten Principles for Good Design. Choose any three principles and explain how
they can be applied in designing a new consumer electronic product.

Answer:

• Good Design is Innovative: When designing a new smartwatch, incorporating the latest technology,
such as advanced health monitoring sensors, makes the product stand out and meets new user needs.
• Good Design is Aesthetic: A smartwatch should not only function well but also look appealing. A
sleek, minimalist design can attract more users and make the product desirable.
• Good Design is Understandable: The user interface of the smartwatch should be intuitive. Clear
icons and easy navigation help users quickly understand and use the features without a steep learning
curve.
Module 2: Types of Design
Question 3 (12 Marks)

Compare and contrast Original Design, Adaptive Design, and Redesign. Provide real-world examples
for each type of design to highlight their differences and applications.

Answer:

• Original Design: Creating something entirely new, such as the first smartphone. This type of design
is innovative and often sets new standards.
• Adaptive Design: Modifying an existing design to meet new requirements. For example, adapting a
gas-powered car to an electric vehicle involves altering the powertrain while keeping the basic car
design.
• Redesign: Improving an existing design to enhance functionality or aesthetics. For example,
redesigning the interface of an existing software application to make it more user-friendly.

Question 4 (8 Marks)

What is Selection Design? Describe the process involved in selection design and provide an example of
a scenario where selection design would be the most appropriate approach.

Answer:

• Selection Design: Choosing from existing design options instead of creating something new. This is
often done when there are well-established solutions available.
• Process: Evaluate different options based on criteria such as cost, performance, and aesthetics.
Make a decision based on these evaluations.
• Example: Selecting furniture for an office redesign. Instead of designing custom furniture, choosing
from catalog options is more efficient and cost-effective.
Module 3: The Engineering Design Process
Question 5 (12 Marks)

Describe the steps involved in the Engineering Design Process. Discuss how each step contributes to
developing a successful engineering solution, using a practical example to illustrate the process.

Answer:

• Identify the Problem or Need: Clearly define what needs to be solved. For example, a company
needs a new, energy-efficient light bulb.
• Define Design Criteria and Constraints: Set performance goals and limitations, like cost and
materials. The light bulb must be energy-efficient, affordable, and long-lasting.
• Generate Concepts: Brainstorm different ideas for the light bulb design.
• Develop and Evaluate Designs: Create prototypes and test them. Check which design meets the
criteria best.
• Refine and Optimize Designs: Improve the best prototype based on test results.
• Implement the Solution: Start manufacturing the final design.
• Test and Validate: Ensure the final product works as intended in real-world conditions.
• Communicate and Document: Record the design process and results. Share the final design with
stakeholders.
• Iterate and Improve: Use feedback to make further improvements.

Question 6 (8 Marks)

Explain the importance of defining design criteria and constraints in the Engineering Design Process.
How do they influence the generation and evaluation of design concepts?

Answer:

• Importance: Design criteria and constraints guide the design process, ensuring that solutions meet
specific requirements and limitations.
• Influence: They help narrow down ideas to those that are feasible. For instance, if cost is a major
constraint, then the design concepts must consider affordable materials and manufacturing
processes.
• Example: If designing a new bicycle, criteria might include durability and weight, while constraints
could be the maximum cost and materials available.
Module 4: Product Development Process
Question 7 (12 Marks)

Outline the six stages of the Product Development Process. For each stage, explain its significance and
the key activities involved, using a hypothetical product as an example.

Answer:

• Idea Generation: Brainstorming new product ideas, such as a smart water bottle.
• Concept Development and Screening: Developing the concept further, creating sketches, and
evaluating feasibility. Decide if the smart water bottle concept is worth pursuing.
• Design and Engineering: Detailed design and engineering work, creating prototypes. Develop the
smart water bottle's sensors and connectivity features.
• Prototype Development and Testing: Build prototypes and test them. Ensure the smart water bottle
accurately tracks water intake and is durable.
• Product Launch: Prepare for market release. Develop marketing strategies and start manufacturing.
• Commercialization and Post-launch Evaluation: Launch the product, monitor performance, and
gather customer feedback to make improvements.

Question 8 (8 Marks)

Discuss the role of prototyping in the Product Development Process. What are the benefits of
prototyping, and how does it help in refining product designs?

Answer:

• Role of Prototyping: Prototyping allows for testing and refining a design before full-scale production.
• Benefits: Identifies potential problems early, saves costs by preventing mistakes, and improves
design through feedback.
• Example: Prototyping a new chair design can reveal comfort issues that can be fixed before mass
production.
Module 5: Problem Formulation and Concept Generation
Question 9 (12 Marks)

Explain the concept generation process in detail. Describe the major techniques used for generating
concepts and how they contribute to innovative product development.

Answer:

• Problem Definition: Clearly define the problem to be solved.

• Idea Generation: Use techniques like brainstorming, mind mapping, SCAMPER, and analogous
thinking to come up with ideas.
• Research and Inspiration: Look at existing solutions, gather customer feedback, and draw inspiration
from various sources.
• Prototyping and Visualization: Create sketches or models to visualize concepts.
• Cross-disciplinary Collaboration: Work with team members from different fields to get diverse
perspectives.
• Evaluation and Selection: Use criteria to evaluate ideas and select the best ones.
• Iterative Refinement: Refine ideas based on feedback and testing.
• Documentation: Keep records of all concepts and the development process.

Question 10 (8 Marks)

Why is understanding customer needs crucial in product design? Discuss the different methods used to
gather customer information and how they impact the design process.

Answer:

• Importance: Understanding customer needs ensures the product meets user expectations and
solves real problems, leading to higher satisfaction and success.
• Methods:
• Interviews: Directly asking customers about their needs.
• Focus Groups: Group discussions to gather in-depth insights.
• Customer Complaints: Analyzing complaints to identify areas for improvement.
• Surveys: Collecting structured feedback from a larger audience.
• Warranty Data: Using data from warranty claims to spot common issues.
• Impact: These methods help designers create products that are useful, user-friendly, and meet
market demands.