Question

Brainstorm an idea about how a common appliance, device, or tool could be redesigned to improve it in some way. Identify the steps involved and the economic factors that you would need to consider prior to making a decision to manufacture the redesigned product. A detailed design and actual cost estimates are not required. Some items which could be considered for this redesign exercise are a shopping cart, telephone, can opener, screwdriver, etc.

Then, discuss/respond to two (2) of your classmates' posts (i.e. Do you agree/disagree with your classmates' improvements and steps involved? Why/Why not?)

Answer 1

Brainstorming is a method for generating ideas to solve a design problem. It is usually used in the beginning stages of a project, where the possibilities for the project are not clearly understood or defined.

Steps involved to consider prior to making a decision to manufacture the redesigned products:

Define the problem: First thing we need to understand is why someone would want our product.Do we are offering a solution to problem that is not currently being solved?Will our products have features not currently available in the market?

Background research: Research should be done diligently.People that will use,purchase and experience our product should be known to us.

Specify requirements: Requirements of a product should be known.

Brainstorm solutions: It provides a quick means for tapping the creativity of a limited number of people for large no. of ideas.

Choose best solutions: The next step is to choose the best ideas from all those which are available.

Do development work: Further we will guide with the development path,help with design decisions and incorporate other disciplines into design process.

Build a prototype: Following the above steps we can build a prototype for our project.

Test and design: The last step is to test the final product and its designing.

Following the above steps we can redesign a common appliance and can use it for other purpose like we can redesign screw driver and can give it a new look and make it attractive.Also we can design telephone having features like mobile phones.

Now comes the economic factors which should be kept in mind.The first one is the estimated cost for redesigning. We have to take the estimate prior to design that how much it is going to affect the current market and what profit can we make.One thing which can also be considered is how its going to affect country's economy.