Conceptual Modeling

Conceptual modelling, also known as visualising, is an idea that only exists in mind or possibly on paper. It can help with:

• Grouping ideas
• Improving your design thinking
• Bringing together parts of other products 

Conceptual modelling can be complicated in the IA as it is hard to translate something in your head onto paper

 

Stage	Definition	Type	Definition	Tools
Graphical / Virtual Modelling	Graphical modelling is a visualisation of the idea in either 2d or 3d design.	Sketching	A rough and quick visualisation such as a diagram, or a rendered sketch.	Graphical - pen on paper with the aid of tracing materials. 1,2 or 3 points perspective or Isometric perspective. or/and Virtual (Digital) - CAD software on a computer like Solidworks and Fusion 360. In working drawings, it is critical to include dimensions.
		Formal drawing	Detailed visualisation such as a flow chart, technical drawing. It must be to scale.
		Virtual (2D, 3D)	The approximate representation used to communicate design.
		Part, assembly and exploded drawings	Display of the different parts and how they come together. This can come in the form of a working drawing.
Physical	Physical modelling is a physical representation of the visualisation	Scale	Smaller or larger physical model	From simple foam board and glue to using proper manufacturing techniques
		Aesthetic	The model used to assess the visual appeal
		Mock-up	Full-scale model, used for tests and analysis
		Prototype	Final mock-up, before production

Virtual Modelling

Advantages:

• Helps to explain features
• Helps with project planning
• Gauges peoples reaction
• Promote Communication

Disadvantages:

• Make assumptions
• Too simplistic (Particularly drawings)
• It is sometimes hard to display scale (might be a good idea to have a reference object like a Rubix cube there for size)
• Graphical models can be difficult to follow
• If not made of final materials it can cause an adverse reaction

 

Physical Modeling

Advantages:

• Explore and test ideas
• Easily understandable
• Helps communicate with clients
• Helps communication with teammates
• Ability to manipulate ideas better
• Is tangible
• Can be used in user trials in more than one way

Disadvantages:

• A designer can make assumptions about how accurately a model represents reality
• It may not work as the final products
• Might be made of different materials
• Time-consuming
• Level of skill required
• Can be costly

 

Virtual Prototyping - Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Advantages:

• Changes to ideas are quick and easy
• Communicate with the client easily
• Avoid costly mistakes
• Reduce costs as extra prototypes not needed
• Can be easily turned into a prototype of high fidelity
• Finite element analysis to test material capabilities eg stress and strain

Disadvantages:

• Software/hardware costs
• Special training and steep learning curve
• Mid-fidelity model

 

Digital Humans: Motion Capture and virtual reality

• Computer simulations of the biometrics of the human body
• help to predict how humans will react to tasks and environments
• digital humans can be used to repusent joint resistance 
• capture and record how humans move and react
• Haptic Technology allows humans to interact with computer simulation focusing more on a sense of touch

 

 

Ranges of fidelity and context

The combination of the fidelity and context help designers develop concepts towards a final prototype.

Range of Fidelity	Description	Range of Context	Definition
Low	Conceptual representation - conceptual drawing - sketch - Not really tangible - the user can offer input into the design idea (Like a CAD model)	Restricted	Testing in a controlled environment (specific design brief)
Medium	Representation of aspects - formal picture - blueprints, mock-up	General	Trial with any user in any environment (less strict design brief)
High	As close as possible to the final product - prototype - allows full user interaction for testing	Partial	Testing with the final user (target audience) or environment
		Total	Testing with the final user and environment

 

Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Representation of the model

Term	Definition	Example
Surface	Digital aesthetic model made for the assessment of the exterior's visual appeal	A render of the facade of a building
Solid	Digital physical (size, volume ex.) representation of the final product	3D model of the shape
Data	A model containing all the data (structured data) and the fine details	Digital blueprints

 

Virtual prototyping

In 2019 CAD modelling can simulate products in different ranges of contexts (environments) to help enable better design.

Bottom-up vs Top-down strategy

Bottom-up modelling consists of multiple parts (geometries) that come together to create the product

Top-down modelling

consists of one component (geometry), creating the product in one body/shape

Digital Humans

Computer-based models of humans that contain various mechanical and biological properties and therefore allow designers to predict how a human body would react to a situation and environment. It will enable testing dangerous settings like car crashes without harming real humans.

Advantages

• Low cost - digital prototypes are cheaper to produce, and reduced compensation costs resulting from accidents,
• Safer products - enables to provide more accurate data for analysis and improvement
• Increased productivity - reduces the time spent of testing in different environments and situations, and removes inefficiencies

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