Design Process Education: Using Descriptive Design Models to Enhance Engineering Design Education

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Descriptive Design Model: Design Timelines

Figure 1. An example of a descriptive design model showing an “ Ideal Project Envelope." [1]

Figure 1. An example of a descriptive design model showing an “ Ideal Project Envelope." [1]

Figure 2. An example of the current conceptual model taught in engineering design education. [2]

Figure 2. An example of the current conceptual model taught in engineering design education. [2]

The use of descriptive design models (Figure 1) expand current conceptual models (Figure 2) used to teach engineering design education. The Design timelines are a type of descriptive design model that depicts the patterns of design activities and use of time. This provides new insight and ability to identify patterns, iterations, and behavior amongst individuals and their respective design process. 

 

Design Timeline Activity

Students in design engineering courses were provided with a reflection activity that portrayed 6 design timelines deduced from a lab study. Participants in this lab study were recorded in real time based on their design activities (Figure 3).