Human-centred Design Engineering

This module aims to develop students’ competence and self-confidence in the key elements of creative human centred design engineering tools and process. Students will also learn and develop design engineering communication techniques; including design drawing, engineering drawing, 3D computer aided design, 2D digital graphics and oral presentation. These two elements combine in a substantial structured design engineering project which involves both individual and team based activity. Student confidence and ability to work autonomously is developed through the requirement to investigate and define a human centred design engineering opportunity/problem area, establish meaningful links with users and stakeholders for information gathering and validation and manage the overall project process to deliver a complete set of outcomes in submissions, presentation and an exhibition of work.                

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be better able to:

•   Interpret human factors contexts within a human-centered design approach
•   Demonstrate design engineering process methodologies and how they are used in human-centered design approach
•   Apply a range of design engineering tools and methods within categories of design process and types of design communication
•   Plan and create lo-fi and hi-fi prototyping to explore, test and validate human factors based project concepts
•   Collate design engineering project outcomes in effective communications materials
•   Conduct effective contributions to team based design engineering activities           

Description of Content

Design Engineering process/mindsets:
  Agile process
  Systems thinking
  Service Design
  Value propositions
  Interfaces
  Creative methods
Design engineering tools:
  Scenarios/Journey maps
  Business Model Canvas
  Project planning
Design Communication:
  Design sketching
  Engineering drawing to BS888
  3D Computer Aided Design
  2D Graphics software
  Design presentations/pitching
Prototyping:
  Lo-fi prototyping
  Prototyping
Human Factors:
  Human abilities and limitations
  Conceptual and mental models
  Decision making and DSS
  Human error and prediction
  User Centred Design/Human Centred Design
  Anthropometrics
  Mental Models
  Needfinding
  User testing
Branding:
  Brand models