Initial Ideas
As you begin to design your clock you will need to use a variety of drawing systems.
The shape of the clock body based upon a researched theme will be your first concern.
The first type of drawing style to be used is called Initial Ideas.
The link to Initial ideas shows of a variety of designs based upon the theme of a child/s electronic money box.
Initial Ideas are always your fist ideas. You may be concerned with shape, themes or concepts. At this stage variety is very important. You should not know what your end product will look like.
Remember to:-
1. Keep all the diagrams or drawings quick and simple.
2. You may sketch with a soft pencil, pen or felt tipped pen.
3. Do not spend too long thinking about shade and colour. Use 2D and 3D sketches to quickly display your thoughts on paper. It is important to keep your drawings fluid.
4. Use only stick people for figures.
5. Use annotation to explain your thoughts.
6. Use arrows to show movement or direction.
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Development Drawings
Once you have decided upon the shape and form of your product it is time to make some important decisions. We develop one of our first ideas.
Development Drawings of a child's electrical money box.
Throughout the development stage we answer the following questions.
1. How will the product be constructed? Do we use permanent joints, temporary joints or flexible/movable joints.
2. What type of finish is required? Is the material self finishing or does it need a finish to protect it from the elements.
3. What sorts of materials are required? Manufactured boards, real woods, metals, plastics, composite materials etc.
4. How will the product function? will it have moving parts, will it have drawers, shelves or doors. how will the mechanism of a clock fit into the main body?
5. What will parts of the unit look like? We call this Aesthetics. Will there be moulded edges, decorative finishes e.g. inlaying.
6. What are the sizes and proportions of the unit. Orthographic Drawings, Cutting Lists and Models will help you with this.
All of these questions need to be answered in the form of annotation and drawings. |
Exploded Views
An exploded view is a way of showing how all the components or parts of a design idea fit together.
We use the term explosion but really the drawing looks like it has been pulled apart.
You should attempt to move the parts away from one another on a central axis. If necessary place faint lines in to show the connections.
This link shows an exploded drawing of a proposal for a Baby Bath Water Temperature Detector.
This particular drawing is also a Cut-Away View. It allows you to see all the internal parts of the product. Layers at the front of the drawing have been removed or cut-away to enable these details to be seen.
It has become a Sectional (cut-Away) Exploded Drawing.
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Modelling
Some designs involve moving parts or mechanical components. It is not enough to just draw these systems. Sometimes it is essential to make a working model which can actually show movement and help you to see if your idea works.
This links shows a number of scale models that have been used to test a staircase trolley.
Remember:-
1. Keep your working model simple. Concentrate on the parts that move. Do not waste time with unwanted detail.
2. Work with an appropriate scale. Tiny details of complicated parts are time-consuming to assemble. It is sometimes easier to work on a much larger scale.
3. The model should work in the same way as the final product. The materials should be similar to those used in the final design.
The model given as an example has been modelled using an easy to assemble plastic kit. Card, paper and thin plastics are the most common materials used for this type of working model. These types of materials are compliant but can behave like resistant materials if treated correctly.
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