Design Problem Definition

The Fun-derwater Corporation, has approached you with the request that you design a personal
CD player for use underwater by recreational scuba divers swimming around the coral reefs of
Hawaii, so they can listen to music as they swim among colorful fish. The device must cost no
more than $20 to manufacture and should be brightly colored, with easy-to-operate big buttons so
that it can be controlled by someone wearing gloves. The client wants the design to be complete
within a month, with production starting within 3 months.
a) Write a design statement that clarifies and addresses the client’s needs but removes any
implied solutions.
b) Develop a general list of design considerations, using the categories suggested in the
lecture notes.
c) Using the list from part b), decide which items are objectives (0) and which are
constraints (C). Many items on the list may fit into both categories. Cost, for example,
usually acts as both an objective and a constraint.
d) Determine metrics for each objective and each constraint. Sometimes the metric is
implied in the constraint itself (e.g. must weigh no more than 1 pound). Other times you
have to add the metric (e.g. should be as attractive as possible (as judged by a panel of
typical users).
e) Recall that constraints represent clearly defined ways of rejecting designs that don’t meet
them (e.g. must weigh no more than 1 pound), whereas objectives are typically things
that must be maximized or minimized. Constraints often contain the word “must” while
objectives often contain the word “should”.
f) Recall that the more objectives and constraints your design must satisfy, the less
flexibility you will have in the design. Think about your list of objectives and constraints.
Are there any that you can do without?
g) Write a design brief that follows the format given below.
Design Brief
Client:
Designer:
Design statement:
Constraints (with metrics):
Objectives (with metrics):
Deliverables:
(and dates)
Please turn in the design brief and nothing else. It must be typed, not handwritten.
It should contain no misspellings or grammatical errors. Be sure that your objectives and
constraints are distinct and well-defined, and that they include metrics that can reasonably be
observed. Don’t get too obsessed over whether I’m going to agree with your choices of
objectives and constraints. Just be sure that whatever you choose is well-defined and supported
by metrics.
This is the rubric I will use to grade the design brief for the team design project. I’m not using it to grade your
homework, but I want you to see how I WILL grade the team design project brief.
Level Points Description
6 20 Design brief follows format given in lecture notes and homework, provides a clear design
statement, constraints and objectives that make sense and contain metrics, and a list of
deliverables with reasonable dates. No spelling or grammatical errors.
5 17 Same as level 6, but one or two constraints or objectives are poorly written (including objectives
written as constraints, or vise-versa, or constraints that lack a clear criterion for rejection), or lack
very clear metrics. Or design team members are not listed. Or deliverables and dates are not
clear One or two spelling or grammatical errors.
4 15 Same as level 5 but design statement contains an obvious implied solution. Several objectives or
constraints are poorly written (including objectives written as constraints, or vise-versa, or
constraints that lack a clear criterion for rejection), or lack very clear metrics. Objectives or
constraints may appear to be tailored to unnecessarily favor certain solutions. Several spelling or
grammatical errors. If the client’s name is misspelled, this is the highest grade possible.
3 12 Design statement is either too vague to be particularly useful, or too specific to a particular solution.
Numerous spelling or grammatical errors. Objectives and constraints are confused. Important
deliverables or dates are missing.
2 6 Important components of brief are missing, such as the design statement, constraints, or
objectives.
1 0 No design brief, or design brief is in disarray or makes little sense.
This is the rubric I will use to grade the design brief for the team design project. I’m not using it to grade your
homework, but I want you to see how I WILL grade the team design project brief.
Level Points Description
6 20 Design brief follows format given in lecture notes and homework, provides a clear design
statement, constraints and objectives that make sense and contain metrics, and a list of
deliverables with reasonable dates. No spelling or grammatical errors.
5 17 Same as level 6, but one or two constraints or objectives are poorly written (including objectives
written as constraints, or vise-versa, or constraints that lack a clear criterion for rejection), or lack
very clear metrics. Or design team members are not listed. Or deliverables and dates are not
clear One or two spelling or grammatical errors.
4 15 Same as level 5 but design statement contains an obvious implied solution. Several objectives or
constraints are poorly written (including objectives written as constraints, or vise-versa, or
constraints that lack a clear criterion for rejection), or lack very clear metrics. Objectives or
constraints may appear to be tailored to unnecessarily favor certain solutions. Several spelling or
grammatical errors. If the client’s name is misspelled, this is the highest grade possible.
3 12 Design statement is either too vague to be particularly useful, or too specific to a particular solution.
Numerous spelling or grammatical errors. Objectives and constraints are confused. Important
deliverables or dates are missing.
2 6 Important components of brief are missing, such as the design statement, constraints, or
objectives.
1 0 No design brief, or design brief is in disarray or makes little sense.
This is the rubric I will use to grade the design brief for the team design project. I’m not using it to grade your
homework, but I want you to see how I WILL grade the team design project brief.
Level Points Description
6 20 Design brief follows format given in lecture notes and homework, provides a clear design
statement, constraints and objectives that make sense and contain metrics, and a list of
deliverables with reasonable dates. No spelling or grammatical errors.
5 17 Same as level 6, but one or two constraints or objectives are poorly written (including objectives
written as constraints, or vise-versa, or constraints that lack a clear criterion for rejection), or lack
very clear metrics. Or design team members are not listed. Or deliverables and dates are not
clear One or two spelling or grammatical errors.
4 15 Same as level 5 but design statement contains an obvious implied solution. Several objectives or
constraints are poorly written (including objectives written as constraints, or vise-versa, or
constraints that lack a clear criterion for rejection), or lack very clear metrics. Objectives or
constraints may appear to be tailored to unnecessarily favor certain solutions. Several spelling or
grammatical errors. If the client’s name is misspelled, this is the highest grade possible.
3 12 Design statement is either too vague to be particularly useful, or too specific to a particular solution.
Numerous spelling or grammatical errors. Objectives and constraints are confused. Important
deliverables or dates are missing.
2 6 Important components of brief are missing, such as the design statement, constraints, or
objectives.
1 0 No design brief, or design brief is in disarray or makes little sense.