Using the continuum of design modelling techniques to aid the development of CAD modelling skills in the first year Industrial Design students - summary paper

Industrial Designers need to understand and command a number of modelling techniques to communicate their ideas to themselves and others. Verbal explanations, sketches, engineering drawing, CAD models and physical prototypes are the most used communication techniques. Students first encounter these techniques at school, typically as part of their Design and Technology education, where they tend to be delivered as part of a linear design process with project work progressing through the techniques one after the other. In addition, the range of modelling techniques presents a steep learning curve for the students at the beginning of their studies. Within each modelling technique, similar behaviours are used, such as describing: volumes, cross sections and proportions. At Loughborough Design School, the first year Design Practice 1 (DP1) module applies lessons learnt from design practice in industry (Storer, 2005) and teaches several modelling techniques in parallel. Its aims are to provide the students with an introduction to form analysis and creation through two design and build projects, with a focus on using modelling techniques as a continuum and not a linear process. [...continues]