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Facing hurdles in design or sketching? As a student, do you grapple with balancing schoolwork and creative pursuits? This blog provides in-depth, tailored advice, directly tackling issues in design, sketching, and academic management. It's a place where you may find the necessary support and guidance to overcome these challenges. (Copyright © 2007-2024 Daniel Lim) Feel free to share the topics you're eager to explore in this blog. Additionally, if my content has inspired or aided you, I'd love to hear about it. Your feedback is invaluable.

17 February 2023

Mastering Product Understanding: A Guide to Using Sketches and PMI Technique for Effective Product Research

Welcome to this guide on how to study and understand a product's design and functionality using sketches and annotations.

It's essential to have a good understanding of how products work and the benefits they offer. 

This guide is designed to help you develop your skills in product research and analysis, using simple and effective techniques. 

Whether you are a student looking to improve your research skills or a teacher hoping to inspire your students, this guide will provide you with practical tools and strategies to enhance your understanding of product design and functionality. So, let's dive in!

1. Guide to studying how a product works and using sketches and annotations to illustrate your understanding:
  1. Start by identifying the product you want to study and make sure you have access to it.
  2. Observe the product carefully and try to understand its overall design and purpose.
  3. Break down the product into its individual parts and identify how they work together to make the product function.
  4. Create a sketch or diagram of the product and label each part with its name and function.
  5. Use arrows or lines to show how each part connects or interacts with other parts of the product.
  6. Take notes on any unique or interesting features of the product and how they contribute to its overall performance.
  7. Try to use the product yourself, if possible, to gain a better understanding of how it works in real-world situations.
  8. Make any necessary updates to your sketch or annotations based on your hands-on experience.
  9. Review your notes and sketches to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the product's design and functionality
  10. Use your sketches and annotations to create a summary or report of your findings to communicate your understanding of the product to others.

By following these steps, you can gain a deeper understanding of how a product works and use sketches and annotations to effectively communicate that understanding to others.

2. How to use P.M.I. technique for Product Research:
  1. Start by researching a product you're interested in studying.
  2. Look for the Plus point or the good aspects of the product. These can be advantages or benefits that make it stand out from its competitors.
  3. Note down these Plus points and make sure to understand how they contribute to the overall success of the product.
  4. Next, identify any Interesting features of the product. These are the unique or unexpected aspects of the product that might surprise you or make it stand out even more.
  5. Avoid focusing on the Minus part or the negative aspects of the product. This is not the objective of the research and can lead to unnecessary criticism or fault-finding.
  6. Remember that all products are designed and manufactured for specific purposes and functionalities. Avoid assuming that a product should perform a certain function that it's not designed for.
By following these steps, you can use the P.M.I. technique to conduct effective product research and gain a better understanding of what makes a product successful.

A video post on P.M.I. can be found HERE.

3. Mastering Specificit to Drawing Accurate Conclusions from Product Research:

While it's essential to have a solid understanding of how products work and the benefits they offer, however, it's not enough to conduct research alone - you also need to draw specific conclusions that accurately reflect the findings of your research.

That's why we've put together another guide to help you be more specific when concluding from your product research. By following the practical tips and strategies, you'll gain the skills you need to draw accurate and meaningful conclusions that can inform future research and development in your coursework. 

In this guide you will find the following 5 simple steps with examples:

    
Extract from the Guide

The Ultimate 5 Steps to Concluding Product Research
  1. Start with a clear research question
  2. Identify key features and functions
  3. Provide specific examples
  4. Avoid vague language
  5. Consider alternative conclusions

Drawing specific conclusions is a crucial aspect of product research that should not be overlooked. By following the 5 simple steps and examples provided in this guide, you can improve your ability to draw accurate and meaningful conclusions from your product research. 

These skills can help you make more informed decisions, drive innovation in your coursework, and ultimately contribute to the advancement of knowledge and understanding.

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Let me know in the comments what else you like to learn and watch.

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16 February 2023

The ULTIMATE Design Considerations and Design Specifications Guide


Take advantage of a $5 discount by using the code [FIVEOFF] during checkout. Limited to the first 5 customers

Are you a student struggling to create well-formulated design specifications? Look no further, because The ULTIMATE Design Considerations and Design Specifications Guide is here to help!

This guide is specifically designed to be easy-to-use, providing step-by-step prompts and instructions that will guide you through the process of creating effective design considerations and constraints. Simply follow the prompts, and you'll be able to create a set of design specifications that will help you to achieve your design goals.







But that's not all – The ULTIMATE Design Considerations and Design Specifications Guide is also a valuable resource for teachers. 

As a teacher, you can use this guide as a teaching tool, helping your students to understand the roles of design considerations and constraints in the design process. The customizable format in a WORD document allows you to adapt the guide to fit the specific needs of your students, making it a great tool for differentiation in the classroom.

With this guide, you and your students will be able to:

  1. Understand the importance of design considerations and constraints

  2. Follow a step-by-step process to create effective design specifications

  3. Apply this process to any design project

  4. Benefit from a dummy-proof template that is easy to use

So why wait? 

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Let me know in the comments what else you like to learn and watch.

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13 February 2023

The 2023 Gantt Chart

2023 Gantt Chart is available NOW.

Visual representation of the Design & Technology coursework project timeline

  • Fully customizable to fit individual needs
  • Pre-shaded timeline for convenience and time-saving
  • Pre-loaded design process attributes for immediate use
  • Printable for a physical copy of project plan at hand
  • Ideal for both teachers and students in Design & Technology


The Gantt Chart template is an efficient and time-saving solution for both teachers and students in Design & Technology.

The pre-shaded timeline and pre-loaded design process attributes make it easy to jump right into the project planning process, saving valuable time and effort. 

The customizable EXCEL feature allows users to adjust the chart to their specific needs, making it a versatile tool for any project. And with the ability to print and have a physical copy at hand, users can stay organized and on track.

The first 5 customers who use the discount code [FirstFIVE2OFF] will receive $2 off the 2022 version of the Gantt Chart. Which ain't too far off from the 2023 version. 

This is a great opportunity for those looking for a convenient and time-saving solution for their project planning needs. So, don't miss out and grab this amazing deal now!

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Let me know in the comments what else you like to learn and watch.

FOLLOW and LIKE on Facebook to get updates as soon as a new post is up: https://www.facebook.com/designjournalsos

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Mastering Unfamiliar Themes: A Simple Guide to Kickstart Your Design & Technology Coursework

Embarking on a  Design & Technology (D&T) project can be an exciting journey but students often find themselves at a crossroads when...