Design and Communication 4

Overview

There are various design themes on offer which will vary from year to year. Each student will complete some element of the design in the in the first semester and the remainder in the second. In the initial period of each design the students are expected to fully define the design brief after some background research and carry out an options appraisal on their designs.. The precise end point in the exercises is also student defined but must meet the general criteria set down in the outline design brief. Consequently the students are responsible for their own time management in consultation with the design staff. The precise detail and format of the final reports and presentations is also largely at the discretion of the students with the staff closely monitoring and assisting where necessary to ensure that adequate standards are reached. The allocation of tasks within each exercise is heavily influenced by the aspirations of each student. However, this is carefully supervised to ensure that every student is forced to explore new areas to maximise the design experience and thus broaden their knowledge base.

Each theme is subdivided so that every student experiences working in a large group, in a small group and individually. This is organised so that the final mark allocation is split between individual assessment and group contribution with more emphasis on group work at the start of the course and individual design predominating at the end. Consequently the whole group is responsible for the overall design report in each theme backed by small group and individual contributions on detailed design elements. A range of design exercises are undertaken including project planning, outline feasibility studies and detailed design from client's brief to outline costing. This is complemented by training in communication skills which includes confident public speaking, quality presentation, technical report writing, negotiation skills and interview procedures.

Learning Objectives

On completion of this course the student should have consolidated knowledge and understanding gained in the main disciplines of engineering during previous years by application to multidisciplinary design problems.
Appreciate the social, environmental ethical, economic and commercial consequences of exercising engineering judgement used to obtain design solutions.

Application of appropriate engineering design tools to support design solutions.
The ability to comprehend the ‘broad picture’ in the design exercise.
Demonstration of creative and innovative skills.

Skills

The ability to devise practical design solutions to complex multi-disciplinary design problems.
Ability to present often complex information both orally and in written report format
Confident public speaking
Informative presentations
Ability to sift large amounts of information and present the key points
To work constructively as a team member

Assessment

Attendance at all the final design presentations in both semesters
Written contribution to group design reports with contribution clearly identified
Participation in the final group oral presentations
Attendance at weekly group management meetings