Sustainable Design Portfolio Assessment - Existing for Environmental Impact Reduction

Assignment Task

Assessment Task 1 (Design Portfolio)

In Sustainable Design unit, the Design portfolio assessment task consists of 10 individual tasks. You will need to change the design (modification) of an existing artefact to have a less negative impact on the environment by completing the tasks described below. Within this assessment guide, detailed requirements for each task are provided, along with sample submissions to aid in understanding. While these examples serve to illustrate the expected format and content, they should not be viewed as comprehensive benchmarks for obtaining full marks. Note that the examples shown in this document are from multiple sources i.e., online sources, and previous submissions, and are partially completed. Students are advised to check the assessment rubric found in the "Assessment Resources" for a thorough understanding of the evaluation criteria. The rubric details the complete range of standards used to assess submissions. For comprehensive alignment with the grading criteria, students should compare their work against the rubric's benchmarks.

Portfolio Item 1 - Problem statement (Description of the design challenge):

You are required to clearly outline the design challenge and articulate the design issue that your project seeks to address. It is an opportunity to select an artefact that sparks your interest and may have a profound connection to you. I strongly encourage you to explore the diverse range of examples available in the “Assessment Resources” folder for inspiration. The artefact you select must have a minimum of five components of sufficient complexity. You may combine smaller parts or separate larger ones as necessary. To illustrate your idea, you may include up to three annotated images (your own taken photos or screenshots). The redesign should focus on the external shell of the product , considering its physical form and user interaction, while internal mechanics or electronics should not be the primary focus.

Once you have chosen your artefact, the next step involves defining your design objectives. While you have the liberty to establish objectives that align closely with your project, at least two of these objectives MUST be dedicated to reducing the environmental impacts associated with using and/or manufacturing the chosen artefact. Possible strategies include designing for longevity, designing for disassembly, or designing for reusability. Please refer to the teaching content from Week 2 for a comprehensive list of sustainable design strategies. Other than these environmentally focused objectives, you are encouraged to consider other goals. These could range from enhancing the product's visual appeal to captivate and engage users (design for aesthetics), to modifying its design to improve compatibility with the human form, making it more intuitive and comfortable to use (design for ergonomics), or any other objectives that you deem most valuable and relevant to your project.

An essential aspect of this task is the prioritisation of your design objectives. This is where you need to reflect on your personal inclinations and the unique circumstances surrounding your project. It is important to remember that the process of prioritising is inherently subjective, and there is no right or wrong way to approach it. Your choices should be informed by what you value most in the context of your project. The word limit for this task is 500.

Problem Statement for a Manual Coffee Grinder

Hario Skerton Plus Ceramic Coffee Grinder is designed for coffee enthusiasts who value the freshness of hand-ground beans, especially in outdoor settings like camping or hiking. While it is admired for its portable size and manual operation, eliminating the need for electricity, the grinder has several design vulnerabilities when it comes to outdoor utility.

Key components of Hario Skerton Plus are displayed in Figure 1, showcasing its current design. It features a cylindrical body made from materials like ceramic for the burrs and a combination of steel and glass for the rest of the structure. Despite these sturdy materials, the grinder’s construction presents issues during transport; its components are sensitive to damage, and the grinding mechanism is prone to wear, resulting in reduced reliability over time.

To ensure the grinder is up to the task of frequent use in various environments, the following design objectives have been established:

• Design for Longevity (Priority: 5/5) : Emphasise enhancing the grinder's resilience against the wear- and-tear of outdoor activities.
• Design for Dematerialisation (Priority: 3/5) : Aim to minimize the grinder's volume without sacrificing its capacity.
• Design for Reliability (Priority: 3/5): The grinding mechanism should be overhauled to prevent loose and rattling issues that suggest premature
• Design for Aesthetic (Priority: 2/5): Enhance the visual appeal of the grinder to complement its functional

These objectives are aimed at transforming Hario Skerton Plus into a more rugged and efficient tool for coffee lovers on the go, ensuring that it stands up to the rigours of travel without compromising on the quality of the grind. The redesign should be sympathetic to the grinder’s original aesthetic and operational principles while introducing innovative solutions to enhance its sustainability and durability.

Portfolio Item 2 - Mind Map

Helps expand thoughts during the design process. It is a brainstorming session on paper that is used to visually outline the design framework. It is generally created around a single objective (node) to which further concepts/implications of your design are added around that. Each node on the mind map is one of the main design objectives e.g. Design for Disassembly, Design for Longevity, Design for Reusability, Design for

Dematerialisation, Design for Manufacturing, Design for assembly, aesthetic and further details or branches around each node provide information about how to address that design objective. Note that the developed mind map should clearly show the design considerations/directions for the whole product or main components of the artefact with references to various features/parts of the artefact.

Portfolio Item 3 - Concept Development and Visualization of Ideas

It requires a deep connection between your mind map (Item 2) and your concept sketches. It is essential to create designs that are directly informed by your mind map's ideas. For each of your concept sketches, provide a narrative that traces the journey from the mind map to the sketch. Explain how elements of your design were conceived from the mind map and annotate these elements directly on your sketches. This will clarify your thought process and demonstrate a strategic approach to design, showing that each feature has been carefully considered and serves a purpose rooted in your initial brainstorming.

Your portfolio should feature a comprehensive suite of 2 to 4 concept sketches. These sketches are integral as they transform your initial ideas from the mind map (Item 2) into tangible design propositions. Ensure each concept sketch adheres to the following:

• Direct Correlation to Mind Map : Illustrate a clear trajectory from the mind map to each sketch. A narrative should accompany every sketch, detailing the evolution of ideas from the mind map to the final design
• Annotated Design Elements : Use concise and clear annotations on your sketches to spotlight the unique aspects of each design. These annotations should clarify the function and rationale behind each feature, guiding the viewer through your design process.
• Significant Design Variations : Display substantial differences between each concept sketch, such as altering fundamental components or overall design structure, to showcase a breadth of innovative
• Multiple Views for Clarity : Where necessary, present your ideas from multiple perspectives to fully communicate the design. Similar to Fig. 3, provide different views (e.g., front, side, top) to ensure all aspects of the concept are
• Page Layout Adjustment : Modify the page layout for the concept sketches to an A3 format within your A4 document if required. This modification is to accommodate detailed annotations and comprehensive visuals, facilitating a clear presentation within the constraints of a single PDF

You have two options for creation and submission. You can either hand-draw your concepts on plain white paper and scan them, or you can use digital tools. If you prefer digital creation, you may use a digital pen or the drawing feature in programs like Microsoft Word, and then directly incorporate these into your portfolio.

Portfolio Item 4 - Evaluation of Design Alternatives

The Concept Analysis task provides an opportunity to practice analysis used to make conceptual design decisions. With 2-4 feasible designs in hand, you need to evaluate the design concepts and choose the “best” or preferred design. The advantage/s of each design concept should be clearly shown. Simple analysis can be used with appropriate discussions to support the rationale of the chosen concept. However, to receive the full mark for this task, it is expected that the concepts were compared to each other by using a weighted-decision matrix or an equivalent tool with appropriate discussions to support the rationale of the chosen concept. The word limit for this task is 500 .

The major aspects of this task are:

• Systematically compare alternative concepts for fulfilling the design objectives as defined in task
• Select the most promising concept for the artefact supported by evaluation of the alternative

Note: The weights of design criteria should be assumed based on the importance of each design objective as you have prioritised them in Task 1.

Portfolio Item 5 - Information Sketch

Information sketch should provide sufficient technical information about your chosen concept, and effectively communicates features, functions, and materials through annotations and supporting graphics.

You should provide hand sketches of the whole assembly (artefact) including:

• 4 x sketches of the artefact showing the whole assembly from isometric, top, side, and front views
• Each drawing should have annotations showing the overall dimensions, and highlighting features, and

Portfolio Item 6 - 3D generated Models

With advances in design and 3D CAD software, prototypes can now easily come alive on a computer screen. You need to develop a 3D model based on your information sketch. Minor changes from the information sketch (Task 5) are allowed. The artefact should have been modelled as an assembly of a minimum of five components.

Your portfolio should include:

• 3 x orthogonal (Front, Top, side views) and 1 isometric view of the whole assembly
• 1 x isometric view of each individual
• The CAD file used to model your product must be uploaded to the same assessment This task will be graded ZERO if the CAD file is not submitted.
• To be assessed for above pass grade for this task, design features created by advanced tools g. 3D sketching, loft with curved paths, surface modifications, and equation-driven curves MUST be annotated on the views describing the tools that have been used.

Portfolio Item 7 - 2D technical drawings

Technical Drawings are the documentation (notes and specifications) to communicate your design. They should provide sufficient information e.g. dimensions, and materials for the parts to be manufactured.

Your portfolio should include:

• One exploded view of the whole assembly with bill of
• One 2D drawing per component with Top, Side, Front, and isometric views with a complete set of dimensions and proper use of cross-section or detail
• CAD drawings are to be exported as PDF files and merged with the rest of the The drawings may be inserted as A3 size or reduced to A4 size

Portfolio Item 8 - 3D Rendered images

Contains a high level of visual realism to fully define the product's appearance. Concepts like superposition may be explored to better demonstrate the context of your design.

Your portfolio should include:

• A minimum of 3 views for the whole assembly of your design with appropriate colour and texture to highlight the features/aspects/context of your design.

Portfolio Item 9 - Infographic

The main purpose of the infographic is a visual representation of information or data in an easy-to-digest format for the non-designer or layperson. It generates context and situational awareness of the product. “A good infographic is worth a thousand words”

Your portfolio should include:

• Rough (1st draft) version of your infographic – to be scanned for
• The final version of your infographic.

Item 10- Critical design review

As part of your portfolio, you will need to complete a critical design review of your 3D modelling design. In this task, you will need to evaluate your design against the project requirements and design objectives and identify any strengths and weaknesses.

To complete this task, you should take the following steps:

1. Review the problem statement and design objectives to ensure that your design meets the required
2. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your design by examining the design documentation and any feedback you may have received from
3. Identify any areas where the design falls short of the original objectives and suggest improvements.
4. Consider the feasibility of implementing any suggested improvements and assess whether they can be achieved within the project
5. Clearly communicate your evaluation in a well-structured report, which should be no more than 500

In your report, provide a brief overview of your design, including its intended use and design objectives. Next, analyse your design's strengths and weaknesses and how it aligns with the project brief and design objectives. Prioritize the most significant strengths and weaknesses and focus on those that are most relevant to the project requirements.

In the suggestions section, propose improvements to the design, considering their feasibility within the project constraints. Explain how these improvements would address the design's weaknesses and help it better align with the project brief and objectives.

In summary, your critical design review report should be concise, and well-structured, and provide a clear evaluation of your 3D modelling design against the requirements and objectives.

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