ITERATIVE - doing something again and again, usually to improve it
Show iterative improvement throughout the design, development, testing and feedback process throughout the process of your project, document the entire process.
Iterative improvement is a design method based on a cyclic process of prototyping, testing, analyzing, refining & feedback by others throughout the design process.
This process is intended to ultimately improve the quality & functionality of a design.
NZQA's description of "iterative improvement".
www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/subjects/digital-technologies/clarifications/level-1/iterative
"Iterative improvement requires that the learner develop a functional outcome using documented cycles of improvement. This may include adding features to the outcome. This needs to be shown through deliberate cycles of improvement based on testing and trialling rather than just incremental development.
Iterative improvement should be aimed at making a better product.
This evidence (drawings/models/photos/images/text) of iteration needs to be provided for moderation.
Students should be able to provide sufficient evidence of the development of the outcome".
The wheel was 'invented' in the Stoneage 3500BC. The wheel's iterative improvement has gone from a rough round shape to a regular circle shape & different materials like stone, wood, steel & rubber. Modern iterative wheel designs include triangle wheels, wheels made of objects like the boot-wheel bike & skateboard wheel. 3D printed airless tires are the next iteration of the wheel.
The first computer mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963, patented in 1967 & shown in 'The mother of all Demos' in 1968. This image shows the 55 years of iterative design development of the mouse. Eye control computer, no mouse is an iteration of the mouse.
The iterative design process flows like a circle; always repeating the same process.
Defining users needs > design ideas > drawings & physical models > 3D modeling prototyping > feedback from others > analyzing feedback > evolve design > feedback from others > repeat the process several times to improve your design.
How to iterative design draw. Consider the project design brief. What are the key words? Do lots of research. What are your first impressions of the project? Do lots of drawings to consider your designs ideas. Get feedback from others about your designs. Ask yourself; how can I make my design better? Then do more drawings to improve your design ideas. Do iterative drawings to refine your design ideas. Get more feedback. Do more research about new ideas you have had during the design process. Draw detailed drawings of your ideas. Follow the cyclic process.
These snake drawings are an example of iterative design drawings. I wanted to draw a single line drawing of the snake. My first drawing was so budget! So I drew 6 more versions of the snake until I got it the result I was happy with like the drawing example. Draw a snake like I have. Then do single line drawings of your ideas. Its a good drawing technique to practice.
To practice the iterative design drawing process, try this exercise. Pick 4 letters of your name or someone elses and do design drawings for a tattoo that represents you or them.
My example: Ive done about 80 tattoo design drawings with LAST letters using the iterative design process - lots of drawings! Each drawing took no more than 2 minutes. Some designs I like, some are budget. The next stage would be to decide on the 3 designs I like the most and do more refined drawings of them and get feedback from others.
