An Industrial Trial of a Set-Based Approach to Collaborative Design

Author(s):  
Kaarthic Madhavan ◽  
David Shahan ◽  
Carolyn C. Seepersad ◽  
Danny A. Hlavinka ◽  
Walt Benson

A set-based multiscale and multidisciplinary design method has been proposed in which distributed designers manage interdependencies by exchanging targets and Pareto sets of solutions. Prior research has shown that the set-based method (SBM) has the potential to reduce the number of costly iterations between design teams, relative to centralized optimization approaches, while expanding the variety of high-quality, system-wide solutions. These results have been obtained with representative examples in a laboratory setting. The goal of this research is to investigate whether similar results are obtained from an industrial trial, implemented in an industry design environment. The SBM is applied to the design of a downhole module for our industrial partners at Schlumberger, a developer of oilfield tools and services. The design was conducted on location at Schlumberger by an intern who converted the existing Schlumberger design process into a set-based design process. Results indicate that the SBM delivers the benefits predicted in the laboratory, along with a host of advantageous side effects, such as a library of back-up design options for future design projects.

Author(s):  
Meisha Rosenberg ◽  
Judy M. Vance

Successful collaborative design requires in-depth communication between experts from different disciplines. Many design decisions are made based on a shared mental model and understanding of key features and functions before the first prototype is built. Large-Scale Immersive Computing Environments (LSICEs) provide the opportunity for teams of experts to view and interact with 3D CAD models using natural human motions to explore potential design configurations. This paper presents the results of a class exercise where student design teams used an LSICE to examine their design ideas and make decisions during the design process. The goal of this research is to gain an understanding of (1) whether the decisions made by the students are improved by full-scale visualizations of their designs in LSICEs, (2) how the use of LSICEs affect the communication of students with collaborators and clients, and (3) how the interaction methods provided in LSICEs affect the design process. The results of this research indicate that the use of LSICEs improves communication among design team members.


Author(s):  
Yujing Yang ◽  
Natalie Brik ◽  
Peter de Jong ◽  
Milene Guerreiro Goncalves

AbstractFraming is a crucial skill for connecting problem and solution spaces in the creative design process, both for individuals and teams. Frames are implicit in individuals’ cognitive thinking, but the creation of shared frames plays a vital role in collaborative design. Many studies have attempted to describe the framing process, but little is still known about how to support designers in framing, specifically in teams. This paper addresses this gap, by exploring the connection between sketching and framing within interdisciplinary teams. Following a qualitative and explorative approach, we have investigated the process and outcome of five interdisciplinary teams. We identified that sketching assists in the creation and elaboration of frames. Furthermore, in tandem with discussion and reflection, sketching helps increase the chance of a frame to survive within the design process. Our findings have practical and educational implications for improving the creative design process in interdisciplinary teams.


Author(s):  
Carolynn J. Walthall ◽  
Srikanth Devanathan ◽  
Lorraine Kisselburgh ◽  
Karthik Ramani ◽  
E. Daniel Hirleman ◽  
...  

Wikis, freely editable collections of web pages, are showing potential for a flexible documentation and communication tool for collaborative design tasks. They also provide a medium that can be further transformed by properly understanding both the need for flexibility as well as support for design thinking early in the design process. The purpose of this work is to analyze the different dimensions of the wiki from a communication perspective as applicable to design. With a focus on communication in design, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of using wikis in student engineering design teams. Our ultimate goal is to better support the design process while exploiting the potential for increasing the shared understanding among teams using a wiki. By introducing a wiki in a globally distributed product development course, students gain hands-on experience in using wikis as a design tool. Feedback from students will be collected through questionnaires and used to improve and transform the wiki as a support tool for communication during early design collaboration.


Author(s):  
J Hu ◽  
Y H Peng ◽  
G L Xiong

This article presents a new multi-disciplinary parameter design method. In the proposed method, the multi-disciplinary design process includes constraints modelling, parameter coordination, and parameter optimization. First, the multi-disciplinary constraints model for robust coordination is studied. Second, an approach of multi-disciplinary robust coordination for algebraic and differential constraints is presented to support multi-disciplinary collaborative design. A general algorithm is designed to predict conflict and refine the consistent intervals for parameter coordination. Finally, a multi-disciplinary optimization method is presented. The proposed method is applied to parameter design of bogies, considering design constraints from different disciplines, such as mechanics, cybernetics, dynamics, and so on.


Author(s):  
Michael D. McNeese ◽  
Brian S. Zaff ◽  
Clifford E. Brown ◽  
Maryalice Citera ◽  
Jonathan Selvaraj

The need to understand the design process in all its complexity is motivated by an interest in the development of tools and technologies that would be capable of aiding collaborative design teams. This development effort depends upon an understanding of design activities as they occur within a real world context. Observations of design activities that are made without direct communication with the design team members may fail to capture many of the subtler aspects of the process - aspects that are best understood when described by the design team members themselves. In order to supplement observational studies, this paper presents a case study in which a dialog with members of a variety of collaborative design teams was established in order to elicit information about the nature of collaborative design. A knowledge acquisition technique, concept mapping, was used to achieve an understanding of the role of human factors specialists within the collaborative design process specific to the Air Force's system acquisition program. Results highlight various findings about the nature of design problem solving such as the way different organizational settings influence human factors input in the design process/product. The paper discusses the usefulness of concept mapping to capture in-depth design knowledge and how this type of knowledge complements other approaches to understanding design.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 0-0

The rapid development of information technology (IT) has enabled digital services to evolve continually and support a growing number of internet-enabled devices, along with user diversity. The end-user anticipation within the smart environments, which are internet-enabled, delivery networks and innovative technologies. What tools/methods can support the collaborative design and effectively choreograph the design process with dynamic knowledge between service designers and service users? The cooperative design is recognizable in the design environment with a collection wide-ranged by co-design methods and tools. In-depth interviews uncover contextually appropriate design process requirements from diverse stakeholder groups. A collection of design tools and methods are selected and implemented within a Web-based co-design platform. Uncovered design requirements are subsequently applied in extending the Double Diamond framework prior to operationalization into a design process blueprint with supporting service design tool selection as the main contributions for this paper.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-289
Author(s):  
Renato Godoi da Cruz ◽  
Cláudia Maria Arcipreste ◽  
Rafael Lemieszek Pinheiro ◽  
Rovadávia Aline de Jesus Ribas

Abstract This paper describes the construction of an information flow that combines parametric modelling and genetic algorithms to optimise both the total weight of a structured steel roof and the shape of its surface to maximise the generation potential of photovoltaic energy. Through the systematisation of a design process using genetic algorithms integrated with generative design as an architectural design method, architects can work with problem parameterisation, going one step further than the mere formal proposition of solutions.As a result, we present a process in which there is a dialogical relationship between the architect and project in a continuous flow of information in the initial steps of the design process, guided by predefined optimisation objectives. Therefore, it is relevant to note that the designer accepts a reduced creative control over the final shape in favor of control over the core principles that constitute the optimisation algorithms. An approach that involved the designer in a process of post computational processing evaluations is also highlighted, giving him better support to discuss and analyze the design options.


Author(s):  
Julia KRAMER ◽  
Julia KONG ◽  
Brooke STATON ◽  
Pierce GORDON

In this case study, we present a project of Reflex Design Collective, an experimental social equity design consultancy based in Oakland, California. Since founding Reflex Design Collective four years ago, we have reimagined the role of “designers” to transform relationships structured by oppression. To illustrate this reimagination, we present a case study of our work as ecosystem-shifters. In 2017, we facilitated a co-design innovation summit where unhoused Oakland residents led collaborative efforts to alleviate the burdens of homelessness, with city staff and housed residents serving as allies instead of experts. Our approach to design facilitation differs from a typical design thinking process by pairing our clients with those on the front-lines of social inequity in a collaborative design process. Specifically, we elevate the importance of democratized design teams, contextualized design challenges, and ongoing reflection in a design process. We highlight successes of our design facilitation approach in the Oakland homelessness summit, including outcomes and areas for improvement. We then draw higher-level key learnings from our work that are translatable to designers and managers at large. We believe our approach to equity design will provide managers and designers an alternative mindset aimed to amplify the voices of marginalized groups and stakeholders.


Author(s):  
Rajarathinam Arangarasan ◽  
Rajit Gadh

Abstract Shape modeling plays a vital role in the design process but often it is the most tedious task in the whole design cycle. In recent years the Computer Aided Design (CAD) industry has evolved through a number of advances and developments in design methodology. However, modeling in these CAD systems requires expertise and in-depth understanding of the modeling process, user interface and the CAD system itself, resulting in increased design cycle time. To overcome these problems a new methodology and a system called “Detailed Virtual Design System” (DVDS) has been developed for detailed shape modeling in a multi-modal, multi-sensory Virtual Environment (VE). This system provides an intuitive and natural way of designing using hand motions, gestures and voice commands. Due to the lack of effective collaborative design, visualization and analysis tools, designers spend a considerable amount of time and effort in the group discussion during design process. To enable multiple designers to effectively and efficiently collaborate in a design environment, framework of a collaborative virtual environment, called “Virtual Environment to Virtual Environment” (V2V), has been discussed. This framework allows same site and remote site multi-modal, multi-sensory immersive interface between designers.


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