The Virtual Environment in Design Projects

Abstract

Traditionally design projects for students have been based around conventional sketching methods, soft models and marker renderings. As we enter the 'Information Age', it is important that designers are taught to address matters such as Graphical User Interfaces, the design of controls for technology based products . In this paper we report on:

A) Systems-based design projects where matters of Information Ergonomics and GUI's are addressed.

B) The use of 3D CAD models as a way of presenting a final design project.

C) True virtual prototyping and evaluation. This area is currently in the research stage where a 3D CAD model of a product is tested for usability exclusively in the virtual environment.