Page 21 - First Year Handbook

Iterative Design: A design methodology based on a cyclical process of prototyping, test-
ing, analysing, and refining a product. Used to improve the quality and functionality of a
design over multiple iterations.

Material Selection: The process of choosing appropriate materials for a product based on
performance criteria, cost, manufacturing techniques, and environmental impact.
Mock-Up: A full-size model of a design used for demonstration, promotion, or testing pur-
poses, typically non-functional and used to visualise the appearance of the product.
Modularity: The design approach where a product is composed of independent or inter-
changeable modules, allowing for easier repair, customization, or upgrade by users.

Mood Board: A visual tool that conveys the overall essence of a project, used in design to
inspire and consolidate an aesthetic feel.

Prototype: A preliminary model of a product used for testing and evaluation, enabling
designers to explore ideas and improve the design before final production.
Storyboarding: A visual representation of how a story will unfold, scene by scene, or a
visual representation of an interaction sequence in product design, often used in plan-
ning the user experience.
Sustainability: Designing products in a way that considers the environmental impact,
aiming for minimal waste and energy use, to support ecological balance.
Tolerance: The permissible limit of variation in a physical dimension or measurement,
important in ensuring parts fit and function correctly.

Unobtrusive: In design, this refers to a product or feature that does not interfere with
the user’s experience but seamlessly supports user activity without drawing attention to
itself.

Usability Testing: The process of testing a product with real users to gauge its usability
and the user experience it offers.

Usability: The ease with which a user can interact with a product, often focusing on sim-
plifying the user interface and enhancing the user experience.
User Experience (UX): The overall experience a user has with a product, especially in
terms of how pleasing and responsive the product is.
User Interface (UI): The space where interactions between humans and machines occur,
aimed at facilitating operations and providing effective control to the user.

User Persona: A fictional character created to represent different user types within a
targeted demographic that might use a site, brand, or product in a similar way.