The virtual environment in design projects

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 the challenges that technology brings and also to utilise its benefits in the product development process. In this paper we report on: A) Systems-based Design projects tackling Information Ergonomics and Graphical User Interfaces - We present case accounts which indicate the potential of interactive screens. We report that these provide a realistic Graphic User Interface for a product so that proper Information Ergonomic analysis can take place. The main attraction of the Systems Design approach is that it allows students to gain an insight into the ways in which products interact with one another and with the user. B) The use of virtual and actual 3D CAD models as a way of presenting a traditional Industrial/Product design project. - We consider the advantages that the latest CAD modelling techniques can enjoy over traditional model-making and how the two can be used in sympathy. (Supported by case account)