Lesson 2: Identification of problems

Introduction

You have been introduced to the Design Process in Lesson 1. You've been given all the necessary stages and this chapter will concentrate on the first stage which is 'Identification of problems'. You will then have to frame plausible statements depicting the situation within particular contexts.

Objectives

By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to: explain problem identification techniques discuss how situations should be framed pose examples of situations in two main contexts

Lesson Content

Modification of an existing product in Design & Graphic Communication. Courtesy:commons.wikimedia.org

Identification of problems

The first stage of the design process is the identification of problems. You have to research and identify problems within various contexts. The situation could be a kitchen, a living room, a bedroom of a house. It could be a hospital operation theatre, labour wards etc. It could be a playgrouind for kindergarten kids. It could be an eating spot or cafeteria of an institution, it could be a library, a classroom, a lecture theatre, a workshop or laboratory. Thus, you have to identify the problem within certain contexts.

Writing situations

Having identified the problem, pose statements that portray what you have identified. Two main examples have been posed for you.

Situation 1

In most libraries, places are designed for users to leave their bags and other personal belongings before gaining access to the libraries. Tables serve this purpose in most cases especially University of Education, Winneba, Kumasi Campus library. When one visits the library at peak period (between 10am and 1.00pm), heap of bags and books on the table is so unsightly and makes picking of one's item tedious. If one happened to visit the library early and wants to leave, digging through the heap to pick one's item becomes intolerable. there is a need to tackle this problem

Situation 2

At residence 11 plot 2 at Tanoso, clothes are ironed on tables. Anytime that an item is to be ironed, one has to clear other items like books and files thus wasting time and sometimes getting some important documents mixed up. the hot iron is usually placed on an overturned metallic plate which sometimes burns the ironer when touched. there is a need to tackle these two problems.

Summary

In lesson one, you've been led through how to identify problems. You've also been guided through the writing of situations in different contexts.

Assignment

Identify two problems in stated contexts and pose plausible situations towards their solution

Reading

Willacy, M. D. (1989), Craft, Design, London, Hutchinson (pp34-40).