| Term |
Explanation |
| 2D |
two dimensional |
| 2D modelling |
a geometric model of an object as a two-dimensional figure |
| 3D |
three dimensional |
| 3D modelling |
is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object |
| aesthetic |
refers to those principles governing the nature and appreciation of beauty in design |
| aims |
the objectives or goals |
| analyse |
identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications |
| animation |
moving images created from drawings or models that are photographed or created by computer |
| annotate |
to add brief notes to sketch or design giving explanation or comment |
| anthropometry |
the measurement of the human individual, these measurements are used to inform standard measurements in design |
| Applications (apps) |
an application program is a computer program designed to perform a group of coordinated functions, tasks |
| appraise |
assess the value or quality of appreciate make a judgement about the value of applyuse or employ knowledge and skills in a particular situation |
| architecture |
the art or practice of designing buildings |
| assess |
make a judgement about, to rate, weigh up, to form an opinion |
| asymmetry |
a way of organising the parts of a design so that one side differs from the other without destroying the overall balance and harmony; also called informal balance |
| augmented reality (AR) |
a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view |
| balance |
an even distribution of visual weight |
| basic |
essential or elementary |
| binary format |
a binary format is a format in which file information is stored in the form of ones and zeros |
| Computer Aided Design (CAD) |
the use of computer systems to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design |
| Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) |
an application technology that uses computer software and machinery to facilitate and automate manufacturing processes |
| clear |
easy to understand, fully intelligible, without ambiguity; explicit |
| client |
a person, or group of people, for whom a design is being developed |
| coherent |
orderly, logical and internally consistent relation of parts |
| collaborative |
to work with another person or group in order to achieve or do something |
| communicate |
convey information about, clearly reveal or make known |
| compare |
estimate, measure or note how things are similar or dissimilar |
| concept |
an abstract idea, the start of a design |
| concept sketch |
freehand drawings that are used by designers as a quick and simple way of exploring initial ideas for designs |
| conflict resolution |
a way for two or more people to find a constructive solution to a difference of opinion |
| consider |
formed after careful thought |
| contrast |
the arrangement of opposite elements (e.g. light vs. dark colours, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes) in a design so as to create visual interest |
| critically |
add a degree or level of accuracy, depth, knowledge and understanding, logic, questioning, reflection and quality to analysis/evaluation |
| describe |
recount, comment on, and provide an account of characteristics or features |
| design |
a solution, the process of creating a solution |
| design brief |
a written document for a design project specifying parameters |
| design thinking |
a process-based approach which uses an iterative approach to solve problems |
| detailed |
meticulous, specific, precise |
| develop |
construct, elaborate or expand on an opinion or idea |
| digital asset |
a digital asset is any text or media that is formatted into a binary source and includes the right to use it |
| digital imaging |
digital Imaging is a broad term applied to the recording of images electronically, conversion of those images into a set of numbers, storage of those numbers in a computer, and manipulation with computer programs |
| digital fabrication |
a type of manufacturing process where the machine used is controlled by a computer. The most common forms of digital fabrication are 3D printing, laser cutting and CNC machining |
| direction |
an element of design, all lines have direction - Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique |
| discuss |
talk or write about a topic, taking into account different issues and ideas |
| document |
to create a record of (something) through writing or record keeping |
| elements and principles of design |
components that comprise a design, such as line, colour, shape, texture, form and space |
| emphasis |
a principle of design that refers to a way of combining elements to stress the differences between those elements |
| enterprise |
a project or undertaking |
| evaluate |
appraise, measure, examine and judge the merit, significance or value of something |
| exemplary |
an outstanding example of practice |
| explain |
provide additional information that demonstrates understanding and reasoning; present a meaning with clarity, precision, completeness, and with due regard to the order of statements in the explanation |
| form |
the visible shape or configuration of something |
| function |
the purpose for which something is designed or exists |
| graphic |
a drawing or picture used to illustrate |
| graphic organisers |
tools to help to help people to organise ideas and communicate more effectively |
| hardware |
computer hardware is the physical parts or components of a computer, such as monitor, keyboard, computer data storage |
| harmony |
harmony is the combination or adaptation of parts, elements or related things, so as to form a consistent and orderly whole |
| hierarchy |
a principle of design which refers to the order in which the elements within a composition are viewed by the eye |
| identify |
name, list and establish or indicate who or what something is |
| integrate |
combine one thing with another to form a whole |
| interpret |
explain the meaning of information or actions |
| innovative |
introducing new ideas or being original and creative in thinking |
| investigate |
carry out an inquiry to discover and examine facts |
| isometric |
isometric projection is a method for visually representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions |
| iteration |
the process of repeating a design to improve it |
| justify |
support a conclusion or design decision |
| line |
an element of design referring to linear marks which draw they eye along |
| mass |
the visual weight or actual weight of an object |
| mind map |
a diagram used to visually organise information |
| motion graphics |
pieces of digital footage or animation which create the illusion of motion or rotation |
| negotiation |
communication between two or more people which is intended to reach a beneficial outcome |
| organise |
systematically order and arrange |
| orthographic |
an orthographic drawing is a method that allows someone to represent a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional piece of paper. By drawing the object for a various angles, the artist is able to show how the object looks in the real world. |
| outline |
give the main features or aspects of |
| pattern |
a repeated decorative design |
| perspective |
perspective drawing is a drawing technique used to illustrate dimension through a flat surface. There are many forms including one perspective, two-point perspective, three-point perspective |
| problem |
a question proposed for solution |
| proportion |
the relationship between a part in comparative relation to a whole |
| prototyping |
an early model of a design or product built to test a concept |
| range |
a number of different things of the same general type; breadth |
| rapid prototyping |
rapid prototyping is a group of techniques used to quickly fabricate a scale model of a physical part using three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD) data |
| raster |
an image made of pixels |
| rationale |
a set of reasons or a logical basis for an action |
| relevant |
applicable and pertinent |
| repetition |
repeating something e.g. part of a design in a pattern |
| research |
investigation into and study of materials and sources |
| resolved |
completed with a level of refinement and clarity of purpose/vision |
| rhythm |
rhythm in design is created by the repetition of a design element |
| scale |
reducing or enlarging an object whist maintain proportion and relationship of objects |
| scale sketch |
sketching whist maintaining a representative scale. Scale sketches are often used in situations where relative size important but a full blown technical drawing is not required |
| select |
choose in preference to another or others |
| software |
software is a collection of instructions that enable the user to interact with a computer, its hardware, or perform tasks |
| solid modelling |
solid modelling is a consistent set of principles for mathematical and computer modelling of three-dimensional solids |
| solution |
the means of solving a problem, a design solution is a proposed solution to a design brief |
| space |
the extent of area in two or three dimensions |
| special effects (SFX) |
illusions or visual tricks used in the film, television, theatre, video game, and simulator industries to simulate the imagined events in a story or virtual world |
| summarise |
express, concisely, the relevant details |
| sustainable design |
the philosophy of designing to comply with the principles of social, economic, and ecological sustainability |
| symmetry |
the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis |
| synthesise |
to combine so as to form a new, complex product |
| technological |
relating to or using technology |
| texture |
element of design that refers to the perceived surface quality or “feel” of an object—its roughness, smoothness, softness, etc. this can refer to the actual physical texture of a surface or the illusion of texture |
| time management |
management and organisation of available time and tasks to be completed |
| tone |
the lightness or darkness of a colour (value) |
| vector |
a type of graphical representation which uses math to draw shapes using points, lines and curves |
| virtual reality (VR) |
the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment |
| visual communication |
the communication of ideas and information in forms that can be read or looked upon |
| visual effects (VFX) |
the processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shot |