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 |