A design procedure is a series of steps which guide you through any electronic design-and-make process. Sticking to the procedure will help deliver a first-class product.

Once you have defined the purpose of your project, there are two important documents you need to write. These are:

• The design brief is a short statement of the problem to be solved. The brief should outline the design problem you are tackling, perhaps including one or two of the envisaged design features.
• The design specification is a longer document, including full details of the functional and design features of the finished electronic product as well as information on weight and size, maintenance, cost, and safety.

The specification for an electronic product should include electronic factors such as component details, maximum working voltages, maximum currents, and temperature or frequency ranges.

Ergonomics and Aesthetics

The factors which make a product efficient, safe, and comfortable to use are called ergonomics. Considerations of style the things which make a product look and feel good are called aesthetics. You need to consider both ergonomic and aesthetic factors when planning your designs.

When designing circuits, for example, ensure that switches and other control components are placed so that they can be easily reached, and that output components such as LEDs can be easily seen.

A product s style is a more subjective matter, as different people may have different ideas of what looks good. Think about contemporary style, about what is currently fashionable, when designing your product. You may not want to follow the fashion, but you still need to know what it is!