1. BISS DP Design Technology
How aware of design are you?
(Planning and Development)
Planning a household appliance: the Domestic Iron
Investigate the design of the domestic iron by considering the following questions.
Also examine the iron you have at home to assist you in your investigation. Later
you will design and develop an innovative Iron
1. Some of the pictures on this page give us clues about the origins of the domestic
iron. Find out about the first irons and how and where they were used.
2. Look at your iron at home. What materials are used in its construction? Or try to
identify as many as possible. Be detailed! Saying plastic or metal is not good
enough, do research to see what materials are used to manufacture an iron.
3. How is heat produced? and how is it controlled?
4. How is heat prevented from burning your hand while you iron?
5. Does the handle get hot during the use of the iron?
6. How does the iron stand when it is not in use or between use? Is there a stand to
help it sit? Is it very stable?
7. How effective is the heat control?
8. Does the shape of the iron help in its use? (eg ironing around buttons etc)
9. Is it heavy to use? Should the iron be lighter? Or heavier? Why?
10. Is there any visual indication that the iron is on?
11. Some irons produce steam. Why?
12. What potential problems might arise when using an iron using hot water and
steam? Is there any part of the design that assists the user when using these
aspects of the iron?
13. If it is a steam iron is there any way you can tell the water level in the iron?
14. Look at the cable inlet into the iron. Is it in the best place? Is it in a difficult place
or does it prove awkward to use?
15. Is the electric cable long enough to use the iron safely? Is it too long? How l.ong
do you think it should be and state why?
16. Do you think any thought has been given to the styling or aesthetics of the iron?
To make it more functional or attractive? Do these two considerations
complement each other or conflict? How or why?
17. How could your iron be improved to make it function better while using it?
18. How long have you had the appliance? Has it ever broken down? Or has
anything broken or fallen off the appliance? If so give details
Read through the following pages to learn more about different design aspects of a
household clothes iron and consumer association and the testing that they do. Answer all
the questions in the pages.

5. With much thanks for material from a D. Hobson DP DT Workshop..

6. Also answer the following questions
Why do you think we need Consumer Associations and why do you think they test
products for quality and safety? What have you learned from this?
In the DT Studio we have a number of Choice Magazines that are the Consumer
Association Magazine for Australia.
Find tests done on one other household product and describe the specifications
tested and what they findings were for those specifications. What kind of tests were they?
Name four different things you have learnt from this assignment. Either about the
products or about the testing processes that have been followed.
You are to complete the following exercises to do your first
Internal Investigation. This is a formal assessment of your work
towards your diploma in DT. You are to be assessed on your
Planning and Development skills. See the assessment sheets for how
you are to be graded for this exercise and ask me if you have any
questions…
Planning Use all of the above information to help you now with the following
exercises
Aspect 1 Defining the Problem (2-3 x A4 pages) Introduction to the activity of
designing a new Domestic Iron. Draw up a Brainstorm of the project (1 x A4 page) and give a description of
why we use this technique. You may include philosophical links or any other important information or data.
Aspect 2 Formulating a Design Brief/Research Question (1 x A4 page)
Create a design Brief for the investigation. It should state the goal of the investigation. (4-6) sentences
minimum. You can explain what you are intending on doing when you are creating a new Domestic Iron.
You also need to list specific research questions that you need to answer so that you can actually go
ahead and design this iron.
Aspect 3 Selecting Specifications (1-2 x A4 pages) Write down detailed and
appropriate criteria of what a new “innovative” domestic iron should do or be like. You must suggest or give
a test of how you can check if you have met this criteria. What are the priorities for your research for this
new iron you are proposing to make.

7. Development The Domestic Clothes Iron.
Aspect 1 Creativity (4-5 x A4 pages)
Sketch 4 different/innovative Domestic Clothes Irons, trying to think of new details or
features that would increase the interest in the appliance by customers. Annotate your
design sketches with appropriate design specification details.
Create a 3- D detailed rendered sketch of an improved Domestic Clothes Iron with at
least three new design specifications and or features that assist or help users of this
particular market.
Aspect 2 Techniques (2-3 x A4 pages)
You are to create a physical scale model of your design. Materials could be Foam
board, Cardboard. Try to make your model as realistic as possible. Photographs of your
model from different directions and annotation explaining what the details are …
Extension exercise to create a 3-D model in a graphic design program eg Sketch-Up
where you can spin the model around and view it from any side.
Aspect 3 Solution (1 x A3 page)
1. Draw a CAD of your “innovative” Domestic Clothes Iron and include at least 8
key dimensions on the C A Design. If possible create a materials list in the top
right hand corner of your Orthographic Drawing.
Websites to help you in your research and design work
http://www.howstuffworks.com
http://www.oldandinteresting.com/antique-irons-smoothers-mangles.aspx
http://www.consumersearch.com/steam-irons/reviews
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-testing/reviews-
tests/appliances-electronics/best-irons-0409?click=main_sr
http://www.choice.com.au/Reviews-and-Tests/Household/Laundry-and-
cleaning/Ironing/Test-Irons-review-and-compare.aspx
http://www.designboom.com
http://www.tuvie.com