Lesson 4: CAD Design Development and Feedback

Date: August 28, 2025
Session Time: 8:00am-12:00pm EST
Duration: 4 hours (including 15-minute exercise)

Key Learning Objective

Translating conceptual sketches into detailed CAD models and effectively gathering and incorporating feedback for design improvement.

Lesson Overview

This session focuses on developing more sophisticated CAD skills and learning how to present designs for feedback while maintaining design integrity and project requirements.

Main Activities (3 hours 45 minutes)

  • Advanced CAD modeling techniques
  • Design presentation best practices
  • Feedback collection and analysis methods
  • Iterative design process
  • Design documentation standards

15-Minute Exercise: Design Presentation and Feedback

Exercise Description

Create a simple CAD model of a deck component and practice presenting it to receive constructive feedback, then make one improvement based on the feedback.

Materials Needed

  • Computer with CAD software
  • Previous lesson's CAD model or a simple deck component
  • Presentation software or screen sharing capability
  • Notebook for feedback notes

Exercise Steps (15 minutes)

  1. Model Preparation (3 minutes)
  2. Open your CAD model from the previous lesson
  3. Add one improvement (texture, color, or detail)

  4. Prepare 2-3 key points about your design

  5. Brief Presentation (5 minutes)

  6. Present your model to the group (2 minutes max)
  7. Explain your design choices
  8. Highlight one feature you're proud of

  9. Ask for specific feedback on one aspect

  10. Feedback Collection (5 minutes)

  11. Listen to feedback from others
  12. Take notes on suggestions
  13. Ask clarifying questions if needed

  14. Thank everyone for their input

  15. Quick Improvement (2 minutes)

  16. Choose one piece of feedback to implement
  17. Make the change in your CAD model
  18. Note what you changed and why

Deliverable

  • Improved CAD model
  • Presentation notes (2-3 key points)
  • Feedback notes from others
  • Brief reflection on the improvement made

Success Criteria

  • Presentation is clear and concise
  • Feedback is constructive and specific
  • Improvement is implemented thoughtfully
  • Reflection shows understanding of the feedback process

Integration with Overall Project

This exercise develops the presentation and feedback skills essential for the final project presentation and teaches how to incorporate stakeholder input into design decisions.

Previous Session: Lesson 3: CAD Introduction
Next Session: Lesson 5: Materials Research