Real-Life Communication
The most important skill in bicycle design, says designer Steve
Robson, is related more to relationships with people than the design. This
is because Robson designs and builds custom bicycles. He caters to each individual
and their riding needs.
You must be a good listener, says Robson, to
understand what a person needs. "It is important for the designer to clue
into what a person needs and answer without technical terms," says Robson.
"That can lose people's interest, if you don't explain what you mean in a
simpler way."
Clear communication is essential to a customer being
happy with the final bicycle.
Designer Brady O'Hare finds that writing
skills come in handy. Sometimes he is asked to write a technical manual. An
engineer hired to oversee design may find that they also have
to direct a whole department. That can include scheduling workers and corresponding
with dealers.
You are a bike designer in a small company. You have
just been asked to help design a brochure for a technical manual. Since you
designed the bike, your boss figures you will be most comfortable trying to
sell it to the public in a brochure.
Here is the text from a technical
specification manual that will be part of a brochure.
Aluminum
Frame
This frame has enough strength to survive the toughest trails
and falls, and the design helps to absorb shock. To enable the rider to transport
the bike easily, the frame was also designed to be very lightweight. The light
frame also ensures that the rider is able to make the most of their speed
potential.
Wheelset
Also lightweight, these wheels
are designed to assist the rider in speed without compromising strength. The
66-centimeter wheels also contain fewer spokes, to cut down on drag. Our engineers
designed a number of the spokes to be positioned to "pull" the wheel and maximize
the force applied by the rider. The tires are specially designed to "cling"
to the trail, both ascending and descending.
Fork
This
fork is specifically designed to absorb shock and reduce vibration without
excess weight. This component is also equipped with a special feature for
quick and easy wheel removal.
Here are some definitions
to help you out:
Frame: The structure that is the body of the
bike. It supports and holds together the rest of the bike's components.
Wheelset:
The bike's front and rear wheels. Includes tires, spokes, rims, etc.
Fork:
The y-shaped component of the bike that attaches to and supports the front
wheel.
Spokes: The thin metal bars bridging the radius of the
wheel. They provide strength and stability.
Remember that brochures
appeal to a more general audience than technical manuals. They should be easy
to read. Write what you would say in a short brochure that describes the value
of your product.