The term modular design can be used in all different sectors. Before you can understand the term itself, you need to understand what modular means on its own. A modular is something, like a bit or furniture or a home, that is built, produced or organised in independent units that are self-contained.

Depending on which sector the full term (modular design) is being used in, a modular design will relate to different things. To define modular design in simple terms, it is the method use to design an object. In any sector, there are two separate systems of design you can use. The most obvious way is to design the object is in real-life conditions using well-known theories. Conversely, the second way to design the object is to design each component separately. Without context, modular design can be very confusing to understand. However, when it is put into context it is very simple and clear what the term modular design actually means.

Examples Of Modular Design

For example, if you were to use modular design when building a house, you would be designing and producing separate components (also know as modules) off-site, which would then come together with other modules on-site to create a building.

With this example, you can now get a better understanding how modular design can be relevant to a number of different sectors. Another example would be a website design. A modular website design would be unresponsive and each component would be created individually.

Defined In Simple Terms

Modular design is basically a method that divides a system or project into smaller segments, which can then be brought together to function as one. The main thing to note about modular design is that it refers to small parts that are create independently yet can still be used in different systems to power manifold functionalities.

Characteristics of a Modular System 

A modular design or system can be characterised in several different ways, which is interchangeable depending on the sector it is used within. One of the main characteristics would be a system broken down into small modules that are reusable, discrete and scalable. Another would be for the system’s elements and modules to be self-contained and fully functional. A modular system allows for flexibility in a design as you can simply add solutions to the system by purely plugging in another module. In turn, this also means that you can fix the system without having to replace everything.