Design Teams All new commercial products are developed not by one individual but by a design team...

Design Teams All new commercial products are developed not by one individual but by a design team made up of a number of specialised professionals. The exact makeup of a design team is not fixed and will vary from product to product and company to company.

Design Teams - Designer They normally carry the lead role in the team and will have overall responsibility for the development of the new product. This will involve producing sketches/drawings/models and developing the final proposal in order to satisfy the specification. In a small project a single designer will normally both co-ordinate and carryout most of the design work.

Design Teams - Marketing The marketing specialists will initially liase with the sales staff to identify potential niche markets for the product. This will usually involve market research (questionnaires, focus groups, user trials etc) in order to see what the market actually wants and needs. As the design nears completion they will use advertising to inform the public about the product. After the launch the emphasis of the advertising will shift to promote the products features etc.

Design Teams - Sales The sales specialist has detailed knowledge of the companys customers and will be involved in providing information on the market place, competitors products and future trends. They know the companys existing consumers well, but many also commission market research to survey consumers on their thoughts about existing products and their future requirements. Their knowledge is critical when establishing the brief and specification and will normally be able to suggest the price bracket into which the product will have to fit.

Design Teams - Accountant Company accountants will supply ongoing advice on the research and development (R&D) budget and other project costs, as well as providing detail of the financial constraints for the production and marketing of the product with regard to predicted sales and the companys financial position.

Design Teams - Engineer Various engineering specialists will be required to bring technical expertise (electrical, mechanical, computing, material, production etc) to the team. The company may have a product engineer who will accept overall responsibility for the manufacturer of the product. Once the project is completed the product may be manufactured wholly in-house, parts sub-contracted to specialised companies, or standard components sourced and brought in for assembly. The choice of manufacturing/assembly technique to be used will depend on the equipment available, staff skills, and volume of production.

Design Teams - Manufacturer The manufacturer, like the engineer, brings detailed technical information to the team; they will provide detail on the expertise and equipment that the company currently has. They will advise on the workforces training needs, investment in new equipment and the production method (batch, line, mass, flow etc). This is especially important if the designer is not in-house but a freelance design consultant (not permanently employed by the company and brought in just for the project).

The Design Process Problem situation or need Client/customer Design Brief Analysis of Brief Investigation / research Design Specification Generation of ideas Development of ideas Synthesis towards a solution Planning for manufacture Manufacture of prototype Test & Evaluate Market Research

The Design Brief The design brief will state WHAT the problem is, WHY there is a need and WHO are the target market. When writing a design brief the following points should be addressed: What is the nature of the problem/need? Why has the problem/need arisen? What is the target market?

The Design Brief OPEN BRIEF An open brief is one which sets out what has to be designed in fairly general terms. Leaves a lot open to interpretation by the designer (allows a wide range of solutions). Truly original solutions can be explored Disadvantage in that much time and money can be wasted on proposals that may be unacceptable to the client.

The Design Brief CLOSED BRIEF A closed brief sets out the requirements in fairly specific terms. Will highlight major restrictions, areas for research and direct the designer. Gives the client greater control over the process Limits the design teams freedom and can reduce the chance of producing a groundbreaking design.

Example Design Brief Garden tools such as spades, rakes, forks, etc come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The storage of these items in a garage or shed can cause a variety of problems. The tools get tangled up or stuck behind each other. You may require only one tool which is behind the others. Or you could stand on a tool and injury yourself. The main reason that the tools are difficult to store is that they vary in length and that the ends and handles are all different shapes and sizes. A device is required which will store the above items in a space saving manner whilst allowing easy access to each item at any time. Such a device would prevent accidents with such tools whilst making the task of gardening more efficient and enjoyable. The product will retail in the UKs leading DIY store B&Q and will be priced at around 20.

Analysis If we analyse something then we gain a better understanding of what is going on. Brainstorming Brainstorming is a group activity in which people focus their attention on a specific issue or problem and generate a large number of ideas in a short space of time.

Analysis Mind Map May be used to suggest all the possible aspects that will influence the design. Started by writing the name of the problem area in the centre of the page and then noting down all of the possible design aspects around it (mind map). The following aspects may provide a useful starting point: function performance; aesthetic; ergonomics; market; economics. safety environment

Example Mind Map The mind map below shows the initial analysis of the aspects influencing the design of a childs chair:

Task - Brainstorming As a group of 3 or 4 analyse the design brief for garden tool storage and show your discussion in the form of a Mind Map Consider:- function; environment performance; aesthetic; ergonomics; market; economics. safety.

Investigation When researching into the areas identified in the analysis the designer will normally consider: Function: investigate the primary function, secondary function and fitness for purpose. Performance: research into planned obsolescence, value for money, maintenance, environmental concerns, materials & manufacturing processes. Ergonomics: find out about how humans will interact with the product which regards to physiology, psychology and anthropometrics.

Investigation (continued) When researching into the areas identified in the analysis the designer will normally consider: Aesthetics: research into the factors which influence aesthetics, fashion and market trends and style. Market: consideration of consumer demands, social expectations, market niche, branding and introducing a new product. Economics: investigation of cost (fixed and variable), safety, market opportunity, intellectual property rights, value for money and production systems.

Research Research is a vital part of the design process. It is about gathering information that will help take the design forward and as such it must be relevant and taken from a variety of sources including: benchmarking studying the best in class products in the target market. Dismantle and test to understand their design characteristics (reverse engineering); on-site visits; material testing; interviews with experts; questionnaires to users and consumers;

Research Research is a vital part of the design process. It is about gathering information that will help take the design forward and as such it must be relevant and taken from a variety of sources including: Internet searches; safety & environmental investigation; patent office search; interview with the client and their sales department; review of governmental and EU regulations.

Research Knowing what information is required and being able to ask the correct questions is the key to collecting good research material. This research can be taken from primary or secondary sources. Primary research involves the designer gathering information themselves. Secondary research makes use of the results of other peoples investigation. Whether using primary or secondary sources the aim is to gather detailed information about the problem and what the solution has to do.

Research All relevant design aspects must be identified and the following list provides a guide into this information gathering: Product analysis Safety Materials Marketing Cost Environment User Research Thematic Research

Research Product Analysis Look into existing products to see their strengths and weaknesses. Safety Look into the safety aspects and regulations and consider how these will influence the product. Materials What materials and processes are available for suitable to manufacture this product and how may they affect the design?

Research Marketing Investigate the target market - Who is the product aimed at and how would you describe them? i.e. age, gender, job, interests etc. Use a lifestyle board to show the features of this market niche. Cost Using market research to suggest a target price for the product. Environment The need to reduce waste and recycle materials during manufacture and when the product has outlived it usefulness.

Research User Research A marketable product is one which appeals to a wide range of people. To make your product desirable to the customer consider the views of the potential users by conducting a user trip and issuing a questionnaire to target the market. Thematic Research Where style is an important aspect of a product, you may wish to use a theme as a starting point for your design work. The theme could be anything from natural forms to Bauhaus. This research is visual and may be presented as a fact sheet or poster.

Product Design Specification (PDS) A customer has approached us and asked us to produce a design for a chair for their son. In the next few minutes sketch a solution that would satisfy the customer.

Product Design Specification (PDS)

Why the need for a PDS? Can be very easy to misinterpret a design brief and design a product the customer doesn't want. The product design specification will help you understand the problem before you start your design.

Product Design Specification The product design specification (PDS) is a very important part of the design process It contains all the information necessary for a design team to successfully produce a solution The final document should fully describe all the requirements that a product must do together with any constraints that may affect the product.

Design Specification There are many different types of specification; product design, performance, marketing, technical and maintenance. For example, technicians would refer to a maintenance specification for a wind turbine to tell them when and how to lubricate parts, tighten bolts, apply paint, and replace rubber fittings. Although specifications can be boring to read, they account for every detail affecting the product.

Specification for a Computer Chair Easy self assembly using basic tools Hard wearing fabric on seat and backrest Smooth swivel mechanism Removable armrests Must come in a variety of colours Must be height adjustable Must have 5-point star base with castors

Design Specification A product design specification (PDS) is a statement of the features that the finished product must possess in order to satisfy the design brief. The PDS should be unambiguous and list all the requirements of the product. The client, who set the design brief, should be fully consulted as their needs are of paramount importance.

Sample Question Outline a product specification for the Condiment set in relation to its intended target market Condiment Set A Price: 24.95 Material: Beech, also available in walnut. Description: The manual twist mechanism for the pepper mill is crafted from solid, cutlery grade stainless steel to withstand the rigors of commercial use. The pepper mill is constructed with an internal spring tension system which allows it to be adjusted to mill very fine to coarse pepper.

Answer The condiment set must:

Sample Question Outline a product specification for the Condiment set in relation to its intended target market Condiment Set B Price: 55.00 Material: Stainless steel with brushed finish. Description: Designed for cooks who love gadgets. With a twist of the wrist, the electric mills lock into 6 pepper and 3 salt grind adjustments. The pepper mill features an original Peugeot case- hardened steel milling mechanism, while the salt mill contains a stainless steel mechanism that will not corrode from the salt. The acrylic section allows easy viewing of contents. A touch of a button activates the mill and its illuminating lamplight. Each use six AAA batteries.

Answer

Reasons for Evaluating We often evaluate products before we buy them so that we can get the best buy. We may compare the product to other similar products, look at and touch it. We may even ask for our friends for their opinion if they already have the product.

Reasons for Evaluating We can also consult materials which are commercially produced. These include the Which magazine which carries out evaluations on a wide range of products. Designers often evaluate products to try to improve them or to identify a market opportunity.

What Should We Evaluate? The aspects evaluated will depend on the product. They may be physical aspects or the components of the product, e.g. the effectiveness of the brakes of a bike of the comfort of the seat of the bike.

What Should We Evaluate? They may also be design issues (see Pages 26- 49) such as AESTHETICS or ERGONOMICS. The aspects chosen to be evaluated should be appropriate to the product, e.g. there is little value in evaluating the aesthetics or the life span of a disposable razor.

Methods of Evaluation The methods used to evaluate the product will depend on the aspects to be evaluated. The methods include: Questionnaires Tests User Trials Comparison to other products

Methods of Evaluation Questionnaires Particularly useful for aspects which are based on opinion, e.g. aesthetics. Care must be taken in designing the questionnaire. Page 64 on Factors that Influence Design booklet.

Methods of Evaluation Tests Many types of products can be evaluated through physical tests. Examples of these include: Opening and closing of drawers. Drop tests on seating. Testing of footwear There are commercial companies which carry out tests on products or sell equipment to test products.

Methods of Evaluation Tests

Methods of Evaluation User trials/trips Useful for aspects of function such as ease of maintenance, Also useful for evaluating ergonomics. The users can be watched using the product and your observations noted. They can also be asked to use the product and to fill in an evaluation report. This type of report is done on many technical type products such as sports goods.

Methods of Evaluation User trials/trips Trainers Examples http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120, s6-240-400--13856-0,00.html http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120, s6-240-400--13856-0,00.html

Methods of Evaluation Comparison to other products This is useful for aspects such as VALUE FOR MONEY. It may be used as part of a questionnaire. Which magazine often uses this type of evaluation method and awards marks or stars to similar products under a range of headings.

Methods of Evaluation PRICENO. OF BLADES PRICE OF BLADES BEARD TRIMMER? Gillette Fusion ProGlide Manual Razor 9.99517.49 for 6Y King of Shaves Azor 5 razor 3.4957.19 for 4N Wilkinson Sword Hydro 3 6.39310.50 for 8N

Display of Results It is important that the results of the product evaluation are clearly described. The results should be displayed in a structured manner.

Display of Results The information is generally displayed by a mixture of text and graphics. You should think carefully about the methods you use. Graphics such as photographs or graphs will brighten up a report. However, this has to be balanced against the time it takes to do them.

Display of Results Use of electronic questionnaires, such as www.surveymonkey.com or www.freeonlinesurveys.com will speed up the generation of graphs. Reports can be enlivened by quotes from respondents which support your results.

Conclusions The conclusions are normally listed aspect by aspect. They must be based on the results of the research. If you have obtained research evidence, make sure you use it in your conclusions!

Design Teams All new commercial products are developed not by one individual but by a design team...

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