Product Design
Higher Prelim Notes
TIPS
-When you are asked to STATE something you are only being asked to name whatever you
are being asked e.g. State 2 materials that could be used? Aluminium and Stainless Steel
could be used
-When you are ask to JUSTIFY this means that you need to back up you answer with an
explanation of why you believe what you are saying E.g. A User Trial could be used because
..........
-When you are asked to EXPLAIN this means that you have to explain yourself either by
giving an explanation or by giving an example.
-JUSTIFY AND EXPLAIN ARE VIRTUALLY THE SAME
-IF YOU ARE BEING ASKED ABOUT A SPECIFIC PRODUCT THEN THINK THINK THINK THINK
ABOUT THAT PRODUCT, HOW IT USED, APSECTS OF IT, ERGONOMICS OF IT AND GIVE
EXAMPLES ABOUT THAT PRODUCT.
-YOU MUST BE SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT PRODUCT NOT GENERIC.
Specifications are statements of the characteristics a design must possess in order to meet the requirements of the
Design Brief. It sets a criteria that should be met when designing a product. The areas that should be considered when
writing a specification are:
- Function
- Materials
- Manufacture
- Ergonomics
- Aesthetics
- Safety
- Ease of Use
When you are asked to write a specification here is what you should consider:
1) What INFORMATION has already been given in the question that I can use as part of
my outline specification?
2) What are the SAFETY requirements of the product?
3) What assumptions can I make about PERFORMANCE?
3) How has ERGONOMICS influenced the design of a product?
4) How has AESTHETICS been used to influence the appeal of the product?
5) What FEATURES/FUNCTIONS have been included in the product to improve its function?
When considering the USE OF MATERIALS you should consider the following:
1) In what type of ENVIRONMENT is the product expected to be used?
2) Consider the SAFETY of the person who uses the product?
3) How is the product expected to perform its FUNCTION? (weight, strength, stability etc)
3) Consider the AESTHETICS of the product to its intended market group
4) What type of MANUFACTURING PROCESSES have been used to make the product?
5) Is the material able to be RECYCLED or REUSED?
TOP TIP:
If you are asked to JUSTIFY something you should give a reason which supports your claim that
what you state is true. E.g. Stainless Steel is used in the kettle this is important as it does not
corrode which is vital for a metal that will come in contact with water.
FUNCTION is simply what is this product meant to do and what needs to be
done to allow the product to carry out it is meant to do.
When considering the influence of FUNCTION you should consider the
following:
1) Is the product FIT FOR PURPOSE and makes it so?
2) What is the main purpose of the product and how does it perform that purpose?
(manually, electronically)
3) How is the product being used? (duration of time, number of times etc)
3) Is it important that the product be clean? (Hygiene)
4) Does the product need refilled?
5) Does the product need to be maintained?(Battery Changing)
When considering AESTHETIC appeal to consumers you should consider?
1)
-
Aesthetic appeal to the intended market group
Traditional/Homely/Modern/Sleek/Stylish/Simplistic/Quirky/Futuristic
How is the shape, how would you describe it?
Does the product look easy and comfortable to use for age of user
Will it compliment existing similar products?
If colours are available are there enough options?
2) SAFETY features?
3) Brand name and reliability
3) Cost compared to other similar products
4) Features and functions and what benefits they provide?
TOP TIP:
When you make a claim that a product would appeal to a consumer try to support the claim with a reason.
For Example, It is true that kettle A has a range of features but its appeal is that consumers will find that
these features make the kettle more convenient to use.
If possible write about different things for each product.
When considering ERGONOMICS appeal to consumers you should consider?
REMEMBER that ERGONOMICS is the design of products to with human beings at the heart of the design. How do they
Interact with product. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR A HUMAN TO USE.
Anthropometrics
Physiology
Psychology
Anthropometrics deals with the measurements of the physical characteristics of human beings. However human
beings come in different sizes this is provided for in Anthropometrics as there are what are called percentiles.
5th Percentile – Smallest
50th – Average
95th – Largest
Consider what part of the body is touching the product, and why is this important.
Physiology, Products must be designed to avoid stress, strain, fatigue, and injury to a person using a product. A persons
strength, muscle control, posture, flexibility, joint movements and reaction times must be considered.
E.G. How does a person, pick up, push, lift, open, close, hold, put down, weight of item, surface texture to prevent slips
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO MAKE THIS PRODUCT EASIER TO USE REGARDS PHSIOLOGY
Psychology, Mental and emotional triggers can stimulate human behaviour. It is important to design products that
appeal to people. How people receive, perceive and process information is important in design.
This may include the thinking that is product, is safe, easy to clean, maintain, etc
Injection Moulding – Is used when a large number of plastic components are required , very accurate very
quick. Plastic granules are heated until soft enough to be injected under pressure into a
mould. It then cools then can be removed.
Plastic is granules are heated until
soft
Plastic injected in mould and
compressed
Plastic is allowed to cool and mould
formers removed
Why Injection Moulding?
-
The Process is very accurate, which is important with snap fit lids
Textures can be applied can be applied
Air tight seals are made possible by using this process
High volume production results in mass production with varied shapes and thickness possible
Visual Evidence?
-
Sink and injection pin marks
Difference in material thickness
Split lines
Material Used?
-
Polypropylene
Vacuum Forming – involves a a thin sheet plastic being heated and a mould pushed into it to form the shape. A
variety of colours are available, and moulds are very cheap. The whole process can be completed in a few minutes.
Why Vacuum Forming?
-
Thousand can be produced at a time using large sheets
Low cost materials which keeps the manufacture cost down
Simple designs that are low quality and suitable for throw away items e.g. food
Visual Evidence?
-
Rounded corners
Simple shapes
No complex texture detail
Material thickness the same
Material Used?
-
Polystyrene
Rotational Moulding – is used to produce “closed and seam free” made from plastic polymers. The products
produced are hollow and stress free and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Moulds are from steel.
Why Rotational Moulding?
-
Tough rigid shapes can be made
Hollow sections with same thickness
Fast production and process is automated keeping costs low
Symmetrical designs can be made
Quality is assured as all products are the same
Durability
Durability basically means that a product will withstand wear, tear and decay.
Answering a question
You should mention the part of the product or the product, how it is a durable and an explanation as to why
has to be durable.
PRODUCT PART
HOW
EXPLANATION
Rapid Prototyping
Rapid prototyping is the automatic construction of physical objects using additive manufacturing technology. A
drawing is done on a 3D software program (Inventor) this model is then produced using Rapid Prototyping giving you
the designer an example of the product almost immediately.
Advantages – Alterations can be done and new models produced very quickly
- Cost reducing regards hiring a skilled model maker
- Excellent visual aid that can be used to show clients
- Allows for a very accurate model to made
- Allows the designer hands on time with product so can assess, ergonomics, stability, aesthetics
When considering evaluating a product you could consider?
USER TRIALS
A User Trial is where a user will use the product to see how it performs in specific
aspects. A clear cross section of the target market should be chosen. A User trial
allows a designer to generate improvements to a product and changes that a designer
or manufacturer may not otherwise consider.
A USER TRIAL COULD BE USED TO DETERMINE THE PRODUCTS FUNCTION,
ERGONOMICS, EASE OF USE.
TEST RIG
A Test Rig is where a product will be continually used over and over sometimes
automatically and in different environments/conditions e.g. A hover could be tested
over different surfaces for a varied length of time.
TEST RIGS ARE BEST USED TO TEST PERFORMACE ISSUES, RELIABILITY, DURABILITY
When evaluating success of a product a company can use?
SURVEYS THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRES
Questionnaires are linked in with user research. This could involve watching experienced
and inexperienced users. They should be watched closely so that improvements and
further developments to the product can be identified. Such observations can then be
followed up with questionnaires .
QUESTIONNAIRES COULD BE USED TO DETERMINE HOW A PERSON THINKS ABOUT A
PRODUCTS AESTHETICS
PRODUCT PLACEMENTS
A product placement is when a company will give a customer the product and ask them
to try them out for them. The company may be there to observe the customer use the
product, this allows for the customer to:
1) Make a comparison of there existing product with the new
2) Provide a wow factor for the customer (TV Ads, with normal people)
Product placements allow the company to:
1) Observe the customer use the product in their own home setting, not all are the same
Many companies today are keen to take advantages of Technological Opportunities
e.g. Think of the mobile phone you had 3 years ago and how technology has allowed
them to move on.
TECHNOLOGICAL OPPORTUNITY
Technological Opportunity allows for companies to use advances in technology to
develop products and offer customer new innovative products. Examples include:
-Mobile phone was developed due to miniaturisation
-Satellite navigation and TV was developed due to launching of satellites
-New tennis rackets were developed because of new light weight materials
COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE
Commercial Enterprise is when companies look for a new markets and opportunities
to sell their products, or develop products to suit that market.
Think about the Ipod/Iphone using new technology for people to download music,
games, movies, the internet etc.
“PEOPLE DID NOT KNOW THEY NEEDED IT UNTIL THEY HAD IT”
A company may have their own designers or they may hire design consultants this
can sometimes cause problems with regard to who owns the right to certain aspects
of a product. Imagine having invented something only to have someone steal your
idea, and pretend it was theirs. There are a number of ways to protect yourself one of
which is Intellectual Property (IP) rights.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) RIGHTS
In House Designers
In house designers have no rights to any designs they make. Their designs belong to
their employer. The employer will then protect the product by the use of patents or
trademarks.
Design Consultants
A design consultant can protect their designs by the use of patents. However you get
national and international patents, which cost a lot of money. So if a designer only
has a national patent it is possible for companies internationally to copy it.
Obsolescence
Obsolescence is when a product or part of a product becomes obsolete (Out of Date)
Think of the features that are now on a mobile phone that were not their 3 years ago.
Would you still want the same phone you had 3 years ago now, obviously not, WHY...
Well because the feature that had have now become obsolete. People always want
more.
INFLUENCES THAT ENCOURAGE OBSOLESCENCE ARE:
1) New Technological features, people want what is new e.g. Camera or internet, or
BBM on their phone
2) Design features that encourage the fashion/trend regards aesthetic appeal, style
changes
PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE
1) Is where certain components will break and need replaced, resulting in more
money for the company
2) A company will hold back certain feature so they can be put out as part of the next
product in the line e.g. White Iphone, No flash on the 3GS camera