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Designers rarely design a product that is brand new. Most ideas are based upon past or similar products or inspired by nature, artists or other designers or design movements. Product analysis is a key feature in researching and developing a new product and a key feature in the continuous improvement of a product.
Today a number of companies and TV programs test a range of products and produce reviews on their performance for us:
As already mentioned researching existing products or products that are available on the market is a good place to look for inspiration for new products. Why?
Dyson’s first original invention, the Ballbarrow, was a modified version of a wheelbarrow using a ball instead of a wheel. This was featured on the BBC's Tomorrow's World television programme.
Extension Task:
Lesson Objectives:
GCSE Assessment Criteria:
Investigating the Design Context (8 Marks) |
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A* 8 |
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A 7 |
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B 6 |
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Through product analysis James Dyson found a problem with old vacuum cleaners whose
design had remained the same since the early 1900’s. He became frustrated with his
Hoover diminishing performance: dust kept clogging the dust bag, reducing suction.
Dyson had the idea of using cyclonic separation to create a vacuum cleaner that would
not lose suction as it picked up dirt. The cyclone idea came from the spray-
Dyson continued product analysis on his own design and found a further problem. It was difficult to turn the cleaner because of its fixed wheels.
A help sheet is shown below for the pages you are going to complete. This shows one of the possible ways how you can layout your sheet if you need help and guidance. It can be downloaded and printed via the printer icon. Also look at past examples for inspiration
An example of how to layout the product analysis sheets is shown below. Remember you can use your own headings relevant to your own project. This shows one of the possible ways of how you can layout your sheet if you need help and guidance. How you lay this page out is again up to you, there are several ways. Hover over the key words for hints and tips
An example of how to layout the detailed product analysis sheet is shown below. Remember you can use your own headings relevant to your own project. This shows one of the possible ways of how you can layout your sheet if you need help and guidance. How you lay this page out is again up to you, there are several ways. Use the best and worst products above so that you can compare the two products good and bad features and what and what not to include in your own designing.
Analysing Existing Products involves the following:
WHEN ANALYZING
DO NOT say:
“this IPod has a touch screen and is very thin, it has a camera and a built in speaker. I don’t like it.”
DO say:
“the IPod has a touch screen which I THINK is an excellent design feature BECAUSE it eliminates the need for buttons to carry out functions and in doing so allows the screen to be a big as possible. This makes it a lot better for watching films and playing games on. However the screen is prone to becoming dirty as it is contently being touched. I THINK that it will become annoying to keep clean. It would be a good idea if I could design my MP3 with a touch screen that didn’t mark so easily.”
Below are some past examples of some past Product Analysis pages. Click on the pictures below:
Hover over the different areas of the page below to give hints and tips to help complete.When carrying out product analysis you need to be analytical. You need to add your own opinions and give explanations and
reasoning for your suggestions. Below is a list of questions that you can use to help construct a statement for each ACCESS FM
heading. DO NOT ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS DIRECTLY, THEY ARE THERE TO HELP YOU TO CONSTRUCT A PARAGRAPH
Product Analysis
Aesthetics
What do you think about how the product looks?
Is it successful or not? Why?
Are the looks (colour, shape, styling) suitable or not for the end user? How and why?
How could they be improved in your design?
Cost
Is the product cost effective? Is it too expensive, too cheap, priced correctly?
How much would you be willing to pay?
Why is the product priced as it is? Is it because of its brand name, its quality, the materials used? What do you think, anything to add? How will this effect your design?
Consumer
Who is the intended end user? What is the intended consumer profile? Has the product been designed appropriately for he intended user or not? How and why?
Have the ergonomics/anthropometrics been designed correctly for the intended end user? Explain.
Environment
How does the product effect the environment:
Safety
How safe is the product to use? Are any parts of it dangerous, what are they and how are they dangerous. Is it safe enough for the end user to use?
Size
How big is the product generally? For example: “its too big to fit in a pocket which makes it difficult to transport.” therefore how could the size be improved? Is it too big, too small or correctly sized for the intended user? How? Think about anthropometrics?
Function
What are the main functions for the product, what does it do GIVE FULL DETAILS FOR THIS? For example: “This chair allows the user to sit down at a desk. The user is able to swivel on the chair to change position as the main support post is not fixed. The user can also move around the room whilst sitting on the chair as it has caster wheels on the base of the legs.” How well does the product perform these functions? How could you use these suggestions as inspiration to design a BETTER product.
Materials
What are the materials that have been used to make the product? Are the materials suitable? Are they strong enough? Do they have the properties that are required for that product? Are they good or bad quality? Do the materials add any aesthetic qualities? What do you think?
Ease of use
Is the product easy to use? Is the object adjustable or multifunctional? Is it easy to move or change if this is the case or does it need instructions? Does it need replaceable parts i.e. Bulbs? Are they accessible and easy to change or do you have to take the product apart?
Lifecycle
What are the materials that have been used to make the product and are they suitable to ensure the product stands the test of time. What components have been used and do you think they are suitable or will need to be regularly replaced. Does the product need regular maintenance?
Production
Can you identify how the product was made? Does this method make it suitable for mass production? Does this method reduces costs or can you see a better method of producing this product? Does the method of production effect the aesthetics of the product?
Packaging
What are the materials that have been used to make the packaging? Are the materials suitable? Are they environmentally friendly? Do they have the assembly instructions? Are they good or bad quality? Does the packaging add any aesthetic qualities? What do you think?
Consumer Opinions
James Dyson is a British industrialist whose claim to fame is the Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner. Dyson’s invention helped revolutionize the vacuum cleaners along with other appliances in the world.
Dyson was born on 2nd May 1947 in Cromer, England. He was a long distance runner. Dyson stated that he learned the quality of determination from it. He went to the Byam Shaw School of Art for a year after which he did courses in interior design and furniture design from the Royal College of Art from 1966 to 1970
While he was there he got his first idea of using cyclonic separation in a vacuum cleaner so that it would not lose its suction quality as it picked up dirt. Dyson was very disappointed from his Hoover Junior that continuously got clogged up reducing its suction after every use
Dyson found that the filters in his factory spray room kept clogging up. He began to experiment with
cyclone suction technology and then went on to apply what he had learned to vacuum cleaners
James Dyson believes strongly in physical modelling at an early stage of a product’s development – he
made over 5000 prototypes before the first DC01 came off the production line. To his disappointment no
manufacturer or distributor was interested in his idea. Therefore he decided to launch his product in Japan.
The G-
The G-
in Japan. Dyson got this technology patented in 1986. After not getting a positive response from the major
manufacturers, he decided to establish his own manufacturing company in England. He got his first
breakthrough from his television advertisement that had the slogan ‘say goodbye to the bag’ a quality
that attracted customers more than the efficient suction quality of the product.
But Dyson was more than happy as long as his product was gaining popularity. The Dyson Dual Cyclone turned out to be the fastest selling vacuum cleaner in the United Kingdom. When he launched his product in America in 2002 it was an instant success and in just three years managed to capture 20% of the market.
Consumer Opinions
Safety
How safe is the product to use? Are any parts of it dangerous, what are they and how are they dangerous. Is it safe enough for the end user to use?
Size
How big is the product generally? For example: “its too big to fit in a pocket which makes it difficult to transport.” therefore how could the size be improved? Is it too big, too small or correctly sized for the intended user? How? Think about anthropometrics?
Design Modifications
What would you suggest to improve the five products that you have analysed that you think will meet your potential consumers preferences. Draw these for extra marks.
Function
What are the main functions for the product, what does it do GIVE FULL DETAILS FOR THIS? For example: “This chair allows the user to sit down at a desk. The user is able to swivel on the chair to change position as the main support post is not fixed. The user can also move around the room whilst sitting on the chair as it has caster wheels on the base of the legs.” How well does the product perform these functions? How could you use these suggestions as inspiration to design a BETTER product.
Environment
How does the product effect the environment:
Product Images
Which of the images below would best show the: Aesthetics, Cost, Consumer, Environment, Safety, Size, Function, Materials
Materials
What are the materials that have been used to make the product? Are the materials suitable? Are they strong enough? Do they have the properties that are required for that product? Are they good or bad quality? Do the materials add any aesthetic qualities? What do you think?
Ease of use
Is the product easy to use? Is the object adjustable or multifunctional? Is it easy to move or change if this is the case or does it need instructions? Does it need replaceable parts i.e. Bulbs? Are they accessible and easy to change or do you have to take the product apart?
Packaging
What are the materials that have been used to make the packaging? Are the materials suitable? Are they environmentally friendly? Do they have the assembly instructions? Are they good or bad quality? Does the packaging add any aesthetic qualities? What do you think?
Aesthetics
What do you think about how the product looks?
Is it successful or not? Why?
Are the looks (colour, shape, styling) suitable or not for the end user? How and why?
How could they be improved in your design?
Production
Can you identify how the product was made? Does this method make it suitable for mass production? Does this method reduces costs or can you see a better method of producing this product? Does the method of production effect the aesthetics of the product?
Cost
Is the product cost effective? Is it too expensive, too cheap, priced correctly?
How much would you be willing to pay?
Why is the product priced as it is? Is it because of its brand name, its quality, the materials used? What do you think, anything to add? How will this effect your design?
Lifecycle
What are the materials that have been used to make the product and are they suitable to ensure the product stands the test of time. What components have been used and do you think they are suitable or will need to be regularly replaced. Does the product need regular maintenance?
Consumer
Who is the intended end user? What is the intended consumer profile? Has the product been designed appropriately for he intended user or not? How and why?
Have the ergonomics/anthropometrics been designed correctly for the intended end user? Explain.
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