2.1 Design methods and processes

Question 1

What is iterative design?

Answer 1

A cyclical approach to the design and development process

Question 2

What happens in the iterative design process

Answer 2

• Designs and development are continually tested, evaluated and refined
• designs may be trialled & modified several times before the prototype is finalised

So enables further modifications and improvements as the designs process continues

Question 3

What is User-centred design? (UCD)

Answer 3

Developing a new product to suit the needs and wants of the consumer

Question 4

What does User-centred design do?

Answer 4

• develop products that consumers need or want
• Identify a target market and understand how, when & why they will use the product
• Involves users in all stages of the design process
• test and evaluate the design at every stage

Question 5

What’s an example of designing to meet a need?

Answer 5

“Lady Levis” - The first pair of women’s jeans 1934 and were aimed at women working on ranches and sold in several western states

Question 6

What is primary data? Give some examples

Answer 6

Information gathered using direct research methods
E.g.
- Questionnaires or surveys
- Interviews
- focus groups & customer panels
- product analysis

Question 7

What is secondary data? Give some examples

Answer 7

Information previously gathered by other researchers or businesses
E.g.
- trend forecasts
- designer influences
- sales & company reports
- media sources

Question 8

What is market research?

Answer 8

The collection of data to establish a need for a specific product and considers the target market, current trends and competitors

Question 9

What are focus groups?

Answer 9

These are set up by market researchers to find out views of the target market

• they are small groups of the target market - should be a good spread of the demographic for varied opinions
• feedback is analysed and evaluated

Question 10

What are customer panels?

Answer 10

focus groups that meet regularly throughout the product development

Question 11

What is product analysis & evaluation

Answer 11

Researchers and designers investigate existing, comparable products within the market to identify useful features

• data collected can help develop ideas for new or improved products

Question 12

What does anthropometric data provide?

Answer 12

Standard measurements of the average human body

Data is then used to make decisions about which sizes are appropriate for their target market

Question 13

What are percentiles used for?

Answer 13

Used to ensure a product can be used by the majority of the target market

Question 14

What is ergonomic data?

Answer 14

The study of how people and products interact

Question 15

What does ergonomic data provide?

Answer 15

Data is collected from studies into how the body changes during movement which has an impact on the choice of fabric and garment shape

Question 16

Example of when anthropometric data and ergonomic data is used?

Answer 16

Pattern grading - pattern proportions are adjusted to give a range of different sizes for the same product

Question 17

What is taken into account when a prototype manufacture is drawn up?

Answer 17

• materials, techniques & processes that will be used
• the tools and equipment required
• Quality assurance procedures to be adopted
• Quality control checks required during manufacture

Question 18

What happens to the final prototype and what does this process do?

Answer 18

Tested and evaluated, with the involvement of the customer panel

• this process will expose necessary or desired modifications to make the manufacturing process cost effective