Design Factors Flashcards
Six Design Factors
Function, Performance, Ergonomics, Aesthetics, Market, Safety
Function
What a product does, its main job, its purpose.
Primary Function
A product’s main job or purpose.
Secondary Function
A product’s other job or purpose.
Perfomance
If a product can fulfil its primary function then it is fit for purpose.
If a product cannot fulfil its primary function then it is not fit for purpose.
Ensuring Fitness for Purpose
Make a prototype
Conduct user trials
Conduct user trips
Make a test rig
Value for Money
Meets customer expectations and sold for a fair price.
Maintainance
Keep the product in a good working order and extends the life of the product.
Planned Obsolescence
Planned obsolescence is the activity of giving a product a lifespan.
Safety
A designer must make sure that products are safe during their design and development, during their manufacture, when its’ being used and at the end of it’s life.
A Safe Product Must…
Adhere to safety standards and laws,
Contain no harmful materials,
Contain no dangerous components,
Be tested thoroughly during development,
Be easy for the consumer to understand,
Be safe to manufacture.
Ergonomics
An ergonomic product is easy, safe and comfortable to use.
Anthropometrics
Data that describes the size and shape of humans.
Physiology
Study of the physical mechanisms of the human body.
(Strength, movement, fatigue, effort, reflexes, strain, etc)
Psychology
Study of the mental processes of humans. How we perceive, think and behave.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is the study of beauty.
An aesthetically pleasing products appeals to all of our senses. (Often stylish or fashionable)
Visual
Colour, contrast, shape, line, symmetry, pattern, proportion, balance, material choice.
Audio
Pitch, tone, volume, repetition, quality.
Touch
Texture, weight, comfort, temperature, form, quality.
Smell
Strength, bitter, sweet, sour, pleasantness.
Taste
Strength, bitter, sweet, sour, pleasantness, texture.
“This design has a…
Contrasting colour, Bold pattern, Ribbed texture, Symmetry, Smooth shape, Shiny material, Balanced line, Proportion
to give a sense of…
Quality, nature, speed, balance, elegance, fashion, theme, balance
so it appeals to…”
Teenagers, males, females, old people, professionals, animal lovers, sci-fi fans, gardeners.
Describing Aesthetics
Don’t be vague when describing aesthetics, use words that describe the product.
Marketing
Marketing is everything a company does to find customers and keep them.
The 4 P’s Marketing Strategy
Make the right product,
Sell it at the right price,
Sell it in the right place,
Use the right promotions.
Promotions
Advertising, celebrity endorsements, sponsorship, special offers, attractive packaging.
Target Markets
Group of consumers intended for a product.
Market researches will determine what the market wants.
Designers’ products must fulfil a market demand and meet the expectations of the target market.
Target Markets
Can be based on:
Geographic - where people live.
Demographic - age, income, job, sex, education.
Psychographic - values, opinions, attitudes.
Behavioural - brand loyalty, regular buyer, early-adopters.
Niche Marketing
A niche market is a small, well-defined and lucrative market.
Advantages:
Less competition, easier to target customers, can charge higher prices.
Disadvantages:
Sell low volumes, over dependence on a single product, vulnerable to market changes.
Branding
A brand is all of the impressions and experiences associated with a company or product.
Benefits of a Strong Brand Image
Products become unique,
Products are easily recognised,
Products can command a higher price,
Perceived high quality/reliability,
Consumers loyalty,
Gives more opportunities for promotion
Technology Push
When a new piece of technology drives the development of new products.
Market Pull
When demand from the market results in new products. Consumers may want new products because:
The old version needs to be improved or made cheaper,
A competing product has been launched,
A product is trending,
Product in no longer compatible with another product
Product Lifecycle - Introduction
Product has just released,
High promotion spend,
High marketing spend,
Building awareness,
Early adopters
Product Lifecycle - Growth
Sales are growing,
The product is proven,
Competitors emerge,
Building the brand,
High marketing spend
Product Lifecycle - Maturity
Sales slow,
Competitor products,
Saturated market,
Price competition,
Defend market share
Product Lifecyle - Decline
Sales fall,
Low marketing spend,
Low promotion spend,
Only loyal customers remain,
Rejuvenate product
