Requirements For Product Design And Development Flashcards
Specification criteria - ACCESS FM
ACCESS FM:
Aesthetics
Cost
Customer
Environment
Safety
Size
Function
Materials
Pugh’s plates
SPAT MTC SLEME
Size and weight
Performance
Aesthetics
Timescale
Maintenance
Testing
Cost
Safety
Life span
Ergonomics
Materials
Environment
Product design specification (PDS)
Set of key requirements that the design will be judged against
Accuracy of production
Suitability for accurate, repeatable production is a key feature of successful design concepts
Can be facilitated by the use of simple geometric forms to reduce complex machining
Accurate, fully dimensioned drawings ensure the effective combination of components
Dimensional accuracy of design developments must match production facilities available
CAD files usually have greater accuracy than a manufacturing process can achieve
Critical assessment for new design development
Design constantly evolves due to our ability to implement new technology and materials
Current designs are therefore temporary and seen as flawed when me possibilities become practical
Critical assessment of current products benefits from consumer experience to inform the development of further products
Critical analysis
Direct interaction with the product is essential to assess its effectiveness
Detailed task analysis - assess products capability during tasks
Tasks can be broken down into individual stages for a more thorough analysis
Ergonomics needs to be carefully analysed
Aesthetic analysis - objective and factual, avoiding generalisations
Acknowledge use of geometric or natural forms and influence of designers and movements
Consider materials, suitability of properties and compromises
Study links between materials, manufacturing methods and scale of production
Assess suitability of manufacturing methods and assembly
Consider product’s environmental impact
User-centred design (UCD)
Design for product users’ actual needs, not the designs perception of them; these are prioritised at all stages of the process
End user involvement in the development stage will help lead to success - facilitate objective product evaluations
Task analysis
Potential users are monitored when performing specific tasks using the product
Used to identify issues - for existing products or prototypes
Block modelling
Two types: visual appearance models and working prototypes
Facilitate testing aspects such as mechanisms and the intended form
Compliant materials - e.g. Styrofoam and clay for simple hand tool shaping
Mechanical elements require more resistant material to test reactions to forces
Visual appearance models
Demonstrate the aesthetic form of the design concept
Usually made from different materials to the final product due to the expense of producing moulds and formers suitable for the actual materials
Working prototypes
Particularly intended for testing mechanism and technical principles
Appearance isn’t a high priority
Aesthetics
Refers to the visual appeal of a product such as shape, size, form, colour and texture
Designer Donald Norman
Must balance aesthetics and function
Shape is 2D profile, form is 3D physical manifestation
Tangential lines and curves result in minimal designs with pleasing, smooth surfaces - also improves aerodynamics
Symmetry and asymmetry
Symmetric handheld products offer inclusivity for both left and right handed users
Symmetry gives visual balance
Asymmetry can add interest and focus to designs
Proportion
Relationship between dimensions of an object
Significantly affects aesthetics
Golden ratio is often used 1:1:6
Golden ratio has been used in architecture, art and design for hundreds of years
Anthropomorphism
The use of recognisably human characteristics within design
E.g. Alessandro Mendini’s Anna G corkscrew, 1915 Coca-Cola bottle
Provides emotional, often humorous connection to products
Colour and texture
Important elements in the aesthetic appeal of product design
Complementary colours (opposite sides of the colour wheel) are sometimes combined
Analogous colours (next to each other on the colour wheel) are chosen for some situations
Symbols and ideograms
Instructive symbols independent of language
Diversity of populations makes their use increasingly important
Standardisation of symbols is important and helps promote inclusivity for children
Intuitive use of products is helped by colour associations
Ergonomics
Defined as the scientific study of people and their working conditions
Interaction with products through all senses need to be considered
Considers human interaction with both the product and the environment
Anthropometrics
Measurements of the human body in the context of product design
Design for a range of percentiles
Helps designers consider the wide range of sizes
Often designers make products for the 5th - 95th percentile
Anthropometric data must always be considered alongside safety
Inclusive design
Designing products for ease for use by the maximum range of sizes/abilities
Aims to meet the widest possible range of people who might interact with the product
Inclusive design of hand tools avoids problems such as undue stress on joints and slow working
Gentle curves with appropriate texture offer multiple gripping positions for the user
Empathy is an important part of inclusive design
Empathic design
Simulation of conditions limiting the ability of potential users in order to facilitate the development of more successful and inclusive products
Designer analysing tasks while emulating user restrictions
Ford Focus designers wore a third age suit to experience problems of less mobile motorists
Proof of concept prototype
Shows the key functionality and main technical aspects of the design
Production prototype
A representation of how the mass-produced product would look and function
Designer Donald Norman views on aesthetics
‘products and systems which make you feel good are easier to deal with and produce more harmonious results’
Inclusive design features
Not always one product to suit the entire population but a family of products to suit the diverse range of abilities
Designs may be flexible - able to be used by different people in different ways
Reducing level of ability required to use each product in order to improve user experience for a wide range of products
Good design should reflect the diversity of the people who use it and not impose any barriers of any kind
