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Existing Solutions / products
Existing Solutions / products
To score highly in this section you need to analyse to a very high standard. That means looking at the following analysis areas when conducting your primary existing products research. You need to really focus on the details and how things have been designed, why they have been designed in that way, how they have been made, how they have been finished, how they have been assembled etc.
You should try and comment / analyse (at a very high level) the following areas (below) for each of your Primary examples. Each example could be over one, two or even three slides.
Analysis of the product and how it functions
Analysis of the product and how it functions
This should include the following:
• consideration of the original design situation or need i.e. what was the original design brief do you think
• analysis of intended functions of the product for potential users i.e. what does the product have to do
Analysis of the users
Analysis of the users
This should include the following:
• identification of users / target group - who is the product intended for?
• identification of user needs - what do they want from the product
• ergonomic features - how does the product work well with the user(s)
• aesthetics - how do the aesthetics work for the users
Analysis of the materials used
Analysis of the materials used
This should include the following:
• properties required - why i.e. waterproof? Strong? Durable? Flexible? Lightweight?
• cost and availability (if relevant)
• recyclable alternatives - are there any options to change the materials to be better for the envornment
• sustainable alternatives
Analysis of the production processes
Analysis of the production processes
This should include the following:
• production processes
• scale of production (individual (one-off), batch or mass). Focusing on manufacturing in quantity would be good as your final outcome needs to consider this
• cost considerations
• environmental considerations
Analysis of the safety features
Analysis of the safety features
This should include the following:
• health and safety considerations, both during manufacture and in the use of the product. Rounded edges, safety precautions etc.
• quality control standards applicable (such as use of non-toxic paints or electricity safety) and quality assurance
Analysis of the cultural and social factors
Analysis of the cultural and social factors
This should include the following:
• variations to the product to meet different customer needs - different colour ranges?
• fashion and trends - think now that the new iPhone 17 has been launched in Orange, will there be other products that 'match' this colour trend?
• inclusive design - has it been designed to be accessible?
• impact / influence from cultural and social factors / values
• impact / influence from design movements
Analysis of the economic factors
Analysis of the economic factors
This should include the following:
• costs involved in the production of the product
• resources / materials used to produce the product
• energy used to produce the product
• workforce costs to produce the product
Analysis of the environmental factors
Analysis of the environmental factors
This should include the following:
• sustainable / recyclable alternative materials
• conservation issues, including extraction, processing and disposal
• sustainability
• energy used during production and in use
• end of life disposal implications
You need to combine this research along with Secondary examples. The Secondary examples should try to be different so as to investigate and analyse a wide range of products. This means you are looking more widely at different designs, which is a positive.
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