1.8

By the end of this unit you should have developed a knowledge and understanding of:

the design, development and manufacture of products to meet specification criteria and fitness for purpose
how the critical assessment of products can lead to the development of new designs
how to critically assess products and develop new design proposals
how to work with a variety of materials to produce creative and original products that satisfy the demands of the target market
the development of products that are inclusive in their design
accuracy of production
how to consider aesthetics, ergonomics and anthropometrics when designing products

1.8.1 Product development methods

1.8.2 Ergonomics & Anthropometrics

1.8.3 Adapted & Inclusive design

Summary for unit 1.8

Anthropometrics is the study of human data.
Ergonomics is the study of humans in their environment.
They are two different things but very much depend on one another.
Percentiles refer to the percentage of people who fall into a particular category. The ‘average’ is referred to as the 50th Percentile.
Most modern products are ergonomically designed and it is hard to find a successful product with bad ergonomics in modern times.
Refer to the book ‘The Measure of Man and Woman’ for Anthropometric data, charts and diagrams.
Inclusive design is aimed at as large a group of users as possible.
Elderly people are not necessarily disabled but can have different specific physical needs due to their age. Some, however, are as fit and healthy as a much younger person!
Products are designed specifically to appeal to customers
To ensure they meet the needs of the market they require a product design specification (PDS).
There are numerous ways to communicate concept designs to the client through 2D and 3D forms.
Visual models and virtual prototypes are a means of developing ideas
using a computer before committing to production.
A range of modelling techniques are available for making physical models to assess their form or function.
It is important to make a product appealing to the market or customer and this can be done by considering a range of aesthetics properties.

You should be able to refer to, and use in your own work, the considerations required for product design and development.

These include use of a PDS and considerations of UCD in your own approach to design.

You should be able to refer to a range of aesthetic properties that give a product ‘customer appeal’.

You should also be familiar with some basic anthropometric data and how to use that data to make a product that is ergonomically sound.

Consider how your product will be used by the 5th to 95th percentile but also how it can be more inclusive where possible.

Use products that you find to critically analyse in terms of all the above attributes and properties.

L28-30-Requirement-for-product-design.ppsx

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