The Design Cycle is broken into 4 key stages. Students will need to know the cycle and what goes on in each stage.
Identify : This includes a Brief, Research and Process planning
Design: This commences with the writing of a specification, the process of designing [Design] and is concluded with a manufacturing plan
Optimise: This is where there is modelling of a prototype and the process of removing all the errors in the design called 'Error Proofing'.
Validate: In this phase the prototype is tested (virtual testing and physical testing) which then all allows for an evaluation
‘MARKET PULL’ is the need for a new product or a solution to a problem. This tends to be from which comes from the market or businesses. The need is identified by market research and customers who are want (a demand for) a product.
A product or a range of products are developed.
Market pull sometimes starts with potential customers asking for improvements to existing products. Focus groups are often central to this, when testing a product.
TECHNOLOGY PUSH is the development of new technology, this then drives the development of new products. Technology Push usually does not involve market research.
A company with start the development of an innovative technology and put this into a product. The company then markets the product as their own and will often have an advantage against all their competitors. Think Apple touch screen products.