2.5 Critical Analysis and Evaluation Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is the success of the design of a product dependent on?
The product fulfilling the specification set out in the initial stages of the design process.
What does UCD stand for?
User-centred design
Why is critical analysis important during the design process?
It ensures that an in-depth, objective study is made of elements of a design, often linked to related research.
What are some examples of product specification points?
1 ease of storage
2 spending limit for materials
3 appropriate strength to withstand loading, with margin for safety
4 aesthetic considerations match intended location
5 manufacturing methods compatible with workshop facilities
6 dimensions appropriate for anthropometric data of intended users
What are some examples of primary investigation of a product?
1 considering the target market and purpose of the product, to gain an awareness of the specification likely to have been used when developing the design.
2 An analysis of the product based on how well it satisfies the points in this specification
3 Disassembly of the product to study the manufacturing techniques involved.
If the design process for a product is iterative, what does this mean?
This means that information gained during the evaluation of the performance of the product can be incorporated in improvements made to future versions of those products. It is still, however, very important that careful testing and evaluation of products is carried out before they are made commercially available.
What causes product recall to have to happen?
Flaws in designs that affect product safety, as these can result in harmful situations occuring
What does third party feedback consist of?
Objective views about products from people and organisations that are not involved in their design or manufacture.
Who creates the different standards that products have to achieve before being sold commercially in the UK?
The UK accreditation service 9UKAS) is responsible for checking and monitoring the work of many agencies that certificate testing and inspection of products and their manufacture. The BSI is the UK’s most significant UKAS accredited organisation, since it publishes a range of standards that are used in the design and manufacture of products.
How can you tell if a product has passed certain standards before being sold?
A number of organisations are accredited by UKAS to enable them to carry out the testing necessary to award certification for compliance within standards. The award of appropriate certification enables manufacturers to display the CE mark or BSI kitemark on their products to let consumers know that they have received certification.
What is the importance of market research organisations within the UCD approach?
An important part of the UCD approach is to obtain information from market research organisations. Market research organisations are used because they are totally independent of the client companies that use their services. They obtain information relevant to the proposed new product from a number of sources: targeted questionnaires and independent research into a variety of factors such as competitors’ products, the current state of the market, retailing constraints and brand identity.
What are focus groups?
One of the key services from market research organisations is to host focus groups in which members of the public, from appropriate demographic groups are invited and paid to attend a meeting where they can express their views on existing and proposed products. Members of the focus groups may participate in a variety of activities, which will be recorded in some way.
What are some typical focus group activities?
1 answering direct questions
2 physical interaction with products
3 watching videos and presentations
4 creating mood boards
5 group discussions
What are some examples of what might be learnt from a focus group?
1 their attitude towards colours for product finishes
2 the level of comfort experienced while holding products
3 how easily they can change the batteries in electronic products
4 how easy they find it to navigate control panels or screens
5 the strength of brand identity that they recognise
What is the definition of standards?
legislative requirements for a range of processes and products
What is the definition of accredited?
having the qualifications necessary to carry out a function such as awarding certification for confortmity
What is the definition of market research?
independently executed inquiries relating to products and their use by consumers
What is the definition of demographic group?
a specific category of the population
What is the definition of conformity?
reaching appropriate standards to obtain certification
What is the definition of product recall?
Taking products off the market and asking consumers to return them, due to faults that must be rectified usually for safety reasons
