unit 4 SAC 1 Flashcards
(43 cards)
how we choose products
your choice depends entirely on your situation:
- your budget
- experience with the type of product
- how long you expect the product to last
- how important the apperance is
- knowledge of the materials
- peer pressure
different attributes of a product are
- how it functions
- its user-friendliness
- ergonomic features
- safety features
- its cost/value
- aesthetics
- its environmental, social and economic impacts
- its quality
primary function
relates to the main purpose of the product-what it should do at a basic level
secondary function
things that support or are added to the main function
user-friendliness
means that the user dosent need to sit down and read a manual before they can use the product for its most basic function. user-friendliness is helped by the communication used on and with the product, such as using identifable shapes, colour coding, and clear symbols and markings.
ergonomics
related to function and how well a products many functions are suited to its use by the human body. ergonomic principles are generally concerned with comfort, ease of use and minimizing strain. ergonomics is concerned with the way these aspects affect how the garment fits the user body, and how the body moves and interacts with the garment.
safety
relates to the way the product is used and how it performs its function; does it pose any obvious or hidden risks to the user. indirectly, a product may affect other people even if they are not the user, and their safety ust also be considered.
cost/value
there is a balance between the quality of the product and the cost. some consumers are willing to sacrifice quality for cheaper price if they feel they are getting value for money if the purpose is short lived. others are prepared to pay the cost to obtain high quality and long life.
aesthetics
related to the physical apperance of an object. something we understand through our senses. it is concerned with the features of a design that give it its apperance and feel. aethetics depend on the viewer and their knowledge, culture, likes and dislikes.
environmental, social and economics
the environmental, social and economic impact of a product may affect the value to a potential consumer or user. they look for evidence of:
- the design stratergies that have been used to reduce the environmental impact of the product
- the social and economic benifits to which the product and manufacturer contribute.
quality
relates to how well and how long the product can satisfy the needs and wants of the user in terms of function and aesthitics. quality of a product depends on:
- the durability and reliability of the product
- the properties and characteristics of the materials used
- the products ability to perform its function
- the strength and accuracy of construction and joining methods
- the quality of the components used
- the level of design
- the expected life of the product.
the product type
for some types of products, function and quality are critical and are what the product is judged by. for others, the aesthetics or look of the product is of a higher priority.
the user
what you want from a product will depend on what sort of person you are. the needs and desires of the user change depending on their background, tastes and life stage.
prioritise
put in order of importance
users needs
they are looking for comfort, safety, durability, good value and specific appearance, they might also value the use of sustainable materials. want products that:
- function well
- fit their idea of what looks good
- last well
- represent good value
- incorporate the latest sock technology
the manufacture
they want the product to be cheaply produced however give off a high profit margin that wears well but not to well. manufactures want products that:
- function well
- create a profit
- are efficent to make
- create and retain brand credibility and style
- become very popular
the designer
wants a product that functions efficently, applies new technologies and is aesthetically creative. the designers role is to recognise these different and sometimes conflicting priorities, and seek to ballance and satisfy them as best as they can
products that are new
when a product is introduced, the user values products that:
- perform and function at a higher level than alternatives
- have unique or original aesthetic ffeature
- are innovative
products that have been around for a while
-be reliable and function well
-have a safe apperance
be of resonable value
older products
cost less than the alternatives
- function reliably
- have a more conservative apperance
- include features that are tested by time, but are not really innovative
comparing products
- the situatin and the users this type of product is designed for
- the requirements of the situation
- the products features and attributes and how they satisfy the requirements of the situation, and the needs and wants of the user
developing a criteria
- the primary function or purpose, and secondary functions that contribute to the primary function, such as safety, ease of use and ergonomics, and components that contribute to the products functionality for the particular situation
- aethetics- the look and the feel that will appeal to the target market or specific end user
- quality- list the specific quality indicators
- sustainability- think about environmental, social and economic issues that might relate to stages of the products life
qualitative
based on experiences, subjective feedback. rich information about experiences or stories, usually sourced from individuals or small groups; provides complex data that is hard to classify but provides a detailed picture
quantitative
based on numerical data. numerical information sourced from a large number of people; simple data that is asy to classify and useful for generalising trends
