2.1 - Design methods and processes

P2 - Design + making

design process

• moodboard, ideation, inspiration

• illustration or sketch

• technical sketch

• tech pack

• sourcing

• factory, sampling

• fit and view

• design approval

• production

iterative design process

a cyclical approach to the design and development process

• involves continually testing, evaluating and refining a product to optimise the design

iterative design cycle

• context/need

• planning

• requirements

• analysis and design

• prototype

• testing

• evaluation

• context/need

UCD - user centred design

developing a new product to suit the needs and wants of the customer

UCD - aims

• develop products consumers need/want

• identify target market - identify how, when and why they will use a product

• involve users in all stages of the design process

• test and evaluate the design at every stage

• focused on exploring a range of views to find real customer opinions

what drives need/demand for products

• gap in the market e.g. changes to mens fashion

• technological advances e.g. wearable tech

• desire for something original e.g. catwalk garments that can be modified to meet individual needs

primary data

research carried out to collect new information in person

primary data collection methods

• consumer questionnaires and surveys

• telephone, online, face to face interviews

• focus groups

• customer panels

• product analysis

must make purpose of research clear

secondary data

research collected from existing sources of data

• previously gathered by other researchers/businesses

• can be purchased our gathered freely online

• may be out fo date

secondary data sources

• trend forecasts

• sales and company reports

• book research of styles or designer influences

• gov. publications

• media sources - magazines or newspapers

• internet research

• trade association publications

market research

involves data collection to establish if there is a need for a product

• considers target market, competitors, and current trends

• qualitative and quantitive

• often uses interviews - provides insight of needs and wants of target market

quantitative data

factural, meausurable information

• yes/no questions or tick boxes

• often numerical

• data can be categorised and analysed

qualitative data

subjective information

• includes customers options, preferences or observations

• consumers give descriptive answers to questions to explain their point of view

focus group

a panel of consumers who rate the product and feed back their opinions

• part of the target market

demographics

a study of population statistics

• e.g. age, gender, marital status, income and occupation

customer panels

a group of prospective customers

• frequently consulted on their opinions about a new product

• during different development stages

purpose of focus group

• set up to find views of target market

• 6-10 people, planned discussion

• should be a good spread of the demographic to provide variety of opinion

• analyse and evaluate feedback

• customer panels = focus groups that meet regularly

comparable products

existing comparable products within the market are investigates

• can identify useful features

• helps develop ideas for new or improved products

human factors for design

• must tale in to account anthropometric and ergonomic data

• ensures a design functions efficiently for people

• will establish correct size for user, and wether something is fit for purpose

percentiles

a specific statistical percentage range

• used to define appropriate anthropometric data for design purposes

use of anthropometric data

• provides standard measurements of average human body

• use data to decide appropriate sizing for target market

• pattern grades and manufacturing ensures uniformity in sizing

• should be made clear whether products are design fir averages or extremes

pattern grading

pattern designers sue anthropometric and ergonomic data to grade patterns for different sizes

use of ergonomics

studies how people and products interact

• data collected from studies about human body changes during movement

• impacts choice of fabric or garment shape

• used to grade patterns to appropriate sizes

plan of prototype manufacture

drawn up by a sample machinist when making final prototype

• materials, techniques and processes to be used

• tools and equipment required

• QA procedures adopted

• QC checks required

important to ensure quality standards are met