3.4 Product analysis

A set of 50 flashcards covering the principles of product analysis, scales of production, quality management systems, product life cycles, and sustainability concepts for graphic products.

What does product analysis involve?

It involves looking closely at a product to understand how it was designed, made and what will happen to it at the end of its life.

What are the two key audience-related questions to ask when observing a graphic product?

What is its main purpose of the product and who is it for (the user)?

When analyzing aesthetics, what three visual elements should be observed?

Colours, typography, and layout.

In product analysis, what functional question should be asked regarding materials?

Why do you think these materials were chosen?

What are common examples of materials used in graphic products?

Paper, card, board, plastic, foam, or composite.

What are five methods mentioned for joining parts of a graphic product?

Folded, glued, stapled, taped, or joined using tabs and flaps.

What is a key consideration regarding joining methods in product analysis?

Whether the joining methods are temporary or permanent.

Name three examples of finishes that might be applied to a graphic product.

Varnish, lamination, or foil blocking.

What are the two main reasons finishes are applied to products?

For decorative or protective purposes.

What five making processes might be identified through product observation?

Cutting, shaping, joining, printing, and finishing.

How is 'scale of production' defined?

The number of identical items produced, which affects manufacturing methods, cost, and time.

What is prototype or one-off production?

Making just one item, which has the highest cost per item and often requires skilled craftspeople.

When is one-off production typically used?

For unique items or testing a design before mass production.

What is batch production?

Making a limited number of identical items in groups (batches).

What is a major advantage of batch production compared to one-off production?

It is more cost-effective for medium quantities and allows for changes between batches.

What are the characteristics of mass production?

Making huge quantities of identical items (often millions) using expensive machines and automation for a very low cost per item.

What is continuous production?

Making identical items non-stop, $24/7$, for extremely high demand.

Which scale of production is often used for raw materials like paper rolls or plastic film?

Continuous production.

What is quality assurance (QA)?

The system put in place to prevent mistakes and ensure the whole process meets quality standards.

What is quality control (QC)?

Checking products during manufacture to find any faults.

What are the primary goals of QC and QA?

To ensure products look good, work properly, meet customer needs, and reduce waste.

What is a specific material QC check for paper?

Checking if the paper is the correct weight in $gsm$.

What is a specific material QC check for plastic film?

Checking if the film is the correct thickness.

During printing QC, what three factors are typically checked?

Whether the colours are correct, the text is sharp, and there are no smudges or errors.

What three things are checked during the 'cutting, shaping and forming' QC stage?

Whether sizes are accurate, folds are in the right place, and edges are clean.

What are two key checks for joining QC?

Whether seams are strong and parts are aligned correctly.

What is checked to ensure a finish has been applied correctly?

Whether the finish is applied evenly, lamination is smooth, and foil blocking is clear.

What are printer's marks?

A series of symbols surrounding an image that comes off the printing press.

What is the purpose of printer's marks?

To check the quality of the colour and the alignment of the image.

Why are thorough print checks necessary for high-volume runs like newspapers?

Because one small mistake could be very costly for the printer during large production runs.

What occurs during the 'Designed' stage of a graphic product's life?

Designers decide the purpose, user, aesthetics, layout, colours, materials, and making methods.

When should thinking about a product's end-of-life begin?

During the initial 'Designed' stage.

What happens during the 'Manufactured' stage of a graphic product's life?

The design becomes a reality by selecting materials, cutting, shaping, forming, joining, printing, and finishing.

Give examples of products with short 'Used' stages.

Packaging or tickets.

Give examples of products with long 'Used' stages.

Books, signs, or durable display items.

What end-of-life options should designers consider to minimize negative impact?

Whether the product can be reused, recycled, or disposed of sustainably.

What does obsolescence mean in the context of graphic products?

A product becomes unusable or outdated.

What is planned obsolescence?

Products are deliberately designed not to last long or to go out of fashion.

What is an example of a product designed with planned obsolescence?

Single-use packaging that is hard to recycle, such as laminated pouches.

What is unplanned obsolescence?

Products failing unexpectedly due to faults or degradation.

Give two examples of material degradation that lead to unplanned obsolescence.

Ink fading or paper turning brittle.

What is an example of a mechanical failure in unplanned obsolescence?

Seams failing on boxes.

In terms of sustainability, what is the negative result of obsolescence?

It creates waste and requires بیشتری raw materials, energy for making, and transport.

Why are mixed graphic materials specifically problematic for waste?

They make products harder to recycle at the end of their life.

What does 'designing for disassembly' mean?

Making products easy to repair or recycle by making them easy to take apart.

What are the two types of obsolescence?

Planned obsolescence and unplanned obsolescence.

How do mass production and batch production compare in cost per item?

Mass production results in a very low cost per item compared to the moderate cost-effectiveness of batch production.

What is the goal of sustainable design?

To aim for a longer product life or easier recycling/reuse.

What scale of production facilitates changes between manufacturing runs?

Batch production.

Which production scale is characterized as being highly automated and integrated, often producing products like plastic film?

Continuous production.