Factors Influencing Product Design

Overview of Factors Influencing Product Design

• Product design evaluation requires analyzing factors that shape a product's creation, evaluation, and market viability.

Need or Opportunity

• Intended Use and Context:

  • What is the product for?

  • Where will it be used and how will it be used?

• End-User Research and Identification:

  • Has the designer identified the needs of the end user well?

  • Have they used direct contact, research, and/or experience to help create their solution?

• Problem Resolution:

  • Does the product effectively satisfy the end user's specific needs?

Function

• Operational Intent:

  • How is the product meant to function?

• Performance Evaluation:

  • Does it function effectively and fully?

End Users

• Target Audience Identification:

  • Who are the intended human and/or non-human users of the product?

• Welfare and Quality of Life Enhancements:

  • How does the product improve their welfare and quality of life?

  • Particular consideration must be given to aspects of safety, accessibility, universal design, comfort, social and physical needs, and the use of ergonomics and anthropometric data.

  • Considerations must also extend to culture and religion, emotional and sensory appeal, demographics, and trends.

• Potential Refinement:

  • Can the designer's solutions to these user-centered aspects be improved?

Aesthetics

• Visual and Sensory Appeal:

  • What design elements and design principles are used to appeal to the end user?

Ethical Considerations in Design

• Ethical Design and Responsibility:

  • Has the product been designed and made ethically?

  • Has the designer considered the individual and public 'good'?

  • Has the designer worked towards social goals such as belonging, access, usability, and equity for the disadvantaged?

• Sustainability Principles:

  • Is the product sustainable?

  • Does it encourage environmental protection, social inclusion, and economic access and growth?

  • Does it reduce negative impacts for both present and future generations?

  • Is the material long-lasting, or can it be reused or biodegraded after the product is disposed of?

  • If it is recycled material, can it be upcycled again and again?

• Legal Responsibilities:

  • How has the designer considered their legal responsibilities?

  • Protection and compliance regarding Intellectual property (IP).

  • Compliance with Australian and International (ISO) standards, regulations, and legislation (including OH&S).

• Safety Standards:

  • Are the products produced safely and safe to use?

Market Needs and Opportunities

• Creative Approach:

  • Has the designer used a creative approach to develop their solution?

• Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

  • Have they designed innovatively and worked entrepreneurially (created business/commercial opportunities)?

• Market Niche:

  • Does the product fill a niche that was previously unfilled?

Product Life Cycle

• Lifecycle Impact Minimisation:

  • Has the designer considered and minimised the negative impacts of the product at each stage of its life?

  • Key stages to analyze include:

  • Sourcing of materials

  • Manufacture

  • Distribution

  • Use

  • Disposal/reuse

Technologies: Materials, Tools, and Processes

• Material Suitability:

  • What properties and characteristics of the chosen material make it suitable for the product?

• Manufacturing Selection:

  • From what can be observed, has the product been manufactured using suitable technologies?

Investigative Methodology for Product Analysis

• Evidence Availability Challenges:

  • It may be very hard to find information or evidence about some of these areas.

• Formulating Informed Evaluations:

  • When investigating, an evaluator might need to make an informed guess from what has been read or what can be seen.

  • The evaluator must explain why they think the designer's or manufacturer's choices are suitable or unsuitable based on this evidence.