Product Analysis Product Analysis Theory. Knowledge and Understanding

Product Analysis Theory Product Analysis Q1: Product Analysis Question You will be given a photograph of an existing product and asked to analyse that product. You may be asked to write ; probable specification  a probable specification for the product; aesthetic appeal  about the aesthetic appeal of the product; function  about the function and/or purpose of the product; quality issues  about the quality issues relating to the product; safety considerations  about the the safety considerations of the product for the end user; materials  about the materials used in the manufacture of the product; commercial processes  about the commercial processes used to make and assemble the product; safety  about the safety considerations for making the product; sustainabilityenvironmental  about the sustainability and environmental issues. You may be asked to write ; probable specification  a probable specification for the product; aesthetic appeal  about the aesthetic appeal of the product; function  about the function and/or purpose of the product; quality issues  about the quality issues relating to the product; safety considerations  about the the safety considerations of the product for the end user; materials  about the materials used in the manufacture of the product; commercial processes  about the commercial processes used to make and assemble the product; safety  about the safety considerations for making the product; sustainabilityenvironmental  about the sustainability and environmental issues. Type of questions you may be asked

Specification Theory Specification. (What you must include) When writing a design specification you must use the appropriate headings. Function - What does the product need to do? Aesthetics - What about style, colour, shape & form? Cost - What will the product cost? Environmental Issues - Will your product be environmentally friendly? Safety - How safe is the product to use? Check out British Standards Institute Durability - How long will the product last? Target market - Who is the Target Market? Materials - What are the most appropriate materials? Manufacture - What are the most appropriate manufacturing processes? Maintenance - How easy will it be to maintain? Ergonomics - How big should it be? For example - size and weight Packaging - How will final product be packaged for sale? When writing a design specification you must use the appropriate headings. Function - What does the product need to do? Aesthetics - What about style, colour, shape & form? Cost - What will the product cost? Environmental Issues - Will your product be environmentally friendly? Safety - How safe is the product to use? Check out British Standards Institute Durability - How long will the product last? Target market - Who is the Target Market? Materials - What are the most appropriate materials? Manufacture - What are the most appropriate manufacturing processes? Maintenance - How easy will it be to maintain? Ergonomics - How big should it be? For example - size and weight Packaging - How will final product be packaged for sale? A specification is a list of points that tells the designer exactly what the product has to do to be good. What is a design specification? Key Question? What is a design specification? Key Headings for a design specification

Product Analysis Key Words Ergonomics This is the study of the relationship between people and their environment, proper ergonomics means designing objects, such as keyboards and chairs, to provide safety and comfort for all users. Example – a hand held game needs to fit well in the hand and buttons need to be easily reachable. Designers uses body measurements (anthropometrics) to make sure the product is the right size and shape. Anthropometrics Anthropometrics is used to describe to sizes of human beings. These numbers are used in order to correctly design a product to the right size. Target Market / Audience The consumer at which a company aims its products and services towards. The people who will want to buy your product. Do you understand all these key words ? To help you with this question you will need to understand the following keywords.

Product Analysis Key Words Durability The ability to be used over and over; able to resist wear, decay; lasting; enduring. Aesthetics Function A theory as to what is beautiful ; appearance, style, colour, shape & form. Function is what the product is intended to do – its job, How does the product work, What is the purpose of the product ? What something is used for; What should it do? Maintenance Care: the activity involved in maintaining something in good working order. Do you understand all these key words ?

(a) Before starting to design the computer desk a Design Specification was written. State with as much detail as you can, what you think was the most important design specification point for each of the following aspects. Product Analysis Exam Questions Question 1. This question is about Product Analysis. It is worth 15 marks. The photograph shows a self assembly computer desk. Cost: £70 Material: laminated chipboard – Beech finish. Assembly: self assembly – Knock down fittings. Made in China. (ii) The target market for the computer desk. (iii) The safety considerations for the user of the computer desk. (i) The function or purpose of the computer desk. To allow the user to efficiently use and store a home computer system. The computer desk would be for a user who has little space and needs to make efficient use of the space he/she has. 1. No sharp edges / corners / surfaces. 2. Strength of unit – to safely support weight of computer system. 3. Ergonomics – so product can be used safely over period of time. 4. Can't catch fingers in runners / drawers 5. Stable – can support weight of user resting on edges

Product Analysis Exam Questions (b) The computer desk is made from laminated chipboard. State two properties that make it the most suitable material for the computer desk. Property 1: ……………………………………………………………………………… … [1] Property 2: ……………………………………………………………………………… [1] (c) The computer desk was made using large scale production. Explain why this is the most suitable scale of production. [2] ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………… …………… (d) The computer desk has to appeal to potential customers. Describe the appeal of the product in terms of one of the following : [2] fashions trends styles Circle your chosen criteria above and write your description below. 1.Available in range of finishes. 2. Easily cleaned. 3. Safe finish for use with children. 4. Is cheap to manufacture. 5. Can be mass produced. 6. Suitable for flat packing. 7. Renewable material. 1. Can produce a lot of products cheaply in big quantities, all identical. 2.Automated process; needs relatively few people to make. 3.Suitability for making flat packed. The product follows the current trends of designs that are simplistic, functional and available at low cost this would appeal to potential customers.

(a) Before starting to design the toy a Design Specification was written. State with as much detail as you can, what you think was the most important design specification point for each of the following aspects. Product Analysis Exam Questions Question 1. The photograph shows a toy. (iii) The safety considerations for the user of the toy. (i) The function or purpose of the toy. (iv) The material considerations for the toy. The purpose of the toy is to entertain and stimulate its user through play. The toy uses bright, bold, eye-catching, primary colours that attract the user. 1. No sharp edges / corners / surfaces. 2. No small parts that may be a choking hazard. 3. Not made from any toxic materials / finishes that could poison its users. (ii) The aesthetics for the toy. 1.Not made from any toxic materials that could poison its users. 2.Made from materials that can be recycled such as thermoplastics. 3. Made from durable materials that can withstand constant use.

Product Analysis Exam Questions (b) The toy is made from polystyrene. State two properties that make it the most suitable material for the toy. Property 1: ……………………………………………………………………………… … [1] Property 2: ……………………………………………………………………………… [1] (c) The toy was made using large scale production. Explain why this is the most suitable scale of production. [2] ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………… …………… 1.Available in range of finishes. 2. Easily cleaned. 3. Safe finish for use with children. 4. Is cheap to manufacture. 5. Can be mass produced. 6. Renewable material. 1. Can produce a lot of products cheaply in big quantities, all identical. 2.Automated process; needs relatively few people to make.

(a) Before starting to design the desk tidy a Design Specification was written. State with as much detail as you can, what you think was the most important design specification point for each of the following aspects. Product Analysis Exam Questions Question 1. The photograph shows a desk tidy. (ii) The safety considerations for the user of the desk tidy. (i) The function or purpose of the desk tidy. (iii) The material considerations for the desk tidy. 1.Not made from any toxic materials that could poison its users. 2.Made from materials that can be recycled such as thermoplastics. 3. Made from durable materials that can withstand constant materials. 1. No sharp edges / corners / surfaces. 2. No small parts that may be a choking hazard. 3. Not made from any toxic materials / finishes that could poison its users. The purpose of the desk tidy is to organise and keep the users desk tidy by storing their loose stationary.

(a) Before starting to design the chair a Design Specification was written. State with as much detail as you can, what you think was the most important design specification point for each of the following aspects. Product Analysis Exam Questions Question 1. The photograph shows a plastic garden chair. (ii) The safety considerations for the user of the plastic garden chair. (i) The function or purpose of the plastic garden chair. (iii) The sustainability and environmental issues for the plastic garden chair. The purpose of the garden chair is to provide its user a place to rest in comfort outdoors. 1. No sharp edges / corners / surfaces. 2. Not made from any toxic materials / finishes that could poison its users. 3. Ergonomic and anthropometric data used to make the design to a size and shape that will not cause its users any discomfort. 1. Not made from any toxic materials / finishes that could poison/damage the environment. 2. Manufactured from a material that has been reused/recycled. 3.Manufactured from a material that can be recycled. 4. Ensure that the design is manufactured to a high quality so it can withstand constant use, this means less break and end up in landfill.