1. Textiles Evaluation Techniques
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For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.
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2. Learning objectives Learning objectives
To understand that evaluation is a very important part of the design and manufacturing process, and should take place at different stages of the process.
To realize the importance of:
evaluating your research
evaluating your final product against the design brief and the product and manufacturing specifications
asking prospective end users for feedback
testing your final product.
To recognize that when criticizing a design or product, it is necessary to include your own personal solutions or improvements.
Learning objectives
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3. Research
Research is the starting point of the design process. Information can be gathered from a number of sources, including catalogues, websites and shops.
Coursework tips
Make sure you keep a record of your research sources.
Write down all your findings and note how they will inspire your designs.
Include details as to which source gave you the most and best information.
Keep all your research, even if you think it is irrelevant.

4. Examples of research evaluation
Research method used
Exhibition
Why I used this method
Displaying a product that I am designing
Information that I found out
What new products are being launched
Did it help?
Yes, I found out about competitors
Is this information relevant?
Yes, I want to design something innovative
Research method used
Questionnaire, sent through the post
Why I used this method
Not many manufacturers in the area
Information that I found out
Very little; they did not give much away
Did it help?
No, not much information gathered
Is this information relevant?
No, as above

5. Evaluating as you work Analyse your initial design ideas:
What can you realistically achieve in the time available?
How much will the materials for each design cost?
Which design best answers the brief?
Produce a model:
Does the model work?
Ask prospective end users for feedback.
Adapt your design if necessary.
As you make the final product:
Evaluate the quality of your making.

6. Evaluation criteria A finished product should be evaluated against:
the design brief and design specification
the requirements of the client/end user
the product and manufacturing specifications
health and safety regulations
quality checks.
Photo from Sentinel Clothing Company (
These finished vests are being checked for quality before they leave the factory.

7. Design brief
Look at the design brief and the designer’s final product. Evaluate the dress.
Design brief
Design a dress aimed at a six-year-old girl. It will be worn as casual summer daywear and should appeal to a wide market. It must be comfortable and allow the child to dress herself.
Hook and eye fastenings
You may wish to highlight key points in the design brief to encourage students to evaluate whether or not the dress fulfils the brief.
Made of heavy stiff fabric

8. Desirable or essential?

9. Design brief Did the designer get it right?
Would the colour of the dress appeal to a six-year-old girl?
What about some more some decoration, e.g. appliqué?
A six-year-old would never be able to fasten hooks and eyes!
The stiff fabric would be really uncomfortable.
The sleeves could get in the way.

10. Product specification
Now that your product is complete, look back at your product specification.
Would you change any of the fabrics and why?
Would you change the colour of the fabric and why?
Would you change any of the fastenings and why?
Would you change any of the features, e.g. pockets, and why?

11. Evaluation against specification

12. Manufacturing specification
The manufacturing specification holds all the instructions for making a particular product. Once a product is complete, the manufacturing specification can be evaluated and improvements suggested to the manufacturing process.
The manufacturing specification will include the following:
Detailed time scale plan – look at this to see if there are any changes that can take place, e.g. the process may take too long and require modifying .
Flow diagram – this will identify any problems that may arise. It also shows where and when key tasks are undertaken.

13. Gantt chart
This Gantt chart is editable so students can change the manufacturing stages to match their own products if you wish.

14. Flow diagram: for making a pair of boy’s trousers
Start
Pin & tack inside leg seam
Sew inside leg seam
Pin & tack c/f seam
Pin & tack top of trousers
Sew c/f seam
Sew around top
Pin & tack c/b seam
Thread drawstring
Sew c/b seam
Try on
Pin & tack side seam 1
Pin hems
Sew side seam 1
Tack hems
Pin & tack side seam 2 No
Sew side seam 2
Are the above stages okay?
Yes
Are the stitch lengths and seam allowance correct? No
Yes
Iron
Finish

15. Manufacturing specification
What does the information in the Gantt chart and flow chart tell you?
Can the process be shortened to enable the manufacturer to make more products within a limited time period?
Are any of the processes not being done properly? Should more time be taken?
Can any of the processes be done in a different order?
When is checking taking place?

16. How will you test your product?
Think of a number of different ways that you can test your product.
Design a questionnaire and interview a number of people in the target group.
Test your product, e.g. wear a winter jacket outside in extreme temperatures.
Evaluate the items in a group discussion.

17. Client/end user feedback
Show your product to prospective end users and ask them to try it out for its intended use.
A list of questions for the user to answer will help them through the process.
The user may also be given a copy of the design brief and specification.
The user should be asked questions that are personal to them as well as others that refer back to the specification.
Coursework tips
Take photos of the user trying out the product to include in your coursework portfolio.
You could also ask users what they think about similar existing products.

18. Client/end user
List of questions and answers for an outdoor walking jacket.

19. Performance test for a babies’ play mat
Lay the play mat out on the floor and let the baby explore and find things for itself. Things that you may want to note:
Which colours attract the baby’s attention?
Do they play with any of the sections more than others?
How do they react – smile, laugh, etc.?
How long does the play mat hold their attention?
Can they reach any hanging components?
If possible try it out on a number of babies with a range of different ages.

20. Final report Your final report should say:
whether the product met the design brief
to what extent the product matched your product specification
how you produced the product and what materials you chose to use
what improvements could be made to the manufacturing process
how well the product works, and what it looks like
what others have said about the product
how your product compares with alternative products
what could be improved about the product.

21. Key points
It is important to evaluate your work at all stages of the design process.
A research evaluation allows you to assess the usefulness of different research methods.
Evaluating against the design brief and product and manufacturing specifications will tell you how well your product met the criteria set, and allows you to suggest how the end product and the manufacturing process could have been improved.
Ask potential end users to test your product to see if it works in real-life situations.
Key points
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