1. Got Design? Design Optimization Through M.A.S.H. Analysis

2. M.A.S.H. A method of generating, tracking, and objectively evaluating product design in this environment. –Mechanics –Aesthetics –Sustainability –Human Factors

3. Product Design Function Form Environmental Impact Ease of Use

4. Product Analysis Broadly defined categories need to be tailored to suit each design project. Electronic interface projects will have different issues than developing a new weed whacker. Raw materials: pixels vs. metals and plastics.

5. Mechanics Focus on product structure and function. How does the design perform its intended function? What materials is it made from? How is it constructed or assembled? Is it based on existing or emerging technology platform? How do these elements impact the product’s efficiently and durability? What kind of mechanical limitations do you expect to encounter?

6. Aesthetics Focus on a product’s form and appearance. Is it based on a certain type of proportion system? Is there an historical or natural precedent for appealing shapes and colors? What color/colors is it? What does its shape/form communicate to the viewer? Is it an appropriate size and scale for its intended use? Is it meant to evoke a certain mood or emotion? Is it appropriate for its intended audience? How and where are graphics and labels applied?

7. Sustainability Focus on the environmental impact of the design. How long will the product be useful (intended lifespan)? Is it meant to wear out or be disposable? Can it be made from recycled materials? Can it be disassembled so its parts can be recycled or reused? Can you reduce the number of parts or fasteners required? Does it have multiple uses? Where does its power come from? Is that energy source renewable? Are the manufacturing processes required to create it harmful? Is there a service that exists that could replace this product?

8. Human Factors Focus on human interaction. What are the important human measurements for interaction with the product? In what environment will this human and product interact? Will that influence the parson’s or product’s performance? Are there any conceptual, physical, or cultural barriers to your product’s acceptance and use? How much learning or training is required for someone to use the product? Is it safe to use? Can you minimize unintentional use or reduce the negative impact of incorrect use? Is your design fun or pleasurable to use?

9. Idea-Generation Tool Use M.A.S.H. as a structure for guiding and collecting ideas. Filter out extraneous ideas and generate sufficient depth. List as many variables as possible in each category. Systematically or randomly combine them to guide a new design. Some obvious relationships will form. Some relationships will be surprises. Some designs will be practical and others will radical.

10. An Evaluation Tool M.A.S.H. can be used as an objective measure of an objective performance. Used to easily identify strengths and weaknesses of a given design concept.

11. Scoring Score Poor as 1 to Excellent as 5 with 2, 3, 4 in between. Add the scores and divide by the number of scores. Multiply by 10 and add 50. –Example: 3.2 avg. X 10 + 50 = 82

12. Mechanics Function Materials Production Construction Assembly Technology Efficiency Durability Limitations poor excellentn/a

13. Aesthetics Proportions Precedent Color Semantics Scale Emotions Appropriate Branding Graphics poor n/aexcellent

14. Sustainability Life-Span Obsolescence Recycled Disassembly Parts Multiuse Energy Source Manufacture Service poor n/aexcellent

15. Human Factors Anthropometrics Ergonomics Learning Physical Access Cultural Access Concepts Access Safety Error Pleasure poor n/aexcellent