Criterion A Strand 3 - Analysis of products.
iii. analyse a range of existing products that inspire a solution to the problem
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In strand 3 of Criterion A we are going to look at the design of some existing products to get some inspiration and to help give us some ideas about what could or could not work. The analysis should inspire your own ideas.
This strand addresses one Command term (analyse)
Analyse means to break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. To identify parts and relationships, and to interpret information to reach conclusions.
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You can use different techniques to analyse a product and depending on what type of product it is you should try to choose the most appropriate approach.
It's always better to analyse a real product that you can physically touch and look at closely, possibly even disassemble to look more closely at the design and how it's been made and assembled.
ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE 1 - PARTS, PURPOSES AND COMPLEXITIES
A good starting point is to look at the PARTS, PURPOSES and COMPLEXITIES of the product. To become a good designer you should practice the skill of looking closely at the products you use and thinking about what the different parts do. Analysing the PARTS (the different components that make up the design) the PURPOSE (what do these parts do? Do they have a function?) and do these have any COMPLEX features ( the way parts join or interact etc)
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A pencil sharpener may seem like a simple product at first glance. But by closely analysing its design we get a deeper understanding of how the pencil sharpener works and it helps us to identify the main points for consideration when we develop our own ideas.
ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE 2 - SWOT ANALYSIS
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Another excellent analysis technique is SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for STRENGTH, WEAKNESS, OPPORTUNITY AND THREAT. Create a table like the one below and put the four headings in as shown. Then you can analyse your product.
STRENGTHS - make a list of all the strong points which you feel make the design effective. Think about things like Function, Ergonomics, Durability, Cost, Aesthetics, Materials used, design features which make it stand out.
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WEAKNESSES - make a list of anything negative about the design - things that would make it difficult to use, uncomfortable, ugly, poor value for money, not very durable, poorly manufactured, basic function. Make sure you make specific comments about the product and not generic statements.
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OPPORTUNITIES - make a list of things which could be added to the product to improve it. Think of things that will make it perform better, added functionality or improve existing functions, improve the aesthetics (how it looks) or make it safer or easier to manufacture.
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THREATS - make a list of anything which could cause the product to become unusable, unsafe or unfit for purpose. This will be the most difficult box to fill as most products have been designed carefully to prevent them from being threatening in any way.
criterion A strand 3 checklist
You have analysed a range of products. They can be related or unrelated to the product you are designing.
extra information on Analysis
You have used different analysis techniques to help form opinions about the products.
You have listed the ways in which this analysis has inspired you (for good or bad reasons). List the things which have inspired your ideas.
