Design &
Technology
PRODUCT DESIGN
SPECIFICATION
is a list of requirements
sets out the key features of a product
is a series of bullet points
is clear and brief or concise
is precise and specific using data Specification
wherever possible
relates to the research
is the criteria for evaluation
is used throughout the design process.
Function Performance Market
Aesthetics Quality Safety
Specification
Requirements
Material
Environment Size
Properties
Cost Packaging
Generally used to refer to the
technical actions performed
by a product or what the
product does. It may have Function
several functions.
(Brief Analysis/Situation
Analysis)
How well it performs its
functions.
Performance
(Brief analysis, Situation
analysis, Focus group)
What makes the product
appropriate for the target
market
(Focus group/ Questionnaires /
Market
Product Analysis)
What aesthetic qualities will
the product need to have?
(Situation analysis / Focus Aesthetics
group/ Questionnaire / Product
Analysis / Aesthetic influences)
Define the quality levels that
aspects of the product will
need to achieve.
(Situation analysis / Focus
Quality
group / Product Analysis)
What factors will make the
product 'safe'?
(Focus group / Product Analysis Safety
/ Safety Research)
How can the product be
produced with minimal
effect on the environment? Environment
(Material/Finishes/Manufacturing
/Assembly)
What properties do the
materials used in the product
need to have?
(Situation Analysis / Focus
Material
Group / Product Analysis) Properties
What are the key sizes
important for this product,
including anthropometric
data? Size
(Product Analysis /
Anthropometric Data)
How important is cost to the
client/target market?
(Situation Analysis / Focus Cost
group /Questionnaires)
What must the packaging
achieve?
(Brief Analysis / Situation Packaging
Analysis / Packaging
Research)
What materials are used to make the product and why? Does the product look good? Does it
Would another type of material work better? What
impact could the designers choice of material have on
make good use of colour and texture?
the environment? Where do the materials and other What has inspired it’s appearance? (E.g.
Does the product do the job it was intended resources needed for production come from? Are they
to do? How does it work? How easy is it to likely to run out?
is it organic? Is it industrial?)
use? What effects will using it have,
including those beyond intended use and
user?
ADD THE What is the estimated cost of the product? What is the
retail price? What is the relationship between the two? Is
PRODUCT IMAGE the product affordable? Does it offer value for money?
What is the product’s cost in relation to the income of
Are the product’s proportions appropriate for
its use? If you increased or decreased the
HERE potential buyers/users?
products size, would it look or function better?
Who is the product designed for? How and where would
they use it? What effect will it have on their lives and
relationships? Will it add value? How is the product
How has the designer considered safety issues in the What is the product’s impact on the environment? What promoted to attract customers? Has the designer
products design? Think about the ways it is being used happens to the product after use? How long will it last? considered how people will interact with the product?
and how different parts have been joined together. Are What factors limit/lengthen its life span? Can it be Does the product target a particular age group or sector of
there any risk assessment issues in relation to the use of repaired? Can parts be replaced? How easily can it be people? What assumptions have been made about the
the product? recycled? Who would pay for the cost of recycling? potential buyers/users?
Product Analysis Size Materials
Aesthetics
This looks like it’s about 10cm high and similar I mentioned materials in the cost section. I
I like the way music note paper has been used to wide. The good thing about paper and this sort of would be able to use old sheet music books
create the heart shapes. It’s quite a narrow theme design is that I could make something that’s a
(perhaps only people who like note music or read variety of sizes.
and upcycle the paper. I could spend time
music would want to buy this?). It is quite a neutral printing sheet music onto card to make it
colour that would suit most homes and decoration more study, but I think if you folded and
preferences. I like the soft, flowing curves of the
heart shape and the way they fit within each
layered paper from old books that would
other, this is the sort of feature I would like to copy make it sturdy too. They have used a nice
for my designs. red ribbon to hang the decoration from. This
Cost
gives it a more luxurious feel to the product
These look like they would be very cheap to and a better quality. The ribbon is more
produce. You could use old sheet music to fold and likely to last a long time too. I could guess
cut to size. Books like this might otherwise have
been thrown away so you’d be doing your bit for
that the heart has been glued together with
the environment as well. The only expense might a hot glue gun or a good water based paper
be the nice ribbon but the decoration would only glue. I could use a double sided tape to make
need small pieces for this – you would get quite a
few out of a whole roll. The website that is selling
it even more strong and avoid wetting the
these sells them on for £3.95. paper with damp glue and it going curly.
Customer Safety
This looks like it would appeal to a range of Function There aren’t many things to consider in terms of safety.
people, mostly an adult audience, specifically The decoration must hang from a tree (or similar) this However where the paper is folded, that produces a softer
those who like a traditional style. The yellowing product looks like it would do that effectively as it’s edge compare to the “raw” edge of paper or card. This
effect of the paper gives it a traditional feel so I shown hanging in the image. This product is also would help eliminate any paper cut risks. It’s not a heavy
could see this in a more traditional (Christmas) double sided. It wouldn’t matter if the decoration span product so it falling from it’s hanging position might not
household. I think people who enjoy hand made round, it would still look nice and effective. I would result in injury but it must hang safely. The only other issue
crafts would also be the sort of people to buy and want to copy this sort of feature and make sure my might be a fire hazard. I could invest in making it fire proof
hang these decorations. decoration looked good from every angle. by coating it in something but this might add to the cost.
Thank You Ms. Mina Gallosa
Design and Technology
