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Successful product design depends on asking the right questions about the proposed product's function, purpose, shape, form, colour and texture. Product designers need to be able to analyse existing products, and be aware of new technologies and consumer demand for the new product.
The first stage in designing your own products is writing the design specification [design specification: document containing details of a product's required characteristics, and all the processes, materials and other information needed to design the product ]. Throughout the design and making process the designer should check that the product matches the specification - and that quality is maintained.
Product analysis
Product design analysis means studying how well a product does its job. When you are analysing the design of a product you need to ask these questions:
- What is the function and purpose of the product?
- What are the different parts of the product and how do they work together?
- How does the product use shape [shape: A visual element. Shape is the visual appearance of something. ], formform: A style of poem, with a particular pattern of rhythm, rhyme pattern or regular line length (eg sonnet, couplets or ballad)., colour, texture [texture: A visual element. Texture is the way surfaces look and feel. ] and decoration [decoration: non-functional additions to a product to make it more interesting or appealing. Decoration may be done using line, colour, shape or additional materials. ]?
- What materials are used to make the product?
- What components [components: The different elements that make up a system or device. ] are used in the product?
- Which processes were used to make the product?
- Who would buy this product?
- How well does the product do its job compared with other similar products?
- If two or more products are similar and do the same sort of job, what are their unique points?
The table below will help you understand the meaning of shape, form, colour, texture and decoration.
| Property | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shape |
| Shape is two and three dimensional - a flat area which has lines round it. |
| Form |
| Form is three-dimensional - it is a solid object made up of shapes joined together. The object shown in this picture shows how form has been used to create an attractive design. |
| Colour |
| Colour is used to make a product more interesting and attractive. Colour may be applied to a product, eg by painting, or use can be made of the natural colour of the material, eg acrylic. |
| Texture |
| Texture is used to make an object more interesting. Surfaces are made 3-dimensional to some extent by the use of grooves, patterns and the application of other materials such as fabrics. |
| Decoration |
| Decoration may be achieved by the use of different colours, shapes or materials. A decoration may be pasted onto a product, or be part of the material itself.The object in this picture has been decorated to make it look more interesting. |
Tips for successful product design analysis
- Make sure you understand what the product actually does and how it works.
- Learn carefully how products are made in industry - especially look at what materials are used and how they are cut, shaped, formed, joined and finished.
- Apply this knowledge to the product you are asked to analyse.
- Think carefully about possible markets for different products: Who would buy the product? Why would they buy it? Where would it be used? Who would use the product?
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