Topic: Chapter 2 – Learning from existing products and practice
Analysing a product helps to establish an understanding for it and allows you to learn from its successes and areas for
improvement to improve the design of your own product. When analysing existing products, examine the actual
product rather than images of it. This helps you establish a better understanding of the product, such as its strengths
and weaknesses. If you are not a user of the product, observe it in use by its primary users.
To analyse an existing product:
· Analyse the aesthetics (appearance) of the product, such as its colour, shape, proportions (size) and texture.
Does it have special finishes or protective components? Is it easy to understand its purpose?
· Examine the function of the product, if it functions well, how it is meant to be used and by whom (context)
· Examine its manufacturing method such as if it has been batch or mass produced, the materials used, how the
material chosen is suitable for the product, if its sustainable, if it is easy to maintain, if parts can be replaced/
fixed if broken.
Disassembly: To take apart a product to examine it in detail, to see the materials and components that make up its
construction. It allows you to consider each part of the product, its function, and what happens to it at the end of its
useful life.
Fashion, Trends, Taste, and/or Style
Throughout design history, there have been distinctive styles that can be linked to a period in time, which still influence
designers today. Examples are Art Nouveau (1890-1905), Art Deco (1925-1939), Organic Design (1930-present) and
Minimalist design (1960s-present).
Designers can emulate styles of the past and stay up to date with new consumer trends. 21 st century fashion trends
change frequently, such as the recent market pull towards ethical design and environmentally friendly design.
Marketing and Branding
Marketing and branding are used to influence potential customers by persuading them to buy the advertiser’s product
or use their service and therefore allow a company to make money. For marketing to be successful, there needs to be a
demand for the product.
It is vital to understand who the target market is and to design the marketing the right way to draw them in. The
manufacturing industry must take into account customer requirements in order to develop new and improved products
with a competitive edge.
New products are usually developed due to market pull or technology push. New materials and technologies can cause
current products to be obsolete. Successful marketing usually includes promoting a brand image and developing new
markets for the product. A brand can be a name or logo, and developing a successful brand gives the company in
question a competitive edge over products over a similar or slightly higher quality if the product in question comes from
a little-known brand.
Impact on Society
When analysing products, consider the impact it has on society. People from different countries and cultures will react
differently to a product, such as differing interpretations of colours. Societally is continually changing. One example
Analysing a product helps to establish an understanding for it and allows you to learn from its successes and areas for
improvement to improve the design of your own product. When analysing existing products, examine the actual
product rather than images of it. This helps you establish a better understanding of the product, such as its strengths
and weaknesses. If you are not a user of the product, observe it in use by its primary users.
To analyse an existing product:
· Analyse the aesthetics (appearance) of the product, such as its colour, shape, proportions (size) and texture.
Does it have special finishes or protective components? Is it easy to understand its purpose?
· Examine the function of the product, if it functions well, how it is meant to be used and by whom (context)
· Examine its manufacturing method such as if it has been batch or mass produced, the materials used, how the
material chosen is suitable for the product, if its sustainable, if it is easy to maintain, if parts can be replaced/
fixed if broken.
Disassembly: To take apart a product to examine it in detail, to see the materials and components that make up its
construction. It allows you to consider each part of the product, its function, and what happens to it at the end of its
useful life.
Fashion, Trends, Taste, and/or Style
Throughout design history, there have been distinctive styles that can be linked to a period in time, which still influence
designers today. Examples are Art Nouveau (1890-1905), Art Deco (1925-1939), Organic Design (1930-present) and
Minimalist design (1960s-present).
Designers can emulate styles of the past and stay up to date with new consumer trends. 21 st century fashion trends
change frequently, such as the recent market pull towards ethical design and environmentally friendly design.
Marketing and Branding
Marketing and branding are used to influence potential customers by persuading them to buy the advertiser’s product
or use their service and therefore allow a company to make money. For marketing to be successful, there needs to be a
demand for the product.
It is vital to understand who the target market is and to design the marketing the right way to draw them in. The
manufacturing industry must take into account customer requirements in order to develop new and improved products
with a competitive edge.
New products are usually developed due to market pull or technology push. New materials and technologies can cause
current products to be obsolete. Successful marketing usually includes promoting a brand image and developing new
markets for the product. A brand can be a name or logo, and developing a successful brand gives the company in
question a competitive edge over products over a similar or slightly higher quality if the product in question comes from
a little-known brand.
Impact on Society
When analysing products, consider the impact it has on society. People from different countries and cultures will react
differently to a product, such as differing interpretations of colours. Societally is continually changing. One example
