What is iterative design?
A cyclical approach to the design and development process
What happens in the iterative design process
- Designs and development are continually tested, evaluated and refined
- designs may be trialled & modified several times before the prototype is finalised
So enables further modifications and improvements as the designs process continues
What is User-centred design? (UCD)
Developing a new product to suit the needs and wants of the consumer
What does User-centred design do?
- develop products that consumers need or want
- Identify a target market and understand how, when & why they will use the product
- Involves users in all stages of the design process
- test and evaluate the design at every stage
What’s an example of designing to meet a need?
“Lady Levis” - The first pair of women’s jeans 1934 and were aimed at women working on ranches and sold in several western states
What is primary data? Give some examples
Information gathered using direct research methods
E.g.
- Questionnaires or surveys
- Interviews
- focus groups & customer panels
- product analysis
What is secondary data? Give some examples
Information previously gathered by other researchers or businesses
E.g.
- trend forecasts
- designer influences
- sales & company reports
- media sources
What is market research?
The collection of data to establish a need for a specific product and considers the target market, current trends and competitors
What are focus groups?
These are set up by market researchers to find out views of the target market
- they are small groups of the target market - should be a good spread of the demographic for varied opinions
- feedback is analysed and evaluated
What are customer panels?
focus groups that meet regularly throughout the product development
What is product analysis & evaluation
Researchers and designers investigate existing, comparable products within the market to identify useful features
- data collected can help develop ideas for new or improved products
What does anthropometric data provide?
Standard measurements of the average human body
Data is then used to make decisions about which sizes are appropriate for their target market
What are percentiles used for?
Used to ensure a product can be used by the majority of the target market
What is ergonomic data?
The study of how people and products interact
What does ergonomic data provide?
Data is collected from studies into how the body changes during movement which has an impact on the choice of fabric and garment shape
Example of when anthropometric data and ergonomic data is used?
Pattern grading - pattern proportions are adjusted to give a range of different sizes for the same product
What is taken into account when a prototype manufacture is drawn up?
- materials, techniques & processes that will be used
- the tools and equipment required
- Quality assurance procedures to be adopted
- Quality control checks required during manufacture
What happens to the final prototype and what does this process do?
Tested and evaluated, with the involvement of the customer panel
- this process will expose necessary or desired modifications to make the manufacturing process cost effective
