Factors_Affecting_Design_and_the_Development_and_Success_of_Design_Projects

Chapter 13 Factors affecting design and the development and success of design projects Appropriate of the design solution The design solution must be in context with the problem. The outcome of the design process – the resulting product, system or environment – must consider the end user and the environment in which it is to be used. It must perform the task for which it was designed efficiently whilst taking into account how and where it will be used and by whom. Needs The need identified may present itself as a problem experienced by consumers that may be solved by designing a new or improved product. Needs Analysis In-depth exploration of the needs and wants of the target market. Used to establish a genuine need or opportunity and ensure that the design solution is in response to that need. Function Function refers the ability of a product to repeatedly perform the task for which it was designed. Aesthetics Aesthetics refers to the physical appearance of a product and its visual appeal to the target market. Age, gender, socio-economic background and current trends are some factors, which will influence the acceptance of the aesthetic appearance of a product. Finance Finance refers to the monetary costs associated with all phases of the development of a product from designing to research and development, establishing and maintaining manufacturing processes, product distribution and ongoing advertising/marketing costs. Entrepreneur A person who sets up and manages new commercial enterprises to make a profit. Ergonomics Ergonomics may be defined as the relationship between the human user and their physical or work environment. It is the process of designing workplaces, products and systems so that they fit the people who use them. Occupational health and safety (OHS) Occupational health and safety (OHS) refers to both the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees in the workplace. Employees have the right to a safe and healthy work environment (provision of appropriate safety equipment, adequate training, well-maintained equipment and machinery, good lighting and ventilation and the responsibility to adhere to all safety regulations and procedures put in place by the employer (wearing/using safety equipment, following evacuation procedures, not using machinery if untrained). WorkCover WorkCover is the government regulatory body responsible for workplace safety. Quality We associate quality with durability and expect the product to repeatedly work as designed for a long period of time. We associate quality with a higher cost for a product and consumers may be prepared to pay more if they feel the product will work more effectively and last longer. We associate quality with brand name products because those companies may have a long standing reputation for producing products that work well. We associate quality with superior materials and finishes. We may also associate quality with manufacturing processes and workmanship. Short-term and long-term environmental consequences Short-term and long-term environmental consequences may relate to the more immediate impacts of designing and producing such as the selection and use of resources and the production of wastage and pollution. Long-term and long-term environmental consequences Long-term and long-term environmental consequences such as global warming as a result of the greenhouse effect, rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity and the depletion of the ozone layer may have catastrophic global impacts on future generations if we, as both designers and consumers do not make positive informed choices now. Global warming Global warming increase in average land and sea temperatures on Earth. Greenhouse effect The gradual warming of the earth’s surface caused by an increase in gases in the atmosphere (caused by human activity) Obsolescence When a product or technology is no longer of functional use, it must be discarded and replaced. Built-in-obsolescence Built-in-obsolescence refers to products which have been designed to fail within a given period of time. Built-in-obsolescence is incorporated into the product at the time of designing and may involved designing products which cannot be repaired or have components replaced, using poor quality finishes that will deteriorate over a set time period or using materials with lower durability that will fail after a period of repeated use. Life-cycle analysis Life-cycle analysis is a comprehensive examination of the total resource usage of a product form initial concept through design, manufacture, distribution, usage and finally disposal. It analyses the environmental impact of the product considering all inputs (materials/resources and energy) plus all outputs (pollution and wastage).