Product Design Analysis

Product analysis can take different forms but in general it means asking questions about a
product and forming answers. It can mean experts analysing a product or members of the general
public or potential customers/groups of people. Product analysis can take place at almost any
stage of the design process.

Product analysis can be carried out by:

1. An individual product being analysed.

2. Alternatively a number of similar products can be compared with each other using the same
criteria.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PRODUCT ANALYSIS?

A product may need analysing by a potential customer to help him/her decide whether it is worth
buying.

A product may need analysing so that the design can be improved.

Sometimes a prototype or model may be analysed. In this way improvements can be made before
the full sized, costly product is manufactured.

Every product is designed in a particular way - product analysis enables us to

understand the important materials, processing, economic and aesthetic decisions
which are required before any product can be manufactured. An understanding of
these decisions can help us in designing and making for ourselves.

WHAT IS THE CRITERIA USED?

Key word What it means

Aesthetics How does the product appeal to the human senses?
Cost What is the cost to make and to buy the product?
Customer What is the target market/intended user of the product?

Environment What impact does the product have on the environment?

Size What are the product’s measurements in terms of mm?

Safety How safe or ergonomic is the product for the consumer to use?
Function How does the product work/what are its main features?

Materials What materials and components have been used to make it?
When analysing a product first prepare a list of questions, this is known as a criteria. Look at the
table (above). For example, the criteria listed below could apply to the table when it is being
analysed.

1. ERGONOMICS
Is the table the right size (height, length and width). Will a potential customer need to stretch too
far when using the table? Will this make it uncomfortable for the customer?

2. COST
How much will it cost to manufacture the product and how much will it sell for in the shops?

3. AESTHETICS
Does the product look good? Is it stylish? Is the style to the customers liking.?

4. CONSTRUCTION / MANUFACTURING METHOD

How was the product made? What processes? Type of production – Job shop, Batch, mass,
continuous? What joining methods/ techniques have been used? Is the product well constructed
(will it fall apart when in use? Will it scratch easily? etc.....)

5. CLIENT REQUIREMENTS
Is the product what the customer wants? What changes are required to make the product suitable
for the client/customer? Does the customer like the product?

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY

Is the product safe? Does it fulfil Health and Safety Laws?

7. COLOUR AND TEXTURE

Is the colour/texture of the product effective? Or is it what the customer wants?

8. MATERIALS
Are the materials suitable for this type of product? Are they quality materials or do they make
the product look cheap? Can the materials be recycled or reused?

9. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
What is the environmental impact of the product? Is it manufactured from materials supplied by
sustainable sources? For example, if manufactured from natural woods have they been supplied
from sustainable forests?

Mind Mapping: This a tool used to illicit the factors of investigation during the Analysis.