Design · Higher
Briefs, research & evaluation
9 cards · 7 quiz · 3 exam
Design & Manufacture · Higher · mrkellydt.co.uk
What you're learning in this topic
Learning intention WALT
We are learning about briefs, research & evaluation, specifically to:
know
- the methods used to evaluate products: comparisons, user trials, comparison against the specification, questionnaires
understand
- why research is carried out during the design process
- the key stages of a questionnaire
- the key stages of a user trip
- the purpose of the design brief and compare open and closed briefs
- the difference between primary and secondary research, with examples
- the key stages of surveys, comparisons, tests and test rigs, and user trials
- why existing products are evaluated
Success criteria WILF
- I can explain why research is carried out during the design process
- I can describe the key stages of a questionnaire
- I can describe the key stages of a user trip
- I can name the methods used to evaluate products: comparisons, user trials, comparison against the specification, questionnaires
- I can explain the purpose of the design brief and compare open and closed briefs
- I can explain the difference between primary and secondary research, with examples
- I can describe the key stages of surveys, comparisons, tests and test rigs, and user trials
- I can explain why existing products are evaluated
The design brief HIGHER
A brief outlines the main objectives of the task and identifies important constraints.
- Open brief: few constraints. Gives the designer creative freedom, but the client has less control over the outcome.
- Closed brief: specific constraints. Clear direction for the designer, but limits creativity.
Why we research
- To inform the product design specification.
- To clarify and inform decisions made while exploring and refining ideas.
- Researching existing products identifies the factors that influence design, manufacture and marketing, and the materials, processes and assembly methods used.
Before gathering research, decide: what information is needed, how it will be gathered and how it will be displayed.
Primary and secondary research
- Primary (you gather it): questionnaires, interviews, user trips, user trials, product comparisons, measuring critical sizes.
- Secondary (someone else gathered it): books, journals, magazines, product reviews, internet.
Questionnaires: key stages
- Identify what information is required.
- Establish who, and how many people, will complete it.
- Select question types (open or closed).
- Trial the questionnaire.
- Distribute, collect and analyse the responses.
Keep it short: too many questions and people answer less carefully.
User trips: key stages
Usually carried out by a member of the design team, who knows what information to look for.
- Define the purpose of the user trip.
- Identify where the product will be used.
- Use the product and record strengths, weaknesses and opinions on its function, performance, ease of use and aesthetics.
- Record and analyse the results.
Choosing a research technique
| Technique | Choose it when you need… |
|---|---|
| Questionnaire / survey | Opinions from lots of people in the target market, quickly and anonymously; results easy to graph |
| User trip | First-hand experience of how a product works in its real setting |
| User trial | To see how real users actually behave with the product |
| Measuring critical sizes | Exact dimensions of things the product must hold, fit or suit (anthropometrics) |
| Product comparison | To spot strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the market among existing products |
| Books, internet, reviews | Facts, standards, material data and other users' opinions without testing yourself |
Other techniques: key stages HIGHER
- User trial: define the purpose; invite appropriate people (real users); observe, record and analyse their interactions.
- Tests and test rigs: establish the information required; identify a suitable test method; carry out tests; record and analyse results. Rigs repeat an action many times to simulate extended use.
- Comparisons: identify information required; decide which aspects to compare; select products to compare; compare results.
- Surveys: similar stages to a questionnaire.
Evaluating products
Methods: comparison to other products, user trials, comparison against the specification, questionnaires.
- During development: test ideas, give feedback on decisions, identify areas to develop further.
- Existing products: find out how and why they succeed, spot design opportunities, identify strengths and weaknesses.
Key terms
| Primary research | Information you gather yourself, e.g. questionnaires, user trips, user trials, product comparisons. |
|---|---|
| Secondary research | Information gathered by someone else, e.g. books, journals, product reviews, websites. |
| Key stages of a questionnaire | Identify info needed → decide who/how many → choose question types → trial it → distribute, collect, analyse. |
| User trip | A designer uses the product themselves, recording strengths and weaknesses of function, performance, ease of use and aesthetics. |
| User trial | Real users test the product in a controlled setting while the designer observes and records interactions. |
| Test rig | A machine that repeats an action over and over to simulate extended use in a short time. |
| Open brief | Few constraints: gives the designer creative freedom. |
| Closed brief | Specific constraints: clear direction but limits creativity. |
| Evaluation methods (N5) | Comparison to other products, user trials, comparison against specification, questionnaires. |
Quick check
1. Which of these is secondary research?
- A user trip
- Measuring critical sizes
- A questionnaire you wrote
- A product review in a magazine
Show answer
D: A product review in a magazine. Someone else gathered the information, so it is secondary.
2. What is the first key stage of a questionnaire?
- Identify what information is required
- Trial the questionnaire with a small group
- Choose whether to use open or closed questions
- Decide how the results will be displayed
Show answer
A: Identify what information is required. You must know what you need to find out before deciding who to ask or what to ask.
3. Who normally carries out a user trip?
- A member of the target market
- A member of the design team
- A retailer
- A manufacturer
Show answer
B: A member of the design team. The designer uses the product so they know exactly what aspects to record.
4. Why is a questionnaire trialled before it is distributed?
- To make sure enough people in the target market will complete it
- So that it counts as both primary and secondary research
- To find confusing or unhelpful questions before wasting responses
- To decide which target market the questionnaire should go to
Show answer
C: To find confusing or unhelpful questions before wasting responses. A trial run shows whether the questions produce useful answers.
5. A company wants to know if a hinge will survive 10 years of use. Which technique fits best?
- Lifestyle board
- Product review
- Questionnaire
- Test rig
Show answer
D: Test rig. A test rig repeats the action many times to simulate long-term use quickly.
6. What is a drawback of an open brief for the client?
- The client has less control over the final outcome
- The designer has very little creative freedom
- It always takes longer to research and plan
- The product will cost more to manufacture
Show answer
A: The client has less control over the final outcome. Few constraints means the designer may take the product somewhere unexpected.
7. Which is NOT a purpose of research during the design process?
- Inform the specification
- Replace the need to evaluate
- Clarify decisions during refinement
- Identify materials used in existing products
Show answer
B: Replace the need to evaluate. Research and evaluation work together; one does not replace the other.
Exam-style questions
1. A designer used a questionnaire to research existing toasters. Describe the key stages of a questionnaire. (3 marks)
Show marking guidance
- Identify what information is required
- Establish who and how many people will complete it
- Select question types (open/closed)
- Trial the questionnaire
- Distribute, collect and analyse the results
- 1 mark per stage, in a logical order
2. Describe how a user trip could be used to research an existing product. (3 marks)
Show marking guidance
- Define the purpose of the user trip
- Identify where the product is used and use it in that setting
- Record strengths and weaknesses of function, performance, ease of use, aesthetics
- Analyse results to inform the specification
3. Describe a method that could be used to test the performance of a product and identify the type of information that could be gained. (3 marks)
Show marking guidance
- Name a suitable method, e.g. test rig or user trial (1)
- Description of how it is carried out, e.g. rig repeats opening/closing action thousands of times (1)
- Information gained, e.g. life expectancy, point of failure, durability of a part (1)
Printable worksheet
An I do, we do, you do worksheet for this topic, with a separate answer sheet.