Product DesignProduct Design

Preparing for the Written Preparing for the Written ExamExam

Exam PreparationExam Preparation

the course breaks down into the the course breaks down into the following 9 topics.following 9 topics.

1.1. The design processThe design process

2.2. Researching informationResearching information

3.3. Idea generation techniquesIdea generation techniques

4.4. Designing for peopleDesigning for people

5.5. Communicating ideasCommunicating ideas

6.6. Factors that influence design decisionsFactors that influence design decisions

7.7. Manufacturing systemsManufacturing systems

8.8. Manufacturing processesManufacturing processes

9.9. MaterialsMaterials

Look at the tick off sheet given for breakdown

Exam PreparationExam Preparation

It is important to understand the It is important to understand the question and to give the correct to question and to give the correct to answer the question.answer the question.

Look at the following examples of Look at the following examples of questions with poor answers and the questions with poor answers and the best way to answer.best way to answer.

Example QuestionExample QuestionThe Design ProcessThe Design Process

Consider yourself in the role of a Consider yourself in the role of a consumer watchdog. Give an outline consumer watchdog. Give an outline description of four criteria you would description of four criteria you would use to evaluate a new domestic iron.use to evaluate a new domestic iron.

4 marks4 marks

Poor AnswerPoor AnswerI would evaluate ergonomics, comfort, I would evaluate ergonomics, comfort,

safety, and how much the iron costs.safety, and how much the iron costs.Why is this a poor answer?Why is this a poor answer?The pupil has not given an outline description of The pupil has not given an outline description of

any of the points and therefore has not answered any of the points and therefore has not answered the question. Also comfort is an area that would the question. Also comfort is an area that would be evaluated under the heading of ergonomics. be evaluated under the heading of ergonomics. This pupil has demonstrated only limited This pupil has demonstrated only limited knowledge of evaluation criteria.knowledge of evaluation criteria.

1 mark awarded.1 mark awarded.

Top AnswerTop Answeri.i. Safety is an important criterion. Things to be Safety is an important criterion. Things to be

considered are: how stable is the iron when considered are: how stable is the iron when sitting on the ironing board? How easily might sitting on the ironing board? How easily might the cord wear or fraythe cord wear or fray

ii.ii. Ease of use is important. Is it comfortable to Ease of use is important. Is it comfortable to hold? Can it be filled with water easily? Are the hold? Can it be filled with water easily? Are the controls easy to understand?controls easy to understand?

iii.iii. What functions and features the iron has. What functions and features the iron has. Range of temperature control settings, spray Range of temperature control settings, spray and steam options can be evaluated.and steam options can be evaluated.

iv.iv. Is the iron environmentally friendly/ two areas Is the iron environmentally friendly/ two areas that should be considered are: How much that should be considered are: How much power does it use? Can the materials be power does it use? Can the materials be recycledrecycled

Why it’s a top answer?Why it’s a top answer?

The pupil has selected 4 different The pupil has selected 4 different criteria and described what can be criteria and described what can be evaluated in each. Clearly they have evaluated in each. Clearly they have a deeper understanding of how to a deeper understanding of how to evaluate an iron. The answer is also evaluate an iron. The answer is also set out in 4 separate parts.set out in 4 separate parts.

4 Marks awarded4 Marks awarded

Exam QuestionExam QuestionResearching InformationResearching Information

Describe 2 types of activity that are Describe 2 types of activity that are carried out during:carried out during:

a.a. Desk researchDesk research 2 marks2 marks

b.b. Field researchField research 2 marks2 marks

Poor AnswerPoor Answera.a. Looking at the computer and reading books.Looking at the computer and reading books.

b.b. Doing surveys and testing thingsDoing surveys and testing things

Why is this a poor answer?Why is this a poor answer?

This is a very weak answer showing non This is a very weak answer showing non understanding of any of the activities stated by understanding of any of the activities stated by the pupil and how they relate to the research the pupil and how they relate to the research work for the product design. The question asks work for the product design. The question asks for a description – no description has been for a description – no description has been given.given.

0 marks given0 marks given

Top AnswerTop Answera.a. Desk research means that the designer can work from Desk research means that the designer can work from

the resources and information close to their office or the resources and information close to their office or home. One example would be downloading relevant home. One example would be downloading relevant information about the design work from the web or information about the design work from the web or finding something out such as information on materials finding something out such as information on materials from a web site. Another example would be reading from a web site. Another example would be reading articles from the books or magazines that they own and articles from the books or magazines that they own and have easy access to in the office or at home.have easy access to in the office or at home.

b.b. Field research requires the designer to go beyond their Field research requires the designer to go beyond their home or office and seek out information they require home or office and seek out information they require even at first they don’t know where to find it. A good even at first they don’t know where to find it. A good example is asking questions and discussing with the example is asking questions and discussing with the consumers their views on some area of design work that consumers their views on some area of design work that the designer wants information on. Another example the designer wants information on. Another example would be going to a library to find specific information would be going to a library to find specific information that they do not have access to in their officethat they do not have access to in their office

Why is it a top answer?Why is it a top answer?The pupil has starts off their answers by The pupil has starts off their answers by

describing what the field research and describing what the field research and desk research is. This makes it easy for desk research is. This makes it easy for them to put into context the examples of them to put into context the examples of activities used for each. The pupil reminds activities used for each. The pupil reminds the marker that they have given two the marker that they have given two examples for each by saying “another examples for each by saying “another example would be…”example would be…”

Full marks awarded.Full marks awarded.

Exam QuestionExam QuestionIdea Generation TechniquesIdea Generation Techniques

Explain what is meant by the term Explain what is meant by the term “Technological Transfer”“Technological Transfer”

2 marks2 marks

Poor AnswerPoor AnswerTechnology transfer is when one idea is used in Technology transfer is when one idea is used in

another productanother product

Why is it a poor answer?Why is it a poor answer?

The question is worth 2 marks and asks for an The question is worth 2 marks and asks for an explanation. It is unlikely that this pupil will gain2 explanation. It is unlikely that this pupil will gain2 marks writing just eleven words. It may be marks writing just eleven words. It may be difficult to explain what “technology Transfer” difficult to explain what “technology Transfer” means so take the time to give an example to means so take the time to give an example to illustrate your explanationillustrate your explanation

At best 1 markAt best 1 mark

Top Answer Top Answer Technology transfer is when an idea or part Technology transfer is when an idea or part

of an idea from one product is used to help of an idea from one product is used to help the design of another product. An example the design of another product. An example of this is the laser technology used in CD of this is the laser technology used in CD players. This technology was developed players. This technology was developed for home entertainment. It was developed for home entertainment. It was developed for military or medical use and its potential for military or medical use and its potential for use in CD’s was then recognised. This for use in CD’s was then recognised. This technology was adapted and then included technology was adapted and then included in CD players at a much reduced cost.in CD players at a much reduced cost.

Why it’s a top answerWhy it’s a top answer

The explanation was much better and The explanation was much better and it was backed up by a good example it was backed up by a good example to show that the pupil understands to show that the pupil understands the principle of technology transfer the principle of technology transfer

Full marks awardedFull marks awarded

ConclusionConclusion

Looking at these few examples it is Looking at these few examples it is clear to see that a full explanation is clear to see that a full explanation is neededneeded