Research involves- Collecting and collating information Analysing and reporting the findings Research helps identify Factors that affect consumer choices such

as cost, colour Consumer preferences within certain target

groups.

Primary research involves gathering the information yourself.

Such as shows and exhibitions Focus groups Questionnaires and surveys

Questionnaires and surveys are the most popular method of collecting and analysing consumer information. They can be face to face, telephone or postal.

You need a large sample for it to be reliable

Can be general or target certain groups

Questions should be clear and focused

Avoid leading questions or closed questions.

Focus groups bring together a small group of consumers so that designers can

ask questions about how products are used by consumers

Gain feedback on designs

Observe people using existing products to see how they function using them.

Secondary research relies on information that has been collected by others.

Secondary sources include- Statistics Market reports Websites Trade publications Newspapers books

Designers can gain inspiration from many different places

Art Graphics and photographs Materials and fabrics Exhibitions, fairs and shows Cinema Travel Architecture, furniture and interior design Nature

Analyse The function Style Key design features Construction

methods Fibres Environmental

issues

Assess The ergonomics of

the product The size Component parts Method of

manufacture cost

Identify Colour application Embellishments Trimmings Care label Finishes BSI standards Fabric construction sizes

In industry designers spend relatively little time on research in comparison to developing ideas.

They will find out what consumers think of new designs before manufacture using surveys and focused groups.

Designers monitor high street fashion trends called intelligence gathering .

Following any research exercises you need to analyse and evaluate the information gathered to establish

If there is a clear trend in the data How it will impact on the design Research findings can be displayed using ICT such as tables, pie charts, star profiles,

line graphs, Mood boards