Product Design Terminology

Constraint

• Something that might limit aspects of your design
• A model that is proportional in size to the final outcome.
• Information about the measurements and properties of the human body.
• The measurements of the size of an object, usually shown in mm.

Research

• A semi-controlled test by intended users of a prototype or finished product.
• The process of gathering new information about something
• The ways in which human users interact with products or systems.
• A diagram showing a sequence of operations in a process or workflow.

Specification

• An analysis of each part of the product's life and journey, from creation to the end of the product's life.
• Evaluation that is carried out continuously during the development of a product.
• A list of key points describing the construction, materials and appearance etc. that your design must have.
• The job that a product is designed to do.

Anthropometrics data

• Information in the form of opinions.
• Information that can be easily expressed and analysed in a numerical form.
• A model that is the same size of the intended outcome
• Information about the measurements and properties of the human body.

Brainstorming

• The process of pulling apart an idea, theme or problem in order to analyse it, discuss it and to generate new ideas.
• The study of the way products can be designed so that they produce the best experience for users.
• Research based on other people's work.
• The taking apart of a product in order to look arefully at how it is made, the materials used and processes involved in manufacture.

Finish

• The physical shape and appearance of something.
• A substanc that is used to produce the protective layer or texture colour for the surface of a product to make it last and look good.
• The job that a product is designed to do.
• A function that a product has in addition to its main (primary) function.

Primary Research

• Information in the form of opinions.
• Information that can be easily expressed and analysed in a numerical form.
• New research that you carried out yourself.
• Detailed and controlled testing carried out in laboratory conditions.

Qualitative data

• Information that can be easily expressed and analysed in a numerical form.
• Research based on other people's work.
• A list of key points describing the construction, materials and appearance etc. that your design must have.
• Information in the form of opinions.

Secondary Research

• Information that can be easily expressed and analysed in a numerical form.
• Research based on other people's work.
• Information in the form of opinions.
• An analysis of each part of the product's life and journey, from creation to the end of the product's life.

Surveys

• Research based on other people's work.
• Information in the form of opinions.
• A set of questions asked to the public or to user groups in order to gather specific information to help develop products and services.
• Information that can be easily expressed and analysed in a numerical form.