Product Design Strategies

• Design brief


  A document outlining how the product will be produced in order to receive the desired results. It also outlines how technology and resources will be combined to produce the product.
• Design brief


  • Gives everyone a clear sense of direction even before the production of the product commences
• Elements of a design brief

  • Problem statement or desired need to be fulfilled
  • Function of the production
  • Required resources
  • Technological need
  • Current industry trends
  • Level of competition
  • Project's budget
  • Expected timeline for completion
• Modularisation


  The process whereby a product is divided into subsets known as modules, which are used to assemble the finished product
• Modules


  • Have their own distinctive functions and contribute to the performance and features of the final products that they are used to manufacture
• Miniaturisation


  The development of very small products that have the same function and use as the larger products they replaced
• Integration


  The practice of ensuring that all the departments involved with the product play a critical role in both its design and production
• In past times, the functional departments would essentially work separately on the product
• Today, teamwork is encouraged so that marketer, designers and the production team work together to produce the best possible product
• Product integration


  The assembly of a product from different component parts that work together as the final product
• Value analysis


  A systematic attempt to minimize costs and /or improve performance of a product either purchased or produced by the firm
• Computer-aided design (CAD)


  The use of computer systems to create, modify and analyse a product's design
• Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)


  Uses computer software and hardware to convert CAD data and models into instructions to be used in the manufacture of the product