The Design Team

• main influencers in the design of products are the:

  • designer
  • market researcher
  • accountant
  • engineer
  • manufacturer
  • lawyer
  • materials technologist
  • production specialist
  • marketing team
  • ergonomist
  • consumer
  • retailer
  • economist
  • sub-contractor
• The designer provides the initial inspiration and creative output for the product and in more recent times manages the product development
• market researchers conduct market research and provides feedback to the designer on the needs and wants of the consumer. They provide feedback to the other team members on consumer views such as:

  • pricing
  • trends
  • projected sales numbers
• An accountant monitors costs during all stages of the design process. They may set caps on spending to ensure the product can be produced and marketed at a cost the consumer is willing to pay
• The engineer tests the various aspects of the products functions. Various types of engineers such as structural, electrical, chemical software all play a part in ensuring the product works safely and correctly.
• The manufacturer ensures the product can be manufactured provides information on how a product can be best manufactured and offers advice to the team as to how a product may need to be altered to allow it to be manufactures correctly and efficiently.
• A lawyer ensures all legal aspects of design, production, marketing, retail comply with the legislation of the country of sale. They help make sure the intellectual property is protected and it does not infringe on other IPR
• An economist monitors market trends and predicts how strong the economy will be by the time the product reaches the marketplace. They work closely with the accountant to make sure the produce will be economically viable.
• A sub-contractor provides experience and services in a range of different fields
• Sub-contractor work closely with materials technologists, production specialists, engineers and accountants to ensure the product is manufactured as efficiently as possible.
• A consumer provides feedback (through market research) to the designers, marketing team and ergonomists on all aspects of the product.
• The retailer provides feedback on sales rates, what is likely to sell or not. Experienced retailers can give insight into how successful a product is likely to be.
• A materials technologist provides information on all aspects of materials from properties to manufacturing methods that can be used.
• A materials technologist works closley with the designer, product specialist and manufacturers to ensure the product will perform well
• Production Specialist provides information on all aspects of production, from the rate and volume, to the best production system.
• The production specialist works closely with the designer, materials specialist and manufacturers to ensure the product will perform well/ can be manufactured
• The marketing team develops the marketing strategies that are used to promote the product. The suer information provided by the market researchers to publicise the product and often focus on Price, Promotion and Product.
• ergonomist provides information on all aspects of ergonomics:

  • anthropometrics
  • physiology
  • psychology
• Ergonomist use information on gender and age provided by market researchers to make sure data provided is specific to the intended target market