Why analyse products?
Designers rarely start from nothing. By studying existing products they learn what works, what fails and what users want. This is called product analysis. It also helps you judge your own prototype fairly at the end of a project.
You can analyse a single object (a lamp), or a system: a set of parts working together, such as a bicycle's gears or a vending machine's input → process → output.
ACCESS FM: questions to ask
- Aesthetics: shape, colour, texture, style. Does it look good to its users?
- Cost: selling price, cost of materials and making.
- Customer: who is the target user? Age, needs, lifestyle.
- Environment: materials, energy use, recyclability, how long it lasts.
- Safety: sharp edges, heat, electric shock, safety standards.
- Size: dimensions in mm; does it fit where it will be used?
- Function: what it does and how well.
- Materials (and manufacture): what each part is made of, and how it was made.
Disassembly, materials and manufacture
Disassembly means taking a product apart carefully (with an adult for anything electrical) and listing each part. For every part, note:
- the material and why it was chosen (e.g. a heavy cast-iron base keeps the lamp stable; aluminium is light and does not rust);
- the joining method (screws, snap-fits, glue, welding);
- the likely process (injection moulding for plastic shades, casting for the base, extrusion for the arm tube);
- the likely scale of production (one-off, batch or mass).
Ergonomics, testing and user feedback
Ergonomics is about fitting a product to the human body. Designers use anthropometric data (body measurements of many people) so a handle fits most hands and a switch is within easy reach. Test the product in use: time tasks, measure (mm, kg, seconds), and ask real users. A short survey or interview often finds problems the designer missed.
Evaluating fairly
A good evaluation is critical: it gives strengths and weaknesses with evidence.
- Write clear criteria from the specification (function, ergonomics, aesthetics, cost, environment, safety).
- Score each criterion, for example out of 5, using test results and user opinions.
- Find the weakest criterion and suggest a specific improvement (e.g. 'replace the plastic shade with recycled aluminium').
- Compare with rival products to see if your conclusion holds.
Key formulas and definitions
- ACCESS FM = Aesthetics, Cost, Customer, Environment, Safety, Size, Function, Materials
- Key term: disassembly = taking a product apart to study its parts
- Key term: ergonomics = designing to fit the human body
- Key term: anthropometrics = measurements of people's bodies used in design
- Evaluation total = sum of criterion scores (e.g. 5 criteria × 5 marks = 25)
Worked examples
1. A water bottle has a plastic body, a steel cap and a rubber seal. Analyse its materials with one reason each.
Plastic body: light and cheap to mould into shape. Steel cap: strong, does not crack when dropped. Rubber seal: flexible, so it squeezes to stop leaks.
2. A lamp scores Function 4, Ergonomics 3, Aesthetics 4, Cost 3, Environment 2. Find the total and the improvement to suggest.
Total = 4 + 3 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 16 out of 25. Environment is weakest, so suggest a recyclable metal shade and a replaceable LED.
3. Analyse a vending machine as a system.
Input: coins, card or UPI payment and a button press. Process: the controller checks payment and selects the item. Output: the item drops and change is given. Feedback: a display shows credit and errors.
Common mistakes
- Only describing the product. Analysis must say why each feature or material was chosen.
- Giving opinions without evidence. Use measurements, tests and user feedback.
- Listing only strengths. A critical evaluation always includes weaknesses and improvements.
- Forgetting the user. A product is judged by how well it meets its target customer's needs, not yours.