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You will have to be able to demonstrate you knowledge of design factors in relations to design process and the design of products.

Function

Within design the major influence is the function and this can be a single aspect or many different aspects.

• the influence of function on the design of products – what is the product's main purpose
• the primary and secondary functions of the design – does it do one thing or several?

Performance

You must be able to identify the different aspects of performance and how important its influence is on the design.

• the influence of performance on the design of products – how is it to be used
• maintenance issues associated with products – is it easy to repair
• the influence of a product's life expectancy on design, manufacture, and the environment
• fitness for purpose of products – would it meet a user's expectations
• safety issues associated with product

Market

You must be able to understand the importance of marketing on the design process.

• the influence of the target market on the design of products
• marketing techniques and the benefits of branding
• technology pushes – products created due to improvements in materials or manufacturing
• market pulls – products created to cater for strong market demand

Aesthetics

You must be able to recognise the different aspects of aesthetics and how much influence it has on the design of products – from the visual appeal to the target market, to the type of materials used in construction.

Ergonomics

You should be able to understand the influence and importance of ergonomics on product design.

• creating products that are safe to use
• designing products that are easy and comfortable to use
• using anthropometric data about the human body to design appropriate products

People who influence design

You must understand the role key people have on the design of products at the different stages of the process.

• designers – the originators and developers of product ideas
• manufacturers – the individuals and factories that make products
• marketing teams – devising branding and sales strategies
• retailers – who stock and sell products
• consumers – who will ultimately decide whether to buy the product