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A range of research strategies are used by designers to gather relevant information to inform the design specification and consequently to shape the direction the design process takes, eg research into:

• the market (market research)
• the context
• other possible materials
• relevant sustainability issues

Market research

Market research revolves around gathering in-depth information about customer or user needs and preferences. This often involves:

• Looking at products that already exist and talking to clients to collect a wide range of information on what is successful and what needs developing to ensure a product is viable. Interviews and questionnaires can be used to gather information on shape, colour, materials and function of existing products and the answers analysed to improve the product.
• Conducting focus groups - Another valuable perspective can be found by talking to the product’s target market. Small groups can be interviewed, giving feedback before, during and after production, which can be used to improve the outcome.
• Collecting anthropometric data about the target market’s sizes to help improve designs by making the product easier or more comfortable (ergonomic) to use. Anthropometric data can be used to work out the dimensions and load stresses of a product.
• Researching into ergonomics - Testing and analysing how a person interacts with the product can improve its functionality and how it fits into its surroundings.

The context

All products are designed to a specification to ensure that it will function correctly within the appropriate context. When exploring the context of a product before designing, the following question are useful to consider:

• Where will the product be used?
• What conditions will it endure?
• How will it be maintained?

Other possible materials

Designers need to consider the context and the impact this will have on choosing suitable materials:

• What properties are required, eg water or corrosion resistant if the product will be used outside?
• Is there a less common property that can be achieved by using smart materials, eg thermochromic and glow-in-the-dark materials?
• What are the different parts and their purpose, eg rubber for grips on handles or blackout linings?

Relevant sustainability issues

It is important for designers to minimise the impact their product will have on the environment, designers sometimes use the 6 Rs to shape their thinking:

1. Repair - Can the product be fixed instead of throwing it away into landfill? Repairing a washing machine can cost a lot less than buying a new one.
2. Reuse - Can the product be passed on or its life extended by using it repeatedly? Reusable carrier bags from the supermarket are a good example.
3. Recycle - Can materials such as metal, plastic and glass be collected and converted? Plastic bottles can be shredded into pellets to make new plastic bottles.
4. Rethink - Can the design be remade using a different material? Using a quick-growing, renewable material such as cotton or bamboo would be better than a non-renewable plastic-based fabric such as polyester.
5. Reduce - Are there products that last longer or can be recharged? Can the miles the product has to travel be cut? Or could rechargeable batteries or locally-sourced products be used?
6. Refuse - Thinking twice before buying a product with wasteful packaging or a large carbon footprint.