Sheet 6: Focussed Design Brief; Specification (based on ACCESS FM criteria) with a hierarchy
A more focussed version of your Design Brief is now needed. This should include brief details about the specific problem being solved and the specific target market for the product. This is best in the top left (in a shaded text box).
The Specification is a checklist of points which need to be closely followed throughout the rest of the design process. You will also use this to list to evaluate how effective your product is after you have tested the final product.
Each point in the Specification MUST be based in research, investigation and analysis carried out earlier in the project.
The main points can be remembered by referring to ACCESS FM. This stands for:
Each point needs specific explanation on your design sheet (and should therefore be a separate text box).
Aesthetics: Comment on the way the product should look. This could include comments on:
Customer: Comment on the person who will use the product. This could include comments on:
Cost: Comment on how much you expect the customer will be willing to pay for the product. Evidence to back up this could be:
Environment: Comment on how you need to consider the effect of the manufacture of your design on the environment. Your product may sell in thousands or even millions. You can refer to the options of using:
Size: Comment on what will affect the maximum and minimum size of the product. This could include comments on:
Safety: Comment on specific safety requirements, such as:
Function: Explain the product’s primary (most important) function in detail (i.e. what does it need to do). Also comment on secondary (extra) functions needed.
Materials: You cannot specify exactly what materials are to be used (as this is a design decision for later). However, you can comment on the properties needed (as this will influence the material considered). For example, you could comment on:
You should use icons (symbols) to represent each of the points in your specification. For example, a pound sign or pile of coins to represent cost; or a First Aid symbol to represent safety.
A more focussed version of your Design Brief is now needed. This should include brief details about the specific problem being solved and the specific target market for the product. This is best in the top left (in a shaded text box).
The Specification is a checklist of points which need to be closely followed throughout the rest of the design process. You will also use this to list to evaluate how effective your product is after you have tested the final product.
Each point in the Specification MUST be based in research, investigation and analysis carried out earlier in the project.
The main points can be remembered by referring to ACCESS FM. This stands for:
- A Aesthetics
- C Customer
- C Cost
- E Environment
- S Size
- S Safety
- F Function
- M Materials
Each point needs specific explanation on your design sheet (and should therefore be a separate text box).
Aesthetics: Comment on the way the product should look. This could include comments on:
- Colour (e.g. bright, neutral, natural, modern, decorative)
- Texture (e.g. rough, smooth, dull, shiny)
Customer: Comment on the person who will use the product. This could include comments on:
- Age range (lower and upper limits)
- Gender (i.e. male or female or both)
- Health (i.e. do they suffer from a specific condition; if so, the stage of the condition)
- Physical characteristics
- Personal interests
- Occupation
- Income level
Cost: Comment on how much you expect the customer will be willing to pay for the product. Evidence to back up this could be:
- Information from an interview question
- Information from a questionnaire
- The price of existing (competing) products
- *You could also comment on the need for profit. This means the product needs to be manufactured for significantly less than the price at which it is sold. Various people need a share of the profit (i.e. manufacturer, transportation business, warehouse, retailer).
Environment: Comment on how you need to consider the effect of the manufacture of your design on the environment. Your product may sell in thousands or even millions. You can refer to the options of using:
- Sustainable materials: these can be quite easily replaced (e.g. wood, cotton, paper, cardboard)
- Recyclable materials: these can be reshaped and reused (e.g. many metals and polymers). Remember, there is a cost to the environment when materials are recycled (because of the heat needed to melt materials).
Size: Comment on what will affect the maximum and minimum size of the product. This could include comments on:
- Where the product will be located
- Whether the product needs to be portable
- Where the product needs to be stored
- Whether the product needs to be adjustable
Safety: Comment on specific safety requirements, such as:
- If the product could be in an environment with children, comment on the need for non toxic materials and finishes (such as paints)
- Is electricity likely to be used? If so, comment on risk of electric shock and/or fire
- If components are likely to be joined with screws, nails or staples, comment on the need to avoid sharp points or edges
- If the product is to be handled frequently or placed in a pocket, comment on the need to avoid sharp features or corners
Function: Explain the product’s primary (most important) function in detail (i.e. what does it need to do). Also comment on secondary (extra) functions needed.
Materials: You cannot specify exactly what materials are to be used (as this is a design decision for later). However, you can comment on the properties needed (as this will influence the material considered). For example, you could comment on:
- Light weight
- Resistance to corrosion (from e.g. water, cleaning chemicals)
- Resistance to heat (i.e. without changing shape)
- Resistance to sunlight (which can cause damage with long exposure)
You should use icons (symbols) to represent each of the points in your specification. For example, a pound sign or pile of coins to represent cost; or a First Aid symbol to represent safety.
Example