Investigating design contexts · GCSE Design and Technology

Primary and secondary research

Primary research is collected first-hand: interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, observing users, visiting shops and analysing existing products.
Secondary research uses information others have collected: books, websites, magazines and published data.
Research helps designers understand the problem, the users and existing solutions.

Ergonomics is designing products to be comfortable, safe and efficient to use, such as the grip of a tool.
Anthropometrics is the study of human body measurements. Designers usually design for the 5th to the 95th percentile, which covers 90% of people.
Example: a door handle height should suit people from the 5th to the 95th percentile of standing elbow height.

Product analysis looks at existing products: function, materials, manufacture, cost, aesthetics and sustainability. ACCESS FM (aesthetics, cost, customer, environment, safety, size, function, materials) is a useful checklist.
A design brief is a short statement of the problem, the user and what the product must do.
A design specification is a list of measurable requirements the final product must meet, such as "must be under 300 mm long".
Designers also consider environmental, social and economic challenges, such as designing for a circular economy or for people on low incomes.

Primary research: Information collected first-hand, such as interviews.
Secondary research: Information collected by others, such as books and websites.
Ergonomics: Designing products to be comfortable, safe and efficient to use.
Anthropometrics: The study of human body measurements.
Percentile: The percentage of people at or below a measurement.
Design brief: A short statement of the design problem and the user's needs.
Design specification: A list of measurable requirements a product must meet.
Product analysis: Examining an existing product to learn from it.