ACCESSFM

ACCESSFM

1. AESTHETICS

   • What does the product look like? (shape, form, materials, size…)
   • What is the colour, texture, pattern and decoration of the product?
   • Does the product look attractive? Why does it look attractive or ugly?
   • Does it have a quality finish?
   • Where did the designer get his or her inspiration for the design?

2. COST

   • What is the estimated cost of production?
   • Is the product affordable?
   • What is the retail cost? Why does it cost this much?
   • Does it seem good value for money?
   • Does the price reflect any social or moral considerations (e.g. Fair Trade)?

3. CLIENT

   • Who is the product designed for?
   • How and where would they use it?
   • What impact does it have on the customer’s quality of life?
   • How is the product promoted to attract its customer?

4. ENVIRONMENT

   • What is the product’s impact on the environment? THINK: The 6 R’s (rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, repair)
   • Think about a products 'Life Cycle': How is it powered? How is it manufactured? Does it harm the environment when used? How is it distributed? How is it disposed of?

5. SIZE

   • What size is it? THINK in millimetres and any thing else that can be measured e.g. volts, weight, area, volume, density etc.
   • Is the product comfortable to use? THINK anthropometrics or ergonomics.
   • Are its proportions appropriate for its use?
   • If you increased or decreased the product’s scale, would it work or look better?

6. SAFETY

   • How has the designer considered safety issues when designing the product?
   • THINK about the way the product is used and how different parts have been joined together.
   • Does the product meet recognised safety standards?
   • Are there any risks to using or manufacturing the product?

7. FUNCTION

   • What is the function and purpose of the product?
   • Why does it work this way?
   • How well does it work?
   • Could it be improved?
   • How could it be improved?
   • How easy is it to use?

8. MATERIAL & MANUFACTURE

   • What materials and components have been used to make the product?
   • Why were these materials and components used?
   • How has the scale of production affected the designer’s choice of material and manufacturing processes?
   • What impact could the designer’s choice of material have on the environment?
   • Would another type of material work better?