Kitchen Product Analysis

Start with product problems

Begin with the mind map on problems with the Alessi juicer. It considers unstable legs, difficulty holding the product, and the lack of a container or a way to catch pips. Use these points to practice connecting a design feature with a possible problem in use.

Then look at the map about a different squeezer. It describes a similar method of drawing juice from a lemon, but includes a container. Comparing the maps can help you identify what changes between the designs.

Explore features and materials

The smoothie maker maps organize information around features such as capacity, power source, materials, size and target market. You can use these headings to structure your own notes as you read. Look for the materials named in the maps, including plastic, glass and metal, and consider how the features are grouped.

The coffee mug map takes another approach, asking where the product will be used and what environmental conditions it may face. The "Thermos Flask" map raises questions about cleaning, weight and knowing the temperature of the fluid inside.

Connect ideas across the unit

Kitchen Product Analysis is a section of Product Analysis and Evaluation in Design and technology. The maps offer examples you can use while studying that unit: compare how they describe features, conditions of use and drawbacks. The "Corkscrew" map, for example, considers shape, size and color, while the juicer map focuses on problems.

Study with the maps

There are no quizzes listed on this topic page, so use the maps to make your own questions. Cover a branch, try to recall its points, then check them against the map. You could also compare the headings used for different products.

Choose a map and use its branches to organize your next study session.