The student as designer and the design folio
The following information addresses the designer and client/end-user
relationship and outlines what is expected of the student as a designer in Unit
3–4 Design and Technology.
The role of the designer
 identifies the problem or need of a client or specified end-user
 defines the aims and requirements for a proposed product in a written
design brief
 researches aspects related to the selected product, for example, style,
current trends, similar products, appropriate materials and construction
techniques
 acknowledges sources of inspiration, ideas and information
 combines the researched information with their own design skills and
creativity to create a range of design ideas and design options,
evaluation criteria are developed and used as a guide when designing
 presents the range of design options to the client or an end-user for
discussion and feedback ensuring that it addresses the specifications of
the brief
 makes adjustments and modifications during design and product
development
 produces the preferred design option or combination of options that is
selected
 consults with the client or an end-user as issues arise, for example, if
further information or garment fittings are required
Designers work in a variety of situations. They may be working in response to
commissions, directives from company management or when a niche in the
market is identified. The designer may work within a team or partnership. The
work may be a one-off piece, on pieces that will be mass produced or on a
particular aspect or component of a large product such as a car, aeroplane or
building.
Market research – establishing problems, needs and requirements
Regardless of the situation surrounding a designer’s work, a product must
always meet the need of an end-user. When designing for an end-user, it’s
important that a designer has knowledge about the problem at hand. To do
this a designer can pay for market research, look at published statistics or
conduct their own ‘market research’.
The following paragraph was taken from the British Design website at:
http://www.britishdesign.co.uk and it outlines the type of market research of
end-users that is undertaken by Whirlpool when designing new washing
machines and refrigerators.
‘They put design prototypes in front of customer focus groups and then
take detailed measurements of their preferences about aesthetics,
craftsmanship, technical performance, ergonomics, and usability.
Whirlpool charts the results against both competing products and its
own previous models, giving it a baseline of objective evidence from
which to make investment decisions.’
Consider the situation below:
A designer has noticed that problems occur when draining pasta, rice and
vegetables. He/she has
observed boiling water splashing around, pasta slipping off the edge, hot
handles and lots of steam creating a hazard for the user. The designer also
considers most colanders on the market to be unattractive items.
In order to design a better colander the designer could:
 observe family members and friends using a variety of colanders ask
them what they like and dislike about each one
 use the different colanders themselves and feel how they work
 take note of the different materials used and research the material
properties
 research, by looking at even more varieties of colanders available in
shops, to see what they are made of, their quality, their appearance and
their price
 look at other kitchen devices that may have similar uses such as lemon
juicers and take note what they are made of
 look at colanders from the past to see if there are some basic shapes,
placement of holes or
 measurements that could help with the draining
 research new materials being used in the manufacture of other kitchen
devices and implements
 compile a list of what is needed from the materials, e.g. rustproof,
dishwasher safe, resistance to hot water, sturdiness, ease of cleaning,
lightweight etc.
 compile a list of what is needed from the design, e.g. needs to fit into
sink, needs to have good draining
 capabilities, singular handle or handles on both sides, needs to rest on
the top of a pot etc.
 ask family members and friends about the aesthetic appearance of a
range of colanders and their preferences
There are many more activities a designer could undertake to become fully
emerged in designing an improved colander.
The role of the client
Clients can be individuals or a board of managers of a company. For example,
Alessi is an Italian ‘design factory’ that commissions many talented designers
to develop new products based on the company philosophy, which is: style,
quality workmanship and perfect finish. In this case Alessi are the client – not
the end-user as they are commissioning the designers.
The client would be expected to:
 clearly explain their needs and requirements (e.g. any background
information, the product’s
 function, aesthetics, quality, time, costs, etc.)
 discuss design options presented to them
 help make decisions about the preferred option
 possibly assist in selecting components or fastenings
 understand that changes may be costly
 provide feedback on the finished product – whether it meets the
requirements specified earlier in the process
End-user
End-user means the person or group of people who uses the product. The enduser is not always the client, e.g. the client needs a dog-kennel, or the client
wants baby clothes. In the case of Alessi products (above), the end-user is a
consumer of Alessi products – a person who admires style, quality and finish,
who desires ‘designer products’ and who is prepared to pay for them.
In situations where there is no client, the designer or company will need to
know about a need amongst a particular group of end-users, most often
known as a ‘target group’.
Target groups could include:
 male teenage skateboard riders around the inner city
 female twenty-something’s who carry lots of bits and pieces to and from
work
 carpenters or builders working on small apartments
 gardeners working on small backyard gardens without vehicle access
Groups can also be defined by a common activity or problem:
 those involved in preparation of a daily meal
 people who need to kneel a lot in their daily work
 people exposed to the sun on a regular basis
 participants in certain sports
 music lovers
 people who travel frequently
The role of an end-user
An end-user may be able to:
 contribute to the discussion of the needs and requirements for the
potential product (e.g. any problems or perceived needs to be met
regarding the product’s function, aesthetics, quality, costs, etc.)
 have input into any discussion of design options that may be presented
to them
 have input into decisions about the preferred option
 possibly have input into selecting components or fastenings
 provide feedback on the finished product