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First and foremost, your developments should be about making your product more useable (efficient, effective and satisfactory). The big question though, is what will make it these things?
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Here is a long list of things to consider:
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Suitable materials​
Methods of manufacture​
Sizes
Ergonomics​
Anthropometrics ​
Commercial viability and potential
​The marketing features of your designs
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Design optimisation
Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA)
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User-centred design
​Inclusive/ exclusive design
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User needs/ wants​
DFMA​
Components​
Electronic aspects​
Mechanical aspects​
Programmed aspects​
Materials​
Composition/ assembly​
Function success (tested)​
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Generative design​
Biomimicry
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SWOT​
User feedback​
Your master requirements
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Manufacturing requirements/ options
Materials requirements/ options
Assembly requirements/ options
Component requirements/ options
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Questions, Questions, Questions - what are you thinking?
Function​
Aesthetics (research designer) / Affordance​
Cost​
Availability​
Environmental Considerations​
Material and component selection​
Ergonomic considerations​
Mathematic application​
User needs and wants​
Social, moral, ethical and cultural considerations​
Manufacturing methods/ techniques​
Scale of production​
LCA​
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USP
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Innovative​
Makes a product useful​
Aesthetic​
Understandable​
Unobtrusive​
Honest​
Long lasting​
Thorough (in every detail)​
Environmentally friendly​
Minimal (the required level)​
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Function​​
Aesthetics​​
Cost
​​Availability​​
Environmental Considerations​​
Material and component selection​​
Ergonomic considerations​​
Mathematic application​​
User needs and wants​​
Social, moral, ethical and cultural ​
Manufacturing methods/ techniques​​
Scale of production​​
LCA​​
Health & Safety​
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Context​
User/ target market​
Materials​
Components​
Construction method​
Functionality and performance​
Ease of use​
Ergonomics and anthropometrics​
Other human factors (lifestyle impact)​
Inclusivity​
Fitness for purpose​
Lifestyle impact​
Trends/ styles​
Marketing and branding​
Getting a product to market
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Who
What
When
Where
Why
HOW - HOW - HOW
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Ease of use​
Performance and function​
Material suitability​
Material selection​
Construction/ manufacture suitability​
Product impact​
Value for money​
Fitness for purpose​
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Changing consumer requirements​
Throw away society​
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Biomimicry​
Failure​
Other experts
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Innovative​
Feasible​
Sufficiently funded​
Well researched​
Ethical​
Sustainable​
Functional​
Ergonomic​
Usable​
Well constructed​
Appropriately manufactured​
Made from suitable materials​
Inclusive​
Tested​
Safe (meets ISO/CE/BSI)
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Product Lifecycle
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Life Cycle Assessment
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Energy use
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Single or multi material product or component
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