Why and how designers analyse products
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse a product to identify successful features and those which can be improved.
Key learning points
- All design and technological practice takes place within contexts which inform outcomes.
- Designers can use strategies to help them perform analysis.
- Designers analyse products to identify successful features and those which can be improved.
Keywords
Context - the situation within which something exists or happens
Analysis - examining something in detail
Function - the purpose of the product
Form - a particular shape, linked to aesthetics
Common misconception
Possible outcome design fixation limits context exploration. Product analysis leads to copying.
Product analysis identifies successful features and those which can be improved.
Teacher tip
Provide products or photographs for students to analyse. Referring to independent NEA work in the future and product analysis of relevant products is a useful strategy.
Equipment
A selection of products to analyse. The example in this lesson is a can opener.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these are aesthetic considerations?
Q2.There are two forms of research that designers can conduct: primary and ...
Q3.What information could designers gather from research before designing begins?
Q4.Life cycle assessment is a way to assess the __________ of a product.
Q5.The form and function of a product need to be considered when designing. Match the word to the definition.
a particular shape, linked to aesthetics
the purpose of the product
Q6.When designing products or services, we often begin by thinking about person, place and purpose. Match the words to the definition.
user
location
function
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.All design and technological practice takes place within that inform outcomes.
Q2.Product analysis is an example of ...
Q3.What is primary research?
Q4.When analysing products, we use subheadings. Which is the subheading that considers the shape of a product?
Q5.When analysing a product, how do designers focus their thoughts?
Q6.Which of the following should we include when writing a summary?
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Why and how designers analyse products, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Why and how designers analyse products, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the Product analysis: encouraging healthy lifestyles unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.