Specification

How long have I got for this section? Due in on 26/9/06
How many marks is this bit worth? 4
How many pages should it occupy? 2

All your analysis of research and information should lead you to a detailed design specification. This will outline how the product is expected to function and will ensure that you do not make a product that is does not meet your requirements. Present the work as a series of bullet points under the following suggested headings:

* Timescale of Production (40 hours to complete all coursework, 20-30 hours making)
* Function of Product (what exactly do you expect it to do?)
* Performance of Product (To what extent or how well do you expect it to do it?)
* Aesthetics/Appearance (does it need to blend in with the surroundings, is it bold and futuristic, is it calm and discreet?)
* Materials (what material properties do you require ie. 'it must be made from a material that can withstand light impacts, is non-toxic and is resistant to moisture')
* Manufacture/Quantity – essential to include for top marks - ('I will be making a prototype but my design should be capable of being produced in batches of 50')
* Cost (what is the maximum people are prepared to pay, what is the average, what sort of prices are similar existing products sold for?)
* Size (what is the smallest it can be, what is the largest and what is the average size of similar existing products?)
* Target Market (who is this product designed for?)
* Ergonomics (which parts of this product need to be designed with ease of use in mind?)
* Life in Service (is this going to be a fashion thing that gets used and then discarded or is it something that will give its user years of happiness?)
* Weight (what is the lightest it can be, what is the heaviest and what is the average weight of similar existing products?)
* Safety (are there any health and safety issues to consider? Is it for use by small children, will it be close to sources of heat or electricity?)
* Environmental Issues (Will this product use up precious resources during manufacture and/or use? Can it be safely disposed or recycled at the end of its life?)
* Quality (Is this a premium product for which people will pay a lot of money and expect a very high quality or is it a flat-pack product that has been made to be as inexpensive as possible?)
* Maintenance (do you need to consider how this product might need to be cleaned or are there moving parts that might require servicing or bulbs that need replacing?)