IB Design and Technology Evaluation

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IB Design and TechnologyEvaluation

• Evaluation and the consumer

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Some initial definitions

• Cost effectiveness is
• The most efficient way of designing and producing
  a product from the manufacturers point of view
• Value for money is
• A concept that takes account of the relation
  between what something (a product) is worth and
  the cash amount spent on it.

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Comparison of price and value

• If the price is too high there may not be enough
  potential purchasers.
• If the price is too high purchasers who can
  afford the product may be a select few.
• Consumer may not think the product is value for
  money if the price is too high.

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Comparison of price and value

• If the price is too low consumers may think the
  product is too cheap to have much value.
• Demand for products will establish the maximum
  price.
• The costs of production will determine the
  minimum price.
• A company may choose to set its price in
  accordance with the perceived value of a product
  or in relation to competitors.

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The price and value of your evening meal!!

• Ingredients 30
• labour 5
• packaging 5
• factory and distribution 20
• marketing and advertising10
• Retailers cost and profit 30
• Total100

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Consumer Criteria for Evaluation

• Consumers apply criteria for evaluation to
  determine value for money. This occurs
• Before Purchase advertising, manufacturers
  specification, list price, product image,
  evaluation by experts and consumer groups.

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Purchase

• Aesthetics
• Performance
• Build quality
• Purchase price

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Initial use

• Actual performance
• Safety
• Ease of use

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Long term use

• Reliability
• Ease of maintenance
• Durability
• Running costs.
• How often have you bought a new gadget based
  purely on its aesthetic appearance.

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Evaluation based on Initial use

• New Sony Eriksson walkman phone (W800i) Purchase
  based on evaluation of aesthetics. The evaluation
  after initial use is the buttons are too small
  and the batteries dies.

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Evaluation of long term use I pod mini

• Size compact
• Colourful aesthetics
• Reliability battery lasts a long time compared
  to mobile phone.
• Durability Lasts approximately 1 year, battery
  then becomes unreliable.
• Ease of maintenance Simple to maintain and use,
  just simply re-charge and you can charge while
  listening to music.
• Running costs low, you can recharge in the
  mains electrical supply or through your computer.

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Value Judgements

• This plays a part in product analysis, and can
  vary according to
• The individual
• The time (era)
• Circumstances

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Value judgements - Consumers

• The judgements the consumer makes will differ
  from those made by the designer. Consumers often
  value
• Utility
• Security
• Reliability
• Rarity
• Aesthetics

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Value judgements - Designer

• Function
• Reliability
• Ease of maintenance

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Quality Assurance

• Means that the consumer does not have to carry
  out their own research into the quality of the
  product and components. They have a means of
  re-dressing if a product fails to meet an
  expected standard for example, via a guarantee.

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Consumer Associations

• These are independent organisations which carry
  out tests on products to see if manufacturers
  claims are justified, and provide published data
  for consumers. They compare similar products
  within a target market and recommend the best
  value-for-money products.
• www.which.co.uk

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www.which.co.uk

• Using the website research the consumer
  associations evaluation of digital cameras.
• Look at the criteria used for evaluation How we
  test.
• Look at the comparison of products.
• Which digital cameras are the top 3.

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Educating the consumer.

• Discuss the contribution of lifestyle programmes,
  the weekend sections of newspapers and consumer
  journals and design education in schools when
  educating the consumer about new products.
• Are they biased
• Do they give a fair evaluation
• Do they target a specific audience.