Download IB Design and Technology Evaluation

IB Design and Technology
Evaluation
Evaluation and the consumer
Some initial definitions
Cost effectiveness is:
 The most efficient way of designing and
producing a product from the manufacturer’s
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.
Comparison of price and value
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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.
Comparison of price and value
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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.
The price and value of your
evening meal!!
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Ingredients 30%
labour 5%
packaging 5%
factory and distribution 20%
marketing and advertising10%
Retailers cost and profit 30%
Total100%
Consumer Criteria for
Evaluation
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Consumers apply criteria for evaluation to
determine value for money. This occurs:
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Before Purchase – advertising,
manufacturers specification, list price,
product image, evaluation by experts and
consumer groups.
Purchase
 Aesthetics
 Performance
 Build
quality
 Purchase price
Initial use
 Actual
performance
 Safety
 Ease
of use
Long term use
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Reliability
Ease of maintenance
Durability
Running costs.
How often have you bought a new gadget
based purely on its aesthetic appearance.
Evaluation based on Initial use
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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.
Evaluation of long term use – I
pod mini
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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.
Value Judgements
This plays a part in product analysis, and can
vary according to:
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The individual
The time (era)
Circumstances
Value judgements Consumers
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The judgements the consumer makes will
differ from those made by the designer.
Consumers often value:
Utility
Security
Reliability
Rarity
Aesthetics
Value judgements - Designer
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Function
Reliability
Ease of maintenance
Quality Assurance
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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.
Consumer Associations
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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-formoney products.
www.which.co.uk
www.which.co.uk
Using the website research the consumer
associations evaluation of digital camera’s.
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Look at the criteria used for evaluation – How
we test.
Look at the comparison of products.
Which digital camera’s are the top 3.
Educating the consumer.
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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.
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Are they biased
Do they give a fair evaluation
Do they target a specific audience.
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