Inventors: 

Thomas Adams

CHEWING GUM

CHARLES BABBAGE:

COMPUTER

JOHN LOGIE-BAiRD-

TV

ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL

TELEPHONEE

Role of the designer in the product life cycle: 

although the designer is an integral part of the design process, he or she is not necessarily in control, unlike the design process.  the designer designs the product, the product is made after it goes through the design process and then it is put on the market, the certain characteristics sell the product and therefore affects the product life cycle.  

Product life cycle: 

1).  introduction

2).  growth

3).  maturity

4).  decline-product eventually becomes obsolete (out of date)

INTRODUCTION: 

with any new product/service it must be introduced to the market place with the right image and price.  requires investment, good infrastructure and good distribution :) 

e.g. calling online

GROWTH

once it has survived introduction, it has to grow to increase sales and profits.  

**good time to introduce complimentary products or service if its customer based product*

e.g. email

MATURITY

the profit revenue from the product is falling and price reductions are necessary in order to remain competitive.  it is likely that your customers base is as wide as it will go.  

e.g. fax

DECLINE

falling sales .  customers not interested in buying product.  market is changing.  

1).  could this product be re-launched?

2).  does the product need modifying? 

3). do you need a new product? 

4).  is it time to move on?

5).  do you need a new market?

6). does it need to be advertised better?

e.g. letter

EXTENSION STRATEGIES

in order to keep the product in the market and in order for customers not to loose interest and let the product go into decline.  

to "delay the decline stage of the product life cycle".  

compare the design cycle with the product cycle

the design cycle is used when you try to identify a problem and solve with a solution to an existing product.  whereas, the product cycle is the life of the product in the market (when it is first launched) and putting the solutions of the design cycle into "commercial practice".  

discuss why for many products the product life cycle has shortened.

1).  competitors-finding new innovative ideas

2).  change in taste

3).  product/service relies on new technology

4).  advertising

5).  distribution

6).  not what consumers want to buy more than once

7).  cheaper

8).  moved into decline

invention: 

something that has been made.  a process of discovering a principle.  manufacturing to produce a novel product.  

innovation: 

the process of putting an invention in the market place and making it a success.  

stages of innovation: 

1).  developing an idea into a viable product

2).  production

3).  marketing and sales

4).  re-design

5).  back to stage 1

1).  competition

2).  not enough sales and income

3).  not enough capital 

4).  newer generation of products

in what ways hav emobile phones been redesigned in order to improve their design? 

1).  screeen

2).  light

3).  flip for compact

4).  colour screen

5).  messaging

6).  smaller + larger buttons

7).  touch screen

8).  applications 

9).  no antenna

10).  internet access.

define dominant design: 

the design contains those implicit features of a product that are recognized as essential by a majority of manufacturers and purchasers. (USP)

dominant designs meet manufacturers and users' needs very well and dont need to be changed.  e.g….

1).  coca cola bottle

2).  pencil sharperner

3).  paper clip

define diffusion into the market place:

this is where the product becomes part of a global market 

or 

the wide acceptance and sale of a product

define market pull: 

the initial impetus (quick force) for the development of a new product is generated by a demand from the market.  

e.g. ipod -> itouch

define technology push: 

where the impetus (quick force) for a

new design originates from a

technological developement

describe a design context where dominant design is relevant

cutlery.  it has to be able to fulfill its purposes and it normally looks the same for all cutlery besides the material and colours used.  

explain the difficulties of getting a product to diffuse into the marketplace (product wanted and easily found):

1).  competition

2).  capital

3).  land

4).  labour

5).  entreprise

6).  brand loyalty

7).  quality

8).  goods reaching on time

9).  transportation

10).  materials

11).  connections with suppliers -important

12).  motivation within workforce

13).  trained stadd

14).  market share

15).  market value

16).  costs of advertising

17).  location

18).  distribution

global taste

products especially technology, advances rapidly with newer generations, customers may get bored of products, this is why technology enhances most of the time.  culture is a big part of taste.  what some countries may like, may not be in highest demand in other countries.  this is due to influences by media in area and cultural background and word of mouth.  

INNOVATION: 

Market pull process

1).  market need drives invention

2).  design and development

3).  manufacuturing

4).  marketing

5).  sales

INNOVATION: 

Technology push

1).  basic science drives invention

2).  design and development

3).  manufacturing

4).  marketing

5).  sales

 Explain how the walkman is an example of technology push

the skills and knowledge of making a walkman was applied to the invention, therefore it is an example of technology push.  

explain how the development of the airline seat is an example of market pull

customers travel long hours and therefore want comfort.  the need is therefore there.  an invention is made-comfortable chairs, safety and includes pillow and headset on chairs. these characteristics satisfy consumer wants and therefore it is an example of market pull -it is a market need that drives the invention.   

define lone inventor: 

an individual working outside or inside an organization who is committed to the invention of a novel product and often becomes isolated because he or she is engrossed with ideas that imply change ad are resisted by others.  

e.g. james dyson, obsessed with the development of their product and who is convinced of its market potential.  the product might be so advanced that it might not be accepted.  makes it hard for the lone inventor to work as a team.  

*not good at team work->inflexible

*they find it difficult to share ownership of product -> hard to communicate and discuss.  

*less efficient

Define Product champion

An influential individual, usually working within an organization, who develops an enthusiasm for a particular idea or invention and "champions" it within that organization.  

Product champion: able to work in an organization-good communicational skills and efficient.  focused on producing a well-marketed and sold product.  

Lone inventor: works alone and is inflexible and inefficient.  hard to share ideas and discuss.  focused on making their idea work.  

Explain why innovators may have difficulty in obtaining financial support for an invention:

1).  lack of capital

2).  costs of making prototype/research/designing

3).  unprofitable

4).  risks must be taken

TECHNOPHILE :) 

someone who welcomes new technology and change IMMEDIATELY :) 

Technocautious: 

technophobe: 

someone who resists technological change

First order effect:  

the feeling felt immediately

e.g. if you buy a car you feel independent, happy, personal gain, status improved.  

Second order effects: -mostly considered by people who have experienced this or those who are older.  

The effects more apparent but not immediate to you, the consumer.  

e.g. the costs of running the car, risk of accident, difficulties providing insurance.  

Define corporate strategy: 

Long term aims and objectives of a company and ways of achieving them by allocation of resources.  

1).  poineering

2).  imitative

3).  hybrid strategy

Corporate strategy

Pioneering: 

developing.  one who opens up new areas of thought, research or development

=> ahead of competitors by introducing a new product first.  

Although there is risk, there is potential for large gains.  

producing a pioneering product as quickly as possible

=> less risky

something having two kinds of components that produce similar/same results.  

=> combining two ideas/technologies

increase sales to existing customers or finding new customers for an existing product

what methods do Company A (manufacturing knives) use to achieve market penetration? 

product promotion through market strategies

define market development: 

finding new applications for existing products, thereby opening up new markets

find out about the market development of the plastic, nylon.  for what purpose was nylon origionally developed.  

it was first used for toothbrushes.  now it is used in other products.  e.g. build gears, bearings and other mechanical parts.  

define product development: 

creation of new ideas and development through an existing product.  e.g. adverts, shape, flavour etc.  

define diversification: 

involves a company both in a development of new product and in selling those products to new companies

e.g. coca cola

define market sector: 

the broad way of categorizing the kinds of market the company is aiming for.  

it can be segmented into groups of consumers with similar characteristics: 

1).  income

2).  sex

3).  age

4).  lifestyle

Define market segmentation: 

1).  income

2).  gender

3).  class

4).  lifestyle

5).  graphical location

6).  wants

Define robust design: 

flexible designs that can be adapted to changing technical and market requirements

define product family: 

a group of products having common classifications and criteria.  

discuss and example of a robust design that evolved into a product family.  

soft drink flavours.  it was just coca cola, then they expanded onto making fanta, spirit etc.  this became classified as a product family, similar characteristics.