Finding a project and the Brief

Finding a suitable project.

You should show how you have looked at various opportunities. A web diagram analysing the brief is a good way to do this.

Brief.

The brief is a statement of the problem you are trying to solve.

The General brief for the Product Design will be:

“Design and make a product that uses light as some function of its design. Your product will be a working prototype of a design that is suitable for large scale production”

Your product will:

· Be safe to use

· Use a low voltage illumination system (12 volts or less)

· Be a working prototype

Analysing the brief.

This is best done with a web diagram:

a) You need to start to think about what the brief is asking

b) What sort of project might solve it.

c) Who the end user might be.

d) What materials might be used

e) What mechanisms might be used

f) What style is involved

g) What construction techniques you might use

h) What functions are required

i) Where the product will be used

j) Who might use the product

k) What sort of finish is required

These thoughts will help you decide what you need to research in order to make your design.

Once you have got to this stage you will have decided in general what you want to make. You should now write a brief for your product explaining what the problem it, what the product must do and who the end user will be.

Example:

To design a decorative lamp suitable for a modern teenagers bed room. This lamp will be themed to a teenage marked and will be aimed at 14 to 18 year old clients. My product will also meet the requirements of the general Brief.