How does taking an existing product apart, in analysis, reveal what makes it work and what could be improved?
Carry out product analysis of an existing product, examining function, materials, construction, ergonomics, aesthetics and cost, to inform a new design
A focused answer to the O-Level Design and Technology outcome on product analysis. Analysing an existing product by function, materials, construction, ergonomics, aesthetics and cost, and using the findings.
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What this dot point is asking
SEAB wants you to analyse an existing product systematically, examining its function, materials, construction, ergonomics, aesthetics and cost, and to use what you find to inform a new design. Product analysis is a key part of research because it shows how the problem has already been tackled: what works, what fails, and what it costs. The marks reward findings that lead to design decisions.
The answer
What product analysis is
Product analysis means studying an existing product closely, sometimes by taking it apart (disassembly), to understand how and why it is made the way it is. It is secondary research turned active: instead of only reading about a product, you examine it directly. The goal is to learn lessons that improve a new design: features to keep, faults to fix, methods and materials to consider.
The aspects to analyse
A thorough analysis covers several aspects, often remembered through a checklist:
- Function. What does it do, and how well? Does it meet its users' needs? Is anything missing?
- Materials. What is each part made from, and why? Are the materials suited to the job, durable, and appropriate?
- Construction. How are the parts shaped and joined? Which methods are used, and are they strong, cheap and reliable?
- Ergonomics. How comfortable, safe and easy is it to use? Does it fit the human well?
- Aesthetics. How does it look? Does the form, colour and finish appeal to its users and suit its purpose?
- Cost and value. What does it cost, and does it offer good value? Where could cost be saved?
A useful extra is sustainability: can it be repaired, recycled or disposed of responsibly?
Turning analysis into design decisions
Like all research, product analysis is only useful if it leads somewhere. Each finding should become a decision for the new design: keep this feature, improve that weakness, avoid this fragile joint, match this price. "The handle is uncomfortable after long use" leads to a requirement for a better grip; "the case cracks at the corners" leads to stronger corner construction. Analysis without a resulting decision is wasted effort.
Why it complements user research
User research tells you what people need; product analysis tells you what has already been built to meet that need and how well it succeeds. Together they give a realistic, grounded starting point: the new design can aim to match an existing product's strengths while fixing its weaknesses, which makes improvement measurable.
Examples in context
Example 1. Analysing a competitor's stapler. Disassembly shows a metal spring mechanism (durable) but a brittle plastic top that cracks (a weakness), and a base that grips the desk well (a strength to keep). The analysis directs the new design to retain the metal mechanism and grippy base while replacing the brittle top with a tougher material, an improvement justified by evidence rather than opinion.
Example 2. Analysing existing school chairs. Looking at function, ergonomics and construction across several chairs shows that stacking chairs save space (keep), thin metal legs bend under rough use (improve), and moulded seats are cheap and comfortable (keep). The new chair specification therefore aims for a stackable, comfortable seat on stronger legs, with cost kept near the existing price.
Try this
Cue. List four aspects you would analyse in an existing product. Answer: any four of function, materials, construction, ergonomics, aesthetics, cost (and sustainability).
Cue. Turn this finding into a design decision: "The current kettle's lid is hard to open with one hand." Answer: design a one-handed, push-button lid, or a larger lever lid, so it can be opened easily with one hand.
Cue. Explain why analysis must judge, not just describe. Answer: describing parts gives no guidance; judging whether each part works well, fails or could be improved is what turns analysis into useful design decisions.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SEAB exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Original6 marksA designer analyses an existing desk lamp before designing a new one. (a) State four different aspects the designer should analyse. (b) For two of them, explain what useful information the analysis would give.Show worked answer →
(a) Four aspects to analyse: function (what it does and how well), materials (what it is made from), construction (how the parts are joined and assembled), ergonomics (how comfortable and easy it is to use), aesthetics (how it looks), and cost. (Any four.)
(b) Function: analysing how the lamp directs light shows whether the beam is adjustable and bright enough, revealing a need the new design must meet or improve. Construction: examining how the joints and base are made shows which methods are strong and cheap, and which are weak points that fail, guiding better choices in the new design.
What markers reward: four genuinely different aspects (not four versions of "how it looks"), and explanations that connect the analysis to a design decision, such as a feature to keep, fix or improve.
Original4 marksExplain why analysing an existing product (rather than only the user) is a valuable part of research.Show worked answer →
Analysing an existing product shows how others have already solved part of the problem. It reveals which features work well and are worth keeping, which features fail or annoy users and should be improved, and the materials, construction methods and likely costs involved. This saves the designer from repeating known mistakes and gives a realistic starting point for the new design.
It also sets a benchmark: the new design can aim to match the strengths of the existing product while fixing its weaknesses, so improvement is measurable. Product analysis therefore complements user research, because it grounds the design in what is already possible and affordable.
What markers reward: the points that product analysis reveals features to keep and to improve, exposes materials, construction and cost, avoids repeating mistakes, and provides a benchmark for measurable improvement.
Related dot points
- Distinguish primary from secondary research, select appropriate methods such as interviews, observation, surveys and product study, and turn findings into design requirements
A focused answer to the O-Level Design and Technology outcome on research. Primary versus secondary methods, when to use interviews, observation and surveys, and how findings become requirements.
- Apply anthropometric data and ergonomic principles, including the use of percentiles, to size products so they fit and suit their intended users
A focused answer to the O-Level Design and Technology outcome on anthropometrics and ergonomics. Body measurement data, percentiles, designing for a range of users, and the difference between the two terms.
- Write a justified design specification from research findings, covering function, ergonomics, materials, safety, cost and aesthetics, with measurable points where possible
A focused answer to the O-Level Design and Technology outcome on specifications. Building justified, measurable specification points from research across function, ergonomics, materials, safety, cost and aesthetics.
- Evaluate a product or prototype systematically against each point of the design specification, reaching evidenced judgements and identifying improvements
A focused answer to the O-Level Design and Technology outcome on evaluation. Judging a product point by point against the specification, using evidence, and identifying improvements.
- Select appropriate materials for a product by balancing functional properties, aesthetics, cost, ease of manufacture and environmental impact, justifying each choice
A focused answer to the O-Level Design and Technology outcome on material selection. Balancing properties, cost, aesthetics, manufacture and environmental impact, and justifying a material choice.