Writing a specification
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The document provides guidance on writing a design specification for a product. It explains that a design specification lists the key features and requirements that a product is intended to have based on research and design intentions. Examples of what could be included in a specification are provided, such as size, ergonomics, materials, and user needs. Students are then given two specification points and asked to re-write them to make them more clear, concise, user-focused, and comprehensive.
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Writing a specification
- 1. TaskImagine that you have been given a million pounds and intend to buy a car and a house. Do you go out and by the first car that you see? Or do you have some features that you would like to ‘include’ in your dream car and house that make you shop around a little?On the cards that you have been given, sketch a car and house, write down the key features that you would like your dream car and dream house to have. You could include things like location, number of rooms, decor.Remember, you have a million pounds!
- 4. Design SpecificationIf your ideal house would stand on the bank of a river, face the sun as it rises and be surrounded by woods, then it would be a very different house to the one needed for an office worker in central London who wants somewhere close to the office and near to restaurants and pubs.Features that you want to include in a design for a product you intend to make are much the same. These features when listed are what we call the ‘Design Specification’.Much of what you have found out as a result of your research will be included in your specification.
- 5. Learning OutcomesTo investigate how to write a design specification.To write a design specification which fully reflects your design intentions.(Reflective Learners, Creative Thinkers)
- 6. Mind map
- 9. Headings – such as essential, desirable, optional
- 10. Break it down into sections – function, performance, size, weight, target market, aesthetics, ergonomics, materials, safety, cost, manufacturing, social and moral considerations, consumer law, environmental factors, sustainable technologies and so on...
- 11. Colour code each specification point!
- 12. Page 111 in your textbook!Design SpecificationPresentation of your specification
- 14. Design Specification What is the intention behind the design of the product? What should its purpose be?Who is the product aimed at?How can the product be designed so that it performs as well as it possibly can do?If it is designed to be handheld, how large are the hands of the operator?How is the intended design of the product going to look? What will make it aesthetically pleasing?Are materials important to the creation of the product? Are there any specific manufacturing processes that will be needed to create the desired design effects?
- 15. TaskRead the following specification point:Size: Utilizing my survey questionnaire and my individual designs, I know that the size of my product will be no larger than the actual MP3. The MP3 player should at least have a length of 140mm and a width of 70mm. This would provide a range of MP3’s enough space to fit inside the case.In pairs, re-write it: with a good clear justification (to get higher marks)
- 16. with the user in mind (because the user is important when designing)
- 17. using fewer words (to make it more concise and to the point)
- 18. removing any ‘useless’ information (to make it clearer to follow)
- 19. adding further points you can think of (to make the specification more comprehensive)TaskRead the following specification point:Ergonomics: The product will be comfortable to use and hold. I will make it hand held so that the user is able to hold with ease. In addition, I must consider the weight of my product as the users would find it difficult to carry heavy weight materials. These ergonomics are necessary if I was to make my product successful.In pairs, re-write it: with a good clear justification (to get higher marks)
- 20. with the user in mind (because the user is important when designing)
- 21. using fewer words (to make it more concise and to the point)
- 22. removing any ‘useless’ information (to make it clearer to follow)
- 23. adding further points you can think of (to make the specification more comprehensive)