PROD30002 Design in Context
BSc (Hons) Product Design
Learning Proposals. Date of Hand in : 26th October 2021 via NOW Submission Submission Requirements : 2000 word count – 1000 words for each project Video Presentation 5 mins Max Student Information Student Name: Jacob Truelove-Cooke Student Number: N0852184 Thesis or Dissertation: Thesis
The Commercial Project (CP) [1000 words max.] “Design a luxury bathroom smart mirror to be part of the Tissino, Esclusiva range launching in Q4 2022, which includes innovative smart technology setting it apart from existing products currently on the market” (NTU, 2021, P6 – Paraphrased Text) Background Context: •
The project aims to provide a new, innovative and/or improved smart bathroom mirror for the Esclusiva range launching in 2022. Tissino is an Italian inspired brand of stylish and contemporary bathroom products serving boutique showrooms alongside several other upmarket locations. There is an ingrained theme of “durability, functionality and luxury style” within the Esclusiva range which creates a push for use of the highest quality raw materials and the products themselves being engineered to last.
Fig. 1 – Products within esclusiva
Fig. 2 – Products within esclusiva
Fig. 3 – Products within esclusiva
current range (Tissino, 2021)
current range (Tissino, 2021)
current range (Tissino, 2021)
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PROD30002 Design in Context
BSc (Hons) Product Design
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Smart products are categorised as “a product which combines a physical product with software interfaces.” (UIAH.fi, 2021). The use of a smart product is interactive but inherently requires some cognitive work by the user. The products themselves are usually targeted towards a specific functionality.
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From the onset of Covid-19, and its effect on society over the past 18 months, it’s no surprise renovations alongside DIY has and is continuing to skyrocket. “With around 48% percent of households refreshed their homes last year spending on average £1,640… also discovering 359,013 households applied for planning permission across the UK.” (House Beautiful, June 17,2021) The home renovation data found suggested that bathroom renovations were the 2nd most popular category but currently “the Tissino mirror and cabinet designs are currently very generic and do not stand out on the market, therefore causing a loss in sales on mirrors to inexpensive high street alternatives.” (NTU, 2021, P6).
Target Audience/Consumers: •
The target audience /consumers for this project are aimed at adults. This is due to the context of the product being focussed on bathroom products within a consumer home environment. Encompassed within the ‘Adult’ category, is couples, families and individuals. Any of which are suitable consumers providing they align with the other specified user criteria.
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Due to Tissino’s high-end product lines which push for ‘longevity, luxury styling and use of the highest quality raw materials.’ The price of their products is high compared to cheaper mass-produced items. Hence the market is aimed more so at the middle and upper class, who have more expendable income enabling the purchase of products within the luxury sector of markets. To further expand, the target audience is based around homeowners and landlords who have the freedom to renovate or alter their property.
Design Methodology: •
For this Specific Project, a very rigorous and routine approach will be taken. This will help to ensure that all defined points of the criteria and/or refined brief are met. Hence, I intend to implement the ‘Double Diamond’ process. This particular method helps to break the project down into 4 stages – creating the ‘double diamond’ shape through divergent and convergent thinking various points. The
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PROD30002 Design in Context
BSc (Hons) Product Design
stages are as followed; Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver. Breaking each stage down as; o
Stage 1 – the first divergent sector of the ‘DD’. This encompasses the initial stages of the project such as the brief breakdown and preliminary research.
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Stage 2 – the second stage is convergent. This includes but is not limited to the compilation of themes, insights, How Might We thought process leading into ideation.
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Stage 3 – the 2nd divergent section, this expansion encompasses the main ‘ideation’ stage which through reflection and evaluation leads to expansion.
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Stage 4 – is the final convergent section of the process. This is the refinement stage through mock assemblies, prototyping, iteration and following with the production of the final design alongside the deliverables.
Fig. 4 – The ‘Double Diamond’ process and a breakdown into its counterparts (Medium, 2021)
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Starting with a brief breakdown, Selecting key elements, factors effecting the base direction for the project. These steps are then used to carry out the Secondary research, Analysing the current market with a special focus on what the current products from Tissino lack alongside what current companies have on the market resulting in consumers taking business elsewhere. As highlighted in the context, research into what makes a product ‘smart’ is essential. A smaller section of time should also be allocated to producing mindmaps, word clouds side by side with more varied research exploring technology and potential project directions. 3
PROD30002 Design in Context
BSc (Hons) Product Design
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The define stage of the ‘DD’ can be first used to evaluate the potential project directions and narrow down these routes into the refined directions/areas in which the project is best suited to. The use of User journey mapping along with a questionnaire (filled in by the selected consumer group) should help to finalise the areas which require the most development and in turn forming the base for ideation. These people could also be involved as part of a focus group which throughout the development, relay work to evaluate and critique, tailoring the product to the user demand.
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The ideation paired with the evaluation and reflection from the questionnaires/focus groups should then lead into further expansion of ideas, rapid sketch modelling allowing the design to critique concepts. Leading on to more accurate and detailed modelling should help highlight a specific concept/’s which can be taken to the focus group for further evaluation, shaping the final concept/design.
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The delivery stage of the ‘DD’ starts with final iterations, tweaks and developments of the final concept until any issues found are resolved. The design can then be taken onto CAD building accurate digital prototypes of the final design with accompanied with technical drawings. Finally product branding is to be developed alongside presentation boards which help to showcase the product, its features and information such as; materials, costs, technology/counterparts, exploded views and dimensions and any other pertinent information.
Expected Outcomes of the Project: •
The expected outcome for this project is to have produced a ‘smart’ bathroom mirror which aligns with the Esclusiva collection produced by Tissino. The design/prototype should assist or solve the issues highlighted the user experience research data. (Prediction of factors such as Lighting, Mist on surface, Storage) The introduction of ‘smart’ technology should aid the product in reinstating its position within the market sector where Tissino’s products are currently inefficacious. Therefore, drawing customers to purchase this product instead of cheap mass-produced market alternatives.
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The Predicted USP for the product is to make the user experience within a bathroom environment, through the smart product, effortless and advantageous with simple user interaction. For example, many consumers take speakers into the
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PROD30002 Design in Context
BSc (Hons) Product Design
bathroom to listen to music. This risk of damage to property could easily be removed through the incorporation of a speaker within the design. Workload Plan:
Fig. 5 – Gantt chart showing Intended workload plan (Authors chart,2021)
Additional Support: For this project; workshop access is likely to be needed for the production of prototypes and sketch models. CAD and rendering software will help to produce the best quality representation of the final design. The workshop staff’s knowledge in manufacturing processes and suitable materials may also be required to aid in the product development.
Word Count : 999 (Not including, Quotes, subheadings, Figure descriptions)
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PROD30002 Design in Context
BSc (Hons) Product Design
Self-Directed Project (SD) [1000 words max.] Provisional Scope of the Project: •
The chosen aim within the Self-directed project is to design a new product or redesign/develop an existing product within the medical sector - To better the functionality, suit a wider user range or specifically address an issue that has been made clear by people suffering from a form of the Medical condition diabetes. ‘Over 4.9 million people suffer from diabetes in the UK alone’ (Diabetes UK, 2020) and a further increase by a million people is predicted by 2030.
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The end goal for the ‘Self-Directed’ module is to design or develop a product which aids in living with diabetes on a day to day basis making it more manageable and in turn, reducing long term damage or effects people may do to themselves by poorly looked after blood sugars.
Background area(s) that you are Considering: •
What is Diabetes and a breakdown of the types. Diabetes is a very serious medical condition where your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, the insulin produced is ineffective or produces no insulin at all. “All types of diabetes cause people to have too much glucose (sugar) in their blood” (Diabetes UK, 2021). Every person requires the hormone insulin on a daily basis. Produced in the pancreas, insulin is what allows the glucose into our cells to fuel our body while also acting as a counter measure lowering blood sugar when too high.
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Over long periods of time, if blood glucose levels are not correctly managed it can lead to various forms of very serious damage to the body and its organs. It can ‘Lead to the loss of sight, foot problems leading to amputation, heart attacks, kidney problems’. The list for problems keeps going but with the correct management of blood glucose levels, people suffering with diabetes can live a perfectly healthy life.
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Certain parts of diabetes equipment have been through major developments in recent years. In November 2017, The Freestyle Libra became available free through the NHS for Diabetics. These enable the user to remotely test blood sugars on the go through a connection of module to mobile phone or reader. This step up was revolutionary compared to traditional finger prick blood testing units which for visually impaired individuals may find hard to use alongside young teenagers who out of laziness choose to not bother out of impracticality.
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PROD30002 Design in Context
BSc (Hons) Product Design
Fig. 6 – An image showing Finger prick blood test
Fig. 7 – An Image showing Libra monitor with smart phone
(Diabetes.co.uk, 2019)
(Healthline, June 2021)
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The advancement in technology has not been followed across all areas surrounding diabetes. Insulin delivery has had development but only in specific sub-categories and not across all methods. There has been continuous development of the pump which uses a catheter and remain always attached to the user. These are not suitable for a lot of people who need flexibility of what they can wear, what activities they can participate within such as sportsmen/women. Alongside a lot of users just disliking the use of a catheter itself. But insulin pens have had no further development in design, aesthetics, features or function since 2007.
Fig. 8 – A timeline of major landmark events in the evolution of insulin delivery (Evolution of insulin delivery, 2020)
Justification of Approach to your project: •
The chosen project direction has a big focus on user needs and desires. Through direction like this User Centred/Experience Design is key. Therefore I intend to have a big involvement with users and focus groups throughout the entirety of the project. A further aim in turn is to design a product which fits with the specified 7
PROD30002 Design in Context
BSc (Hons) Product Design
needs which is a modern design on innovative replacement for current products used my diabetics. •
Primary research is going to be essential with the project. The utilization of focus groups, interviews alongside regular check-ups with simple questions will all help provide vital knowledge of how and why current products are not useful. Elaborating problems with the current design but also problems which the current design doesn’t address due to the lack of recent development. Through the various forms of feedback, it will enable the designer to specifically tailor to user needs. The regular check-ups will ensure the project is following the direction specified by the user groups and constant evaluation and feedback will help to push the product to its peak functionality and form as a concept.
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Secondary research will supplement the base of the ‘SD’ Project. This will help with analysis the current market, what products are currently out there. The evaluation and scrutiny of current products should provide some user insight into what is currently could be improved or added to a product.
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The outcome of the design process, courtesy of the focus groups and others making the user group, will be analysed for real life use. The information and advice collected throughout the project should help to ensure the product is as close to the user specified needs.
How the Self Directed Projects Relates to Myself (1st Person): •
I as the designer have a real personal connection with Diabetes. Both my grandmother and brother suffer from type 1 diabetes alongside my late Uncle. My brother being diagnosed at just age 3 has had to grow up not knowing any different and as a result, I have always been around the products he uses on a day-to-day basis and witness some of the issues and frustration he regularly finds. The project direction appealed to myself as I have already had hand’s on opportunities with products and was already able to pick out issues and problems in the past.
Anticipated Outcome of the Self-Directed Project: •
The project is a very niche area specified within the medical design industry. Through base research and information passed on through family members, one category for highlighted room for development was ‘insulin delivery methods’. Current products on the market have not changed in design for years and beside function look seriously outdated. In turn this may be a potential outlet for most improvement paired with the introduction of modern technological improvements.
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PROD30002 Design in Context
BSc (Hons) Product Design
Fig. 9 – An Image showing current pens sold by Novo Nordisk and Sticker skins
Additional Support: For the Self-Directed project, workshop access will definitely needed for the prototyping and testing of designs. Alongside, the knowledge of the staff (through industry and experience) will be essential to ensure the best materials and manufacturing processes are selected for the prototype. CAD and rendering software will help to produce the best quality representation of the final design. All accompanied by regular referrals to tutors throughout the duration of the project to aid the development.
Word Count : 988 (Not including, Quotes, subheadings, Figure descriptions)
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PROD30002 Design in Context
BSc (Hons) Product Design
Figures within the learning proposal: 1. An image containing some of the current Esclusiva Range. - Tissino, 2021. Esclusiva Product Collection. [image] Available at: <https://www.tissino.co.uk/collections/https-www-tissino-co-ukesclusiva> [Accessed 25 September 2021]. 2. An image containing some of the current Esclusiva Range. - Tissino, 2021. Esclusiva Product Collection. [image] Available at: <https://www.tissino.co.uk/collections/https-www-tissino-co-ukesclusiva> [Accessed 25 September 2021]. 3. An image containing some of the current Esclusiva Range. - Tissino, 2021. Esclusiva Product Collection. [image] Available at: <https://www.tissino.co.uk/collections/https-www-tissino-co-ukesclusiva> [Accessed 25 September 2021]. 4. An image showing the breakdown of the double diamond methodology - Nessler, D., 2021. How to apply a design thinking, HCD, UX or any creative process from scratch. [online] Medium. Available at: <https://medium.com/digital-experience-design/how-to-apply-a-design-thinking-hcd-ux-orany-creative-process-from-scratch-b8786efbf812> [Accessed 27 September 2021]. 5. A Gantt Chart Showing the authors proposed breakdown of the project duration. Authors file. 2021 6. An image showing the use of a finger prick blood glucose test. Diabetes UK, 2019 7. An image demonstrating the interaction between libra unit and a smartphone device, Healthline, June 2021 8. A timeline highlighting the key developments within insulin delivery methods - Kesavadev, J., Saboo, B., Krishna, M. and Krishnan, G., 2020. Evolution of Insulin Delivery Devices: From Syringes, Pens, and Pumps to DIY Artificial Pancreas. Diabetes Therapy. [online] Available at: <https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13300-020-00831-z> [Accessed 21 October 2021]. 9. An image showing the Current pens from Novo Nordisk which haven’t changed in design for years. The introduction of ‘skins’ is the ‘innovation’ , Novo Nordisk 2013
References within the learning proposal: 1. BSc Commercial Project Briefs 2021-22. Nottingham Trent University, p.6. (Paraphrased From the original provided Brief statement) [Accessed on 22nd September 2021] 2. Uiah.fi. 2021. What are smart products?. [online] Available at: <http://www.uiah.fi/tmo/uidesign/index.html> [Accessed 26 September 2021]. 3. Joyner, L., 2021. The most popular home renovation trends this year. [online] House Beautiful. Available at: <https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/renovate/a36738452/popular-homerenovation-trends/> [Accessed 26 September 2021]. 4. BSc Commercial Project Briefs 2021-22. Nottingham Trent University, p.6 [Accessed on 27th September 2021] 5. UK, D., 2021. Diabetes statistics. [online] Diabetes UK. Available at: <https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statementsreports/statistics?gclid=CjwKCAjwq9mLBhB2EiwAuYdMtaYEoha8NM0CHWcJixHTGyGyL_ZaB0E4S psq1MYM-mnCE_90LPzzahoClFQQAvD_BwE> [Accessed 16 October 2021]. 6. UK, D., 2021. Diabetes: the basics. [online] Diabetes UK. Available at: <https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics> [Accessed 19 October 2021]. 7. Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. 2021. Diabetes - long-term effects - Better Health Channel. [online] Available at: <https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/diabetes-long-termeffects#:~:text=The%20long%2Dterm%20effects%20of,of%20diabetes%20can%20be%20reduced .> [Accessed 19 October 2021].
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