PRODUCT DESIGN storage box project

SPECIFICATION

Function: Function is important as without a function the product has no purpose and will be useless; and will not appeal to the customer. The storage box must also be a minimum size to accommodate the object(s) intended to be stored in it. A special feature may improve the functionality of the storage box; or it could be a surprise feature, which the consumer did not initially realise that it was included in the storage box. This surprise feature might then encourage you to buy another storage box. Only 1/6 customers would definitely not like a special feature; such as pockets, locks and mirrors. For this reason my product will include a special feature. Another Functional requirement includes that the product must not break, this includes the ability to withstand a certain load and this may then determine the use of certain materials; for example Balsa Wood may be cheap, however it might have the strength required for the storage box.

Safety: Safety is important as if the product is not safe then customers will not buy the product and the product will not meet any safety regulations; you (the company) could also be sued.

Customer: The customer is important as you have to have a target market to know the cost and therefore the material, size and also function of the product. Due to the consumer profiles I now know that the product will be aimed at the 15-20 year old age bracket as they would be prepared to spend £20-25 and I would be able to use wood (if the design is appropriate) as 5/6 consumer asked choose wood.

Cost: The cost of the product has to be appropriate for the target market as if it is too expensive no consumer will buy the product. The cost is also important as it has to be appropriate for the material used. The cost also relies upon the labour costs and fixed costs such as the price of tools and factory space; if the volume of storage boxes being produced is low, then the materials, the factory size and tools available to both use and buy will differ.

Aesthetics: The aesthetics of the product are important as if the product doesn’t look appealing to the target market, the target market will not buy the product. The storage box must also be of a high quality; it must have an atheistic quality as well as a high functional quality, for example the storage box must have aesthetically pleasing joinery, however the strength of those joints must not be compromised by this.

Materials: Materials are important as they determine the final retail price. Due to the questionnaire I know that wood was the most popular choice for 5/6 of the consumers asked and that the price range of £2-25 would allow the product (if necessary) to be made out of pine or more suitably Balsa, MDF or other relatively low cost woods.

Size: The size is important as it will determine what the consumer will be able to store and what the final costs will be; due to my questionnaire. I know that the product will be a medium size.

Environment: The environment in which the product will be stored and used is important as it affects the size of the product and also is the material used needs to be waterproof

Value: The storage box will have no value if it doesn’t have a function; the cost also relies on the function of the storage box.

Specification points	Priority (one- most important to eight- least important)
Aesthetics	5
Size	7
Safety	2
Consumer	3
Cost	4
Function	1
Material	6
Environment	8

INITIAL BRIEF

To make a storage box for organisational purposes.

QUESTIONNAIRE

		Answer
Questions	Possible answers	1	2	3	4	5	6
Where would you put your storage box?	Bedroom Living room Other	x	x	x	x		x

						x
What material would you like the storage box to be made out of?	Wood Plastic Metal	x	x	x	x		x
					x	x

How much would you be prepared to spend (£)?	5-10 10-20 >20	x	x	x
					x
						x	x
What would you store in the storage box?	Jewellery DVD’s/CD’s Other
							x
		x	x	x	x	x
How big would you like the storage box to be?	Small Medium Large				x
		x	x	x	x
						x	x
Would you like the storage box to be decorative?	Yes No Depends on the design	x	x	x	x	x

							x
Would you like the storage box to have a special feature such as a pocket, lock and mirrors?	Yes No Depends on the design	x	x	x		x
							x
					x
What type of colour would you like the storage box to be?	Pastel Plain Neon Other				x
		x					x
			x
				x		x

SIMILAR PRODUCT BREAKDOWN

The storage box is made out of hard board, pine and acrylic. All of these materials are sustainable as hard board is made out of recycled wood; the pine is easily re-grown; and the acrylic is re-usable

The main material: pine, is easy to work with and gives a nice finish.

The storage box is simplistic, using butt joints and mitre joints; however they are effective. The size of the storage box is appropriate for its contents: an award; its 215mm high, 120mm wide and 100mm deep. A latch and hinges are used to close and open the box, it is simple yet effective.

The storage box was produced in a workshop using butt and mitre joints as well as nails; which will be similar to how my storage box will be produced.

PROFILES

AGE: 15-20

COST: £20-£25

STORING: CD’s

MATERIAL: MDF, plastics

AGE: 30-40

COST: £50-60

STORING: CD’s

MATERIAL: oak, mahogany, teak

AGE: 50

COST: £30-50

STORING: CD’s

MATERIAL: oak, mahogany

THE PROBLEM

Due to this problem I know that I need to produce (design ands make) a storage box tailored to fit my possessions.

SHOP SURVEY


Size	35x25x20 (cm)	50 litre	94x44x91 (cm)	33x42.5x25.4 (cm)
Cost	£6.95 for one (of three)	£29.99 for five	£81	£30.36 for 10
Material	Na however fleece is used	Plastic	Plastic and wood	Cardboard
special features	Air-permeable	Can be easily stacked	Several groves allow you to place the boxes wherever you want	Large label area for identifying contents
Shop	Amazon	EBay	IKEA	Tesco