Welcome to the World of Product Analysis!

Ever look at a water bottle and think, "I love the grip, but the lid is impossible to open with one hand"? Or have you used an app and thought, "The buttons are too small, but the colors are great"? If so, you are already thinking like a designer! In this chapter, we focus on Criterion A (Inquiring and Analysing), specifically on how to look at products that already exist to help us create something even better.

Analyzing existing products isn't about "copying" someone else’s work. It’s about being a design detective. You investigate what works, what fails, and what you can learn to make your own solution successful.

Note: This is the third part of your Inquiry phase. You’ve already identified your problem; now you’re looking for inspiration!

What are "Existing Products"?

Depending on which type of Design you are studying, your "existing products" will look different:

  • Product Design: Physical objects like chairs, backpacks, or kitchen tools.
  • Digital Design: Websites, apps, video games, or software systems.
  • Combined: Products that have both physical and digital parts, like a smartwatch.

Why Do We Analyse Them?

We don't live in a vacuum. To create a substantial or excellent solution, you need to understand the market. We analyse products to:

  • Find Inspiration: See creative ways others solved similar problems.
  • Learn from Mistakes: Identify "pain points" (things users hate) so you don't repeat them.
  • Understand the User: See how real people interact with current designs.
  • Identify "Gaps": Find out what is missing from current products so you can provide it.

The Command-Term Ladder: How Deep Should You Go?

In the IB MYP, how you write about these products changes as you get older and as you aim for higher marks. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first—just focus on moving up one "step" at a time!

  1. State (Level 1-2): You simply name the product and point out a feature. ("This app has a blue button.")
  2. Outline (Level 3-4): You give a brief summary of the main features. ("This app uses a blue button for the 'Home' function so users can find it easily.")
  3. Explain (Level 5-6): You give reasons for why things are the way they are. ("The designer used a blue button because blue is a calm color and it stands out against the white background, making navigation intuitive.")
  4. Analyse (Level 7-8): You break the product into parts to see how they work together and justify how this inspires your own work. ("By breaking down the user interface, I can see that the minimalist layout reduces cognitive load. This inspires me to limit my own design to three main icons to help my target audience of elderly users.")

How to Perform a Design Analysis

When you sit down to look at a range of products, you need a plan. Don't just look at them; pull them apart (mentally or physically!). Here are some common lenses designers use:

1. Aesthetics (The Look)

How does it look? Consider colors, shapes, textures, and patterns. Does it look professional, fun, or high-tech?

2. Function (The Work)

Does it actually do what it’s supposed to do? How easy is it to use? This is where you look at ergonomics (how it fits the human body) or the user interface (how easy it is to click and move through an app).

3. Materials and Components

What is it made of? Why did the designer choose plastic instead of wood? Or why did the coder use a specific navigation menu instead of a search bar?

4. Target Audience

Who was this made for? A product designed for a toddler looks and feels very different from a product designed for a professional engineer.

Quick Tip: Use a table to compare 2 or 3 different products side-by-side. It makes it much easier to see the patterns!

The "Inspiration" Factor

The most important part of Criterion A (iii) is showing how these products inspire your solution. Every time you mention a feature of an existing product, try to finish the sentence with: "...and this inspires my design because..."

Example: "The backpack I analysed uses recycled plastic fabric. This inspires me to research sustainable materials for my own project to meet my client's desire for an eco-friendly product."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Only looking at one product: The criteria ask for a "range" (usually 2 or 3).
  • Being too descriptive: Don't just tell your teacher what the product is. Tell them why it matters to your project.
  • Choosing unrelated products: If you are designing a coffee mug, don't analyse a skyscraper (unless there is a very specific structural reason!).
  • Forgetting the "Why": Always link your analysis back to your Target Audience and your Design Problem.

Quick Review: Key Takeaways

Summary:

  • Criterion A (iii) is about investigating products that already exist to help you solve your problem.
  • Move beyond stating facts to analysing and justifying how these products inspire you.
  • Look at Aesthetics, Function, Materials, and Target Audience.
  • Always link your findings back to your own project goals (your Design Brief).

Ready for the next step? Once you've finished your analysis, you'll head to the next chapter: Developing the Design Brief, where you wrap up all your research into a clear "mission statement" for your project!