Research involves- Collecting and collating information Analysing and reporting the findings Research helps identify Factors that affect consumer choices such as cost, colour Consumer preferences within certain target groups.
Primary research involves gathering the information yourself. Such as shows and exhibitions Focus groups Questionnaires and surveys
Questionnaires and surveys are the most popular method of collecting and analysing consumer information. They can be face to face, telephone or postal. You need a large sample for it to be reliable Can be general or target certain groups Questions should be clear and focused Avoid leading questions or closed questions. Focus groups bring together a small group of consumers so that designers can ask questions about how products are used by consumers Gain feedback on designs Observe people using existing products to see how they function using them.
Secondary research relies on information that has been collected by others. Secondary sources include- Statistics Market reports Websites Trade publications Newspapers books
Designers can gain inspiration from many different places Art Graphics and photographs Materials and fabrics Exhibitions, fairs and shows Cinema Travel Architecture, furniture and interior design Nature
Analyse The function Style Key design features Construction methods Fibres Environmental issues Assess The ergonomics of the product The size Component parts Method of manufacture cost
Identify Colour application Embellishments Trimmings Care label Finishes BSI standards Fabric construction sizes
In industry designers spend relatively little time on research in comparison to developing ideas. They will find out what consumers think of new designs before manufacture using surveys and focused groups. Designers monitor high street fashion trends called intelligence gathering.
Following any research exercises you need to analyse and evaluate the information gathered to establish If there is a clear trend in the data How it will impact on the design Research findings can be displayed using ICT such as tables, pie charts, star profiles, line graphs, Mood boards