Guidance for Testing and evaluating Examination Criteria No

Guidance for : Testing and evaluating Examination Criteria • (No. 7) Have you tested, objectively evaluated and effectively modified your work throughout the process when appropriate? Testing The testing procedure is an essential part of the design process. All products will have to undergo many tests before they are manufactured and released onto the market. We can break the testing procedure into two areas: physical testing and consumer testing (or asking the target audience), both should occur throughout the design process. Evaluating is the process of critically and objectively questioning how well the design ideas or the final product meets the specification list. The evaluation IS NOT a section which simply occurs at the end of the design process. A good evaluation should appear at various stages throughout your design folder. We can break the evaluation process into two areas: formative evaluation and summative evaluation. Physical testing A physical test would be carried out to ensure the product is fit for purpose, meeting all the points listed on the specification list. For example, a POS display will have to be tested to ensure: • it has good stability; • it can be disassembled for postage; • it is strong and rigid. Consumer testing It is also important to gather opinions from the product’s intended users (the target audience). In industry, consumer tests are carried out on a selection of the target audience to obtain essential opinions. These tests normally involve a questionnaire or a simple ranking test. Consumers are asked to state which product they prefer and why. This helps the design team to improve the product’s function and aesthetics. Formative evaluating forms throughout the design process. Every time you make a decision or judgement about your work it should be in relation to the contents of your specification list. Summative evaluating occurs at the end of the design process (summarising). It specifically judges how well the final product (the 3 D outcome) meets the specification list. For a detailed summative evaluation: • always write in third person (Don’t write: I think or I like); • always include sketches detailing how to impove the product; • always answer every point listed on the specification list; • always include the opinion of a third party - ideally the client or someone from the target audience; • compile a questionnaire to ask your target audience; • use photographs to support and describe aspects of the product; • refer to your modifications list to help explain why aspects of the product were changed.

8. Evaluation designtechnogy