1. Understanding the user

An important part of any product design activity is to develop an understanding of the needs and wants of those who will be using the product that is being designed. A product will only be successful if it meets these requirements

An important lesson for your students is to realise that their personal preferences may not be relevant to the design activity. So your students must be clear about for whom they are designing and have the means to find out about their preferences.

The student reading describes the PIES approach to identifying people's needs, ways to observe people, how to ask questions, the use of books and magazine, image boards and the use of questionnaires.

The Resource Task SRT1 gives practice at using the PIES approach, devising questions and developing image boards. The Resource Task SRT2 provides experience of collecting and handling information through the use of questionnaires.