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Preston Bike123456Design stage: Be specific
Video 2.2mb The suspension

Be specific
The design specification is an extremely important stage in the process of designing. In the case of the PRST-1 mountain bike, the specification would certainly have contained precise details regarding the bike's performance, strength and reliability.

A good design specification sets out the important requirements and details that an effective design solution must satisfy. These requirements also allow for the product to be evaluated later. It is important that both the client and the designer agree and are happy with all aspects of the specification before the designer starts generating ideas and design proposals.

Whilst the original design brief provides the overall specification, the results and conclusions of the research work carried out as part of the product investigation will fill in the important detail. The final specification for the product is built up over a period of time as and when significant factors of the design requirements evolve through careful investigation and research into the need or problem to be solved.

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Quote by Stephan Sappl

Some or all of the following aspects are usually defined in a design specification:

  • function – what the product has to do
  • performance – how well and how often it has to do it
  • user needs – in terms of age, gender, physical disadvantages etc
  • health and safety requirements
  • product maintenance – reliability, how it may be repaired etc
  • sizes – maximum and minimum
  • environmental issues – recyclable materials/components etc
  • aesthetic – visual/sensory requirements, style
  • materials/finishes
  • number to be made
  • production processes to be used
  • accuracy and quality in relation to tolerances etc
  • costs in relation to budget/profit etc
  • price – an indication of the eventual retail price
  • product life span – how long it should last

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