Why and how designers analyse products
I can analyse a product to identify successful features and those which can be improved.
Why and how designers analyse products
I can analyse a product to identify successful features and those which can be improved.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- All design and technological practice takes place within contexts which inform outcomes.
- Designers can use strategies to help them perform analysis.
- Designers analyse products to identify successful features and those which can be improved.
Keywords
Context - the situation within which something exists or happens
Analysis - examining something in detail
Function - the purpose of the product
Form - a particular shape, linked to aesthetics
Common misconception
Possible outcome design fixation limits context exploration. Product analysis leads to copying.
Product analysis identifies successful features and those which can be improved.
To help you plan your year 10 design and technology lesson on: Why and how designers analyse products, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 design and technology lesson on: Why and how designers analyse products, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the Product analysis: encouraging healthy lifestyles unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
A selection of products to analyse. The example in this lesson is a can opener.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
a particular shape, linked to aesthetics
the purpose of the product
user
location
function