Further Work

This section looks at some other theories about design and some further work you may want to try. Before considering this it would probably be a good idea to have tried the worksheet on design in the Cameron Balloons virtual factory.

A printable version of this further work is available for filling in answers.

Though design in itself is only a small part of most study of business, it is a vital part of the product - something which any business should be looking at very carefully. Here are some other aspects of the 'product' itself that you may want to consider looking at:

Product or market-oriented?

A firm can choose whether to be product or market-oriented. Businesses in the past tended to be product-oriented. They would develop what they thought was a good product and then work hard to sell that to the customer and convince them that it was just what they needed (even if they didn't know it before!).

Now firms tend to be much more market-oriented and realise that they have to design the products to satisfy the requirements of the market. They will now tend to spend much more time and effort on market research to ensure that they understand their market, and produce the right range of products for that market.

Would you consider Cameron Balloons to be product or market-oriented? Why?

Value analysis

Value analysis is a technique used by consumers to ensure that consumers get value for money. All designers want the product to be as good as possible, but this may lead to an expensive product. The firm therefore has to assess whether they can cut costs at all and still give the consumer value for money.

The success of this technique depends very much on the level of co-operation between all the departments in the firm. Designers have to check with the marketing department about what consumers will accept in the way of compromise. They also have to check with the production department about the feasibility of different production techniques. It is a complex process, but one that can yield significant benefits.

Patents

A patent protects the inventor of a new product from competition. It protects the inventor by preventing other firms from copying it for 15 years. To be valid it has to be registered and approved by the 'Patent Office'. This can be a lengthy process as an inventor or developer has to prove that this is a wholly new product (or process).

Use your textbook or library to find out all you can about patents. From your research, do you think patents will be of any interest to Cameron Balloons? Justify your answer.