Design Specification

This design is capable of displaying distinctive features which allow it to stand out against competitors. This is due to the idea’s unique and unseen design a desk featuring a fish tank centre piece is generally unheard of within the desk and work surface industry. If this product was to be actually produced and sold the uniqueness would hopefully help to intrigue a large number of people resulting in an increase in profitability for the producing company therefore it complies with the Aesthetics section of the specification.

I have stated that the product’s work surface could be coated in a matte varnish finish to improve the overall appearance and quality of the product specifically the wood grain within the product. This allows an attractive aesthetical finish for the product which may lead to more people being inclined to purchase the product and therefore increase profitability. The glass fish tank could also be given a shine finish to enhance its appearance. Due to the various finishes associated with this idea it complies with the Finish section of the specification.

FIND NAME OF CONTRUCTION

Although the product is attractive in terms of design, perhaps the design isn’t particularly practical due to the high number of sharp edges, corners and components. Due to the inclusion of these potential hazards the user or any individual around the product particularly small children could walk into one of the edges or corners and injure themselves. Therefore, if I am to continue to develop this idea the design needs to be reconsidered as currently it is fairly dangerous and does not allow compliance with the Edges section of my specification. This could be accomplished via smoothing or sanding down the edges or completely reconsidering the shape of the product.

Although the design is not safe in terms of its edges, it does however fulfil the requirements of the loose parts section of my specification. There are no loose components within the design and therefore there is an absence of any material that a small child could swallow therefore it meets the requirements of the Loose Parts section of my specification.  

This idea lacks any form of storage feature due to the design and structure. This limits the range of people who may be willing to purchase it as storage proved to be an important feature for a product like this within my consumer survey. Due to the fact that this product does not cater towards the needs of a student it does comply with the Storage section of my specification.

Due to the placement of the fish tank feature within this design the user is limited to the space of the work surface they can actually use. This limits how much the product is fit for purpose as the user may be unable to use the product to complete documents. Although the product is of a high quality of durability the overriding fact that the user is limited as to how they can use it as a work surface means that the product cannot successfully pass the Sales of Goods Act 1979 therefore it cannot be sold to the public. If I wish to continue to develop this idea it may be useful to reconsider the positioning of the fish tank feature to order to enable passing the act.