1. Elaine Potter Initial Research Report 0643408

2. Introduction From time spent on Co-op in a computer peripherals and universal remote control company, and from my own user habits when working in an unstructured environment when navigating through a laptop or television a number of pain points became apparent. The following research was done to investigate all problem areas and to find a product concept emerging from the results.

3. Secondary Research Methods and Results

5. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Physiological Safety Social Esteem Self-actualization Have product instil self confidence and Pride Aid the activity of social networking and not alienate the user when in use The basic functions can be done easily and intuitively Be made of good quality materials Let the user utilise their product to the max of their ability

6. Existing Products of Interest

7. Learning by Toying Lecture by Professor Sudarshan Khanna. In relation to my FYP I think now more than before that the option of further customisation is important to the product I will end up designing. People have more of a connection with something that they have had some part in creating. It is possible for a person to feel a connection to a piece of technology when they have helped shape form it in some way. Plus any sort of product that incorporates any element of play will, as a by-product, lead to a much more enjoyable and engaging product.

11. Brainstorming This time was spent to further define the project problem statement and also it proved invaluable to getting fresh view points and altering direction when undertaking research. From the results of Brainstorming it was clearer to prioritise areas of interest.

13. Sample Observations

15. Results of Questionnaire Do you use your laptop in the following positions? * Note nobody said no to watching television on the internet.

16. Results of Questionnaire

18. Sample Observations from User Trials

19. Basic User User Profiling Expert Explorer

23. Style Analysis

24. Colour Colour has become huge as an essential option in a product. Apple computers and iPods have lead the way for offering people the chance to have their products show a side of their personalities. Now every technology manufacturer has to keep up. This must be kept in mind when deciding a manufacturing process.

25. Portability As has been gone through already laptops have become more portable and so the devices that control them must be ultra portable also.

26. Customisable Customers want a product that can be customised to some degree, whether that be size, weight or colour . Now users expect more and more out of their products it is now taken for granted that the product have good aesthetics, ergonomic and user friendly. They now want more, by offering customisation it will give the product that does end up being designed an edge over competitor’s products and be more pleasing to the users.

27. Environment