The product development process: the Wenger 1/1 Office Printer
Title:
The product development process: the Wenger 1/1 Office Printer
Author:
Brossardt, Ansgar
Appeared in:
Behaviour & information technology
Paging:
Volume 6 (1987) nr. 3 pages 299-301
Year:
1987-07-01
Contents:
A product that is adapted individually to a specific market segment, that is innovative, and that is constructed aesthetically, will be successful. In this process there is a triangular relationship between designer, client, company and market, where functional communication has to be ensured. Globally the market has segmented into age groups, so that aesthetic attitudes are independent of nationality. Design should distinguish a product from the mass by accentuating its individual characteristics and so enable the consumer to identify with it. Today's design determines tomorrow's quality of life. This article describes the process of product development as exampled by the Wenger 1/1 Office Printer. The design development procedure is divided into three phases: (a) planning phase; (b) project phase; (c) realization phase. The printer market is described, and the most important product requirements defined. The design concept was that a product should be developed that combined the advantages of impact- and non-impact printing techniques with a new, market-influencing design, There were two options with regard to the Wenger 1/1; [a) mechanical and electronic parts combined in one housing; (b) mechanical and electronic parts in separate housings. In order to ensure optimal noise silencing, option (b) was chosen. The favored option was realized in a foam-rubber model, and details worked out. A 'function-model' was manufactured and tested to ensure performance and market-adjustment of the new product. The designer and the client then liaised to supervise the product through to serial manufacture.
Journal description