A LEVEL DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY:
PRODUCT DESIGN : PRINCIPLES OF
PRODUCT DESIGN ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ What is the purpose of a Product Design Specification (PDS)?.
Answer: To provide a clear set of testable criteria for assessing the success
of a product.
◍ What does UCD stand for in design?.
Answer: User Centred Design
◍ What does UCD mean?.
Answer: all products designed should be focuses around the end user and the
potential end user should be considered/ involved at all stages of the design
process.
◍ What are Dieter Rams 10 principles of good design?.
Answer: Good design is innovative, makes a product useful, aesthetic,
makes a product understandable, unobtrusive, honest, long lasting, thorough
down to the last detail, environmentally friendly, little design as possible
◍ Why is critical analysis important in product design?.
Answer: It helps in assessing existing products to guide the development of
new designs.
◍ What is the significance of Dieter Ram's 10 principles of good design?.
Answer: They serve as guidelines to ensure products are useful and
functional.
, ◍ What does the term 'fitness for purpose' refer to in product design?.
Answer: The ability of a product to meet its intended use and requirements.
◍ What is a common misconception about good design?.
Answer: That it is solely about aesthetics rather than functionality.
◍ Who is Stuart Pugh and what is his contribution to design?.
Answer: He is a designer known for founding the term 'total design' and
emphasizing the importance of PDS.
◍ What are the 6 R's to consider in product design?.
Answer: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Refuse, and Rethink.
◍ What is the role of ergonomics in product design?.
Answer: To ensure the product interacts well with users and is comfortable
to use.
◍ What does the term 'empathetic design' mean?.
Answer: Designing with an understanding of the user's experiences and
needs.
◍ What is the importance of testing in the design process?.
Answer: To evaluate how well the product meets the specified criteria.
◍ What is meant by 'product life span' in design criteria?.
Answer: The expected duration a product should last before needing
replacement.
◍ How does user involvement enhance the design process?.
Answer: It ensures the product meets their needs and preferences effectively.
◍ What is the significance of aesthetics in product design?.
Answer: Aesthetics relate to the form, shape, and proportion of the product,
affecting user appeal.
◍ What is a product analysis?.
Answer: A critical assessment of a product using predefined criteria to
evaluate its effectiveness.
PRODUCT DESIGN : PRINCIPLES OF
PRODUCT DESIGN ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◍ What is the purpose of a Product Design Specification (PDS)?.
Answer: To provide a clear set of testable criteria for assessing the success
of a product.
◍ What does UCD stand for in design?.
Answer: User Centred Design
◍ What does UCD mean?.
Answer: all products designed should be focuses around the end user and the
potential end user should be considered/ involved at all stages of the design
process.
◍ What are Dieter Rams 10 principles of good design?.
Answer: Good design is innovative, makes a product useful, aesthetic,
makes a product understandable, unobtrusive, honest, long lasting, thorough
down to the last detail, environmentally friendly, little design as possible
◍ Why is critical analysis important in product design?.
Answer: It helps in assessing existing products to guide the development of
new designs.
◍ What is the significance of Dieter Ram's 10 principles of good design?.
Answer: They serve as guidelines to ensure products are useful and
functional.
, ◍ What does the term 'fitness for purpose' refer to in product design?.
Answer: The ability of a product to meet its intended use and requirements.
◍ What is a common misconception about good design?.
Answer: That it is solely about aesthetics rather than functionality.
◍ Who is Stuart Pugh and what is his contribution to design?.
Answer: He is a designer known for founding the term 'total design' and
emphasizing the importance of PDS.
◍ What are the 6 R's to consider in product design?.
Answer: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Refuse, and Rethink.
◍ What is the role of ergonomics in product design?.
Answer: To ensure the product interacts well with users and is comfortable
to use.
◍ What does the term 'empathetic design' mean?.
Answer: Designing with an understanding of the user's experiences and
needs.
◍ What is the importance of testing in the design process?.
Answer: To evaluate how well the product meets the specified criteria.
◍ What is meant by 'product life span' in design criteria?.
Answer: The expected duration a product should last before needing
replacement.
◍ How does user involvement enhance the design process?.
Answer: It ensures the product meets their needs and preferences effectively.
◍ What is the significance of aesthetics in product design?.
Answer: Aesthetics relate to the form, shape, and proportion of the product,
affecting user appeal.
◍ What is a product analysis?.
Answer: A critical assessment of a product using predefined criteria to
evaluate its effectiveness.
