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Successful products start with a good design that meets the needs and wants of customers. When designing a product, a business will usually consider three factors:

• function – what the product should do and how well it does it, eg a washing machine should wash clothes
• cost – how cost-effective the product will be to manufacture, eg the product should be made and sold profitably
• aesthetics – how the product appeals to consumers, eg how the product looks, feels or smells

The design mix

These design factors - function, cost and aesthetics - are mixed together in different ways in order to appeal to different target markets. The design mix can be illustrated using a triangle to represent the three factors.

For example, a car manufacturer may produce various models, with each model prioritising different factors:

• A high-end sports car might focus more on the aesthetics, eg how it looks and what it is like to drive. The car may be costly to manufacture, but some customers will be willing to pay a high price for this kind of car.
• A car designed for families may prioritise function, eg safety features, size, and making the car environmentally friendly.
• A small car might prioritise cost, eg being competitively priced and economical to run.