EVALUATION CRITERIA
Evaluation Criteria
Sustainable material
Waterproofing agent
Design Functionality
Suitability for consumers
Does the product visually meet the needs of
consumers?
JUSTIFICATION WAYS TO ACHIEVE THIS CHECKING METHOD ON FINISHED PRODUCT
Justification (why it is important to the design Actions to achieve in the product design process How to check if achieved, and to what degree, on
situation, etc.) (e.g. research, measure, trial, test, practise)
Sustainability
As stated in the design brief ‘ Sustainability must be
taken into account in the redesign of the Research was used to identify the most suitable
commercial product’. This is essential in the design materials for my prototype. Oragnic cotton uses
of any textile product as the industry is known to be 71% less water and 62% less energy to produce
one of the world’s worst polluters. To make my than conventional cotton. Although both forms of
redesign more sustainable I have used a mix of cotton have been used 50% is organic. Although
organic cotton and conventional cotton in conventional cotton does use more resources to
comparison to polyester and PVC which were used produce it is still biodegradable and thus having
in the design of the spinifex rug. The benefit of using minimal impact on the environment when disposed
a natural fibre means that the fabric is of.
biodegradable and can be composted instead of
being placed in landfill.
Sustainability & Human Centered Design
Picnic rugs are used on a variety of different To ensure the design remains sustainably and
surfaces. It is important that the rug has a form of ethically produced the product a natural
waterproofing agent to ensure consumers do not waterproofing agent should be used. Otter Wax is
get wet when using the product. a humanely sourced Wax produced from bees and
lanolin. The Wax is said to meet the highest industry
standards and can be used for a range of different
products.
Human Centered Design
The innovative implementation of making the Testing and the production of prototypes was used
design multifunctional allows consumers to use one to ensure the rug could be made multifunctional.
product when going on a picnic or play date, The testing allowed me to generate rug design that
instead of two or more. used the binding and gathering to create a bag.
Purpose, Function and Context
The prototype has been manufactured as a scaled A prototype of the actual size was made in the
version, however the final product should development of the design to ensure that the
comfortably accommodate the seating of 4 adults. gathering technique would work on a larger scaled
It is important to have a large se item. Although a large bag was created the design
70467ating area as picnics and play dates involve was still functional and suitable for families who
many individuals. wanted to use the rug as a multifunctional item.
Visual, Aesthetic and Tactile Factors
Research was used to see what colours were most
The aesthetical features of the rug design must be appealing to families with young children. I found
suitable for both genders as the rug has been that most adults would buy shades of green and
designed to be used by young families. yellow if they had children of both genders. I
decided on the aqua green and polka dot print
and I believe these fabrics were gender neutral as
well as being visually appealing.
finished product
As stated previously both cotton and organic
cotton were used in the manufacturing of the
design. I believe this choice will be beneficial to the
environment as when the consumer can no longer
use the product it will be placed in the compost bin
instead of going into landfill.
The wax was not applied to the prototype due to
costing factors. However, A natural water-proofing
agent will have considerably less impact on the
environment in comparison to a chemical-based
agent. This is also beneficial for each individual
using the rug as they will not be exposed to toxic
chemicals.
The design can successfully be transformed from a
rug into a bag. This feature benefits consumers as
they can carry all necessary items in one product.
This feature can be checked by pulling the handle
at each side of the rug. This will begin the gathering
process.
As the product has been made to a scaled size it
can only fit 2 individuals comfortably, but by
expanding the diameter to 150cm the rug will
comfortably fit 4 individuals.
I believe the colour and print choices are visually
appealing as the aqua green complements the
polka dot print and creates a cohesive design. The
use of colour and print is also extremely suitable for
a gender-neutral design.
 EVALUATING THE DESIGN, PLANNING AND PRODUCTION PROCESSES

Design activities  Sketching and prototyping were the main two methods used in the development of my redesign. These two methods allowed me to analyse various aspects and
considered different options to ensure the design is of value to consumers.
 To make the design more interesting I could have used IDEO design cards to challenge my ideas and generate a range of different solutions. By generating a
range of different solutions I would have had more of an opportunity to further consider all design features.

Planning activities
Production activities
 The process of redesigning was slow at the beginning as it was difficult to find a product that could be innovatively modified.
 It would have been beneficially if I had planned my whole design process at the beginning of the unit as towards the end I felt as though I was rushed for timing.
It took me three weeks to complete the prototype and if I had of created a design plan I believe I could have been finished earlier.
 Once selecting a picnic rug to redesign, is was quite easy to design an innovative and new product. I developed my design over a week and the following week
I began constructing prototypes.
 I created two prototypes, one that was a scaled version and one that was the actual size. By creating the two prototypes I was able to identify what elements of
the design worked and what elements needed reconsidering.
 When constructing my final item I found it rather easy as I had already constructed two prototypes. The only difficulties that I faced were inserting the eyelets and
threading the rope through the eyelets, these steps were time consuming and fiddley meaning that more time should have been allocated to this part of the
design and manufacture process.
 As I had created to prototypes before manufacturing my final product, there were very few modifications made. The main modification was the type of rope
used. I had selected to use a thick, durable rope that would be used as the bag handles, however when trying to thread the rope through the eyelets the rope
was too thick. I ended up using a thinner rope that was not as durable, this is an issue as the rope can stretch when being used as a bag.
 All of my work was completed in a safe working environment and I took care when manufacturing to ensure the product was completed to industry standards
and I did not injure myself during the process.
 My time management skills could have been better as I completed my prototype on the 24/5 and my portfolio on the 25/5. However all areas of work were
completed to a high standard and I am pleased with how my product and portfolio turned out.
 The design need, brief and constraints acted as a reference point when designing and manufacturing my product. These quality measures allowed me to ensure
that my design met each of the necessary requirements.
 Overall, I was able to independently complete my redesign product with only limited assistance required. I believe the skills I have learnt in previous units assisted
me as I had already learnt various elements that were used in the manufacture of my design, such as bias binding

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT

Aesthetics Overall the visual design is cohesive and all colours and patterns complement one another. I believe the aesthetics of the design could be improved by
adding a greater range of colour options. This would allow consumers to have a choice in what they are buying and get the specific colour palette they are
after.
Line has been used to break up different sections of the design which gives the overall rug structure. A visual texture has also been created with the use of the
polka dot print, adding depth and interest to the design.
Functional aspects By making the design multifunctional it has allowed the consumer to use the products in numerous ways. The gathering of the rug forms a bag which can store
and carry items. However one problem with this design decision is that the carrying mechanism is very long and unpracticable. Therefore the in order to
improve the design an adjustable knotting method could be implemented to ensure the handles are not overly long.

Suitability of materials Duck weave cotton was used in the design of the prototype. This fabric is a heavy weight cotton and was difficult at times to manipulate and gather.
Therefore if the product was to be designed again a heavy weight Linen would be used as this fabric is softer and easier to gather.

Quality The design has been manufactured using a duck weave and plain weave cotton. The duck weave was chosen due to its extremely durable and highly
abrasion resistant properties, The material is suitable for a picnic rug as its strength will prevent any tears and rips when used on different surfaces. The design
will be difficult to repair as it has been enclosed with a binding but it is 100% decomposable, thus having minimal effect on the environment when disposed of.
The quality cold be improved by using the Otter Wax water proofing agent as it will provide another protective layer to the rug.

Sustainability Sustainability has been incorporated into the design through the use of materials. Cotton and organic cotton are biodegradable fabrics that have minimal
impact on the environment. Along with these materials, research about Otter Wax a humanely sourced water-proofing agent was undertaken. The otter wax is
melted and applied to the fabric using a brush or lint free cotton cloth, the wax provides a protective layer to the fabric, which prevents any water or other
substances absorbing into the fabric. This is an essential element for a picnic rug as they can be used in various areas that may be damp. The otter wax is a
natural alternative to products such as scotch guard which are full of chemicals.