---
title: "Design briefs and better products"
description: "Investigate and analyse existing products: work out who a product is for, what it does well and badly, how it works and what it is made from; use the analysis to write a design brief and criteria for "
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/design-briefs-and-better-products-mt_QeNClHE0EG
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/design-briefs-and-better-products-mt_QeNClHE0EG.md
retrieved: 2026-11-12
---

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# Design briefs and better products

Investigate and analyse existing products: work out who a product is for, what it does well and badly, how it works and what it is made from; use the analysis to write a design brief and criteria for a better version

Subject: Design & Technology · Area: Designing & Making · Ages 8 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/design-briefs-and-better-products-mt_QeNClHE0EG

## Ready when they can

- Take a product (e.g. a lunchbox or a torch) and explain who it is for, how it works and what it is made from
- Point out strengths and weaknesses of a product against its purpose (e.g. 'the zip is fiddly for small hands')
- Turn findings into a brief and criteria for an improved design (e.g. 'must open one-handed')

## Lesson: From studying a product to a design brief

You know a design needs a user and a job. To investigate an existing product, find out who uses it, how it works and what it is made from.

**Example.** A camper's torch uses a battery to supply electricity to a bulb or LED. Its clear lens lets light through. The case protects the parts inside. Hard plastic alone does not prove drop resistance. An adult can carry out a planned drop test in a safe test area to check whether the case protects the parts.

*(drawing: Use what you observe and test to plan an improvement.)*

**Example.** Judge a product against its user's needs. A lunchbox handle that makes carrying comfortable is a strength. A zip that small hands struggle to open is a weakness. Observations or tests help you explain how a feature helps or hinders the user.

A design brief says who an improved product is for and what problem it should solve. Criteria say what it must meet. For a hard-to-open lunchbox, try 'the child can open it with one hand'. 'Nice' needs a clearer meaning before you can check it. You can investigate appearance by asking intended users a specific question about it.

**Recap.** Investigate a product, weigh its strengths against its weaknesses, then turn what you found into a brief with clear, testable criteria.

*Lesson and assessment material written for this dataset.*

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Designing products](https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/designing-products-mt_fZo-OWjM-T)

## Optional connections

- [Comparing Design Solutions](https://lightmysky.com/learn/science/comparing-design-solutions-mt_nNYo5A-7Bl)

## Opens up

- [Drawing a design so someone else can build it](https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/drawing-a-design-so-someone-else-can-build-it-mt_8ezErqUhZw)
- [Iterative Design and Prototyping](https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/iterative-design-and-prototyping-mt_fYD3KaViOZ)
- [Designing for the People Who Use It](https://lightmysky.com/learn/design-and-technology/designing-for-the-people-who-use-it-mt_QPznzhuBNI)