Who will use a product? - KS1

Who are users?

Designers normally design products for other people, or groups of people.

A person who will use a product is called a user.

Designers need to think about what users might want and need.

This will help them to decide things such as size, cost and what materials to use.

Can you find the different items in this image that are for different users?

The purpose of a product is what it ‘needs’ to do.

For example, a toothbrush needs to clean teeth or an egg box needs to hold eggs safely.

However, designers also make choices about what they 'want' a product to be like.

For example, what colour, shape, feel or taste it will have.

Imagine that you have been asked to design a rucksack.

A rucksack is a bag that is carried on your shoulders.

So it 'needs' to be able to open and close and have two straps to wear.

But you might also 'want' it to be bright yellow and a have zip up front pocket.

User	The person or people who will be using the product.
Product	Something that is made to be bought or sold. Food, furniture and clothes are all examples of products.
Purpose	What the product is designed to do. The product needs to do this to be a success.

Take this quiz to find out what you know about users and purposes of designs.