Graphic and UI/UX Design + Industrial and Manufacturing
Design a product for a specific user
Observe one person's daily difficulty and design, model and test an object that solves it.
- DifficultyIntermediate
- Estimated time2–4 weeks
- Budget₹250–₹500
- ClassClass 10 to college
- TeamSolo or up to 3
- You needHousehold materials
Prerequisites: None
Original · by TechnifyedEngineering DesignProduct DesignLow costWell documentedTwo subjects
Overview
Good products start from a specific person. Watch someone with a real difficulty (an elderly relative opening jars, a student carrying books), then sketch, model in card or clay and test with them.
Why build this?
It teaches the full design process from need to tested prototype, and your user's reaction is the proof.
What you will learn
- How to find a need by observing
- How to generate and select concepts
- How to make quick models
- How to test and iterate with a user
Skills you will use
Safety and ethics
- This project involves people. Explain what you are doing and get their consent (a parent's or teacher's for children), let anyone stop at any time, collect only what you need, and remove names before you share results.
- This project uses a blade or sharp tool. Cut away from your body on a cutting mat, and ask an adult to help younger students.
Materials and tools
- A person to design for
- Sketch paper
- Card, clay, foam or a 3D printer for models
Step-by-step roadmap
Start
You will finish with: sketches, three test models, a final model and a presentation board.
- 1
Prerequisites
Know this first: none. Then collect the 3 items in the materials list.
- 2
Learn
- How to find a need by observing
- How to generate and select concepts
- How to make quick models
- How to test and iterate with a user
- 3
Plan
Sketch the design, list every part with its price and decide how you will know it works.
- 4
Build
- Observe your user for an hour and note three difficulties.
- Choose one and write a design brief.
- Sketch 20 ideas.
- Make rough models of the best three.
- Test them with your user and refine one.
- Make a final appearance model and a presentation board.
- 5
Test
Your user should be able to use the final model without instructions.
- 6
Document
Photograph each build stage, keep the circuit or drawing, and note what failed and how you fixed it. Report structure
- 7
Present
Demonstrate it working first, then explain how it works and what you would improve. Presentation structure · Viva questions
- 8
Publish
Share a short video, the parts list and the drawing or code so someone else can build it.
Expected outcome
Sketches, three test models, a final model and a presentation board.
Other versions of this project
Beginner version
Redesign an existing object, such as a pencil case, for one stated need.
Advanced version
Produce a working prototype and estimate its manufacturing cost.
Social-impact version
Design for a user with a disability and share the design freely.
Business version
Estimate the cost, the price and who would buy it.
Make this project better
- BasicRedesign an existing object, such as a pencil case, for one stated need.
- This projectDesign a product for a specific user
- AdvancedProduce a working prototype and estimate its manufacturing cost.
Working as a team
Solo or up to 3. Suggested roles:
Report and presentation
Report structure
- Title and aim
- The problem it solves
- How it works (principle)
- Parts list with cost
- Design: drawing, circuit or block diagram
- Build steps
- Testing and results
- Problems faced and fixes
- Limitations
- Future improvements
- References
Presentation structure
- The problem
- The idea
- How it works (one diagram)
- Parts and cost
- The build (photos)
- Live demo or video
- Test results
- What did not work
- Next version
Viva questions
Try answering before you open each one.
What was the need?
State it in one sentence from your observation.
Why make rough models?
To learn quickly and cheaply what does not work.
What changed after testing?
Give one specific change.
What material would the real product use?
Justify your choice.
Resources
Source and attribution
Original
Written by Technifyed. Free to use for your own school or college project; write the report in your own words. Added 1 Oct 2026.
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