How can you identify consumer needs and preferences when designing a product?

Understanding who the consumer is - what their wants, needs, cares and lives are about is a starting point. It's good to go wide and get a strong picture about who the persona, the consumer is behind an issue that you need to be resolved. In some ways, that first process can be fairly circular. What is the problem? Who is the person with the problem? Trying to figure out who the person is with the problem is somewhat like trying to become the character in a movie. What are his/her motivations? What does he/she want in life? When you go wide, it helps you to see things that you might not have observed by just a narrow focus.

In a project focused on modernizing kitchen storage, extensive user interviews and surveys were conducted. Beyond asking direct questions, observational studies were employed to understand user behaviors in their kitchen environments. Analyzing existing products and user reviews provided nuanced insights into pain points and unmet needs. This holistic research approach unveiled a desire for multifunctional storage solutions that blend seamlessly with diverse kitchen aesthetics. This user-driven research not only informed the design process but also set the foundation for creating kitchen cabinets that align with consumer preferences.

When identifying consumer needs and preferences in product design, consider market trends, cultural factors, accessibility, sustainability, aesthetics, feedback loops, legal requirements, materials, scalability, brand consistency, and a user-centered approach. Connect the dots between these factors and user research to create a holistic design that resonates with users and stands out in the market.

The easy way for me to get what customer really needs especially in automotive business, I need change my point of view as product user or customer itself. The first stage of my activities are : 1. Find what become customer main problem, and make hipotesis statement based on analysis. 2. Determine what customer "wants" and customer "needs". Focusing and prioritize to "needs". 3. Being communicative, interview your customer and product user, do some research based on their behaviour, environtment, and economical background See trough customer point of view, usually help me to get more detail of the real problem in customer.

one thing that is worth thinking about is even during the design of more B2B products or things that don't have a clear end user e.g a manufacturing robot. There are still user incites to be gained to deliver a more innovative product. these incites can come for the people that manufacture, maintain and install these products. It is highly important to gain a wide range of user inputs as the user might not be who you think it is...

In a project aimed at innovating cabinet hardware, diverse data sets were collected from user surveys and online reviews to sales trends. Quantitative data, such as feature preferences and usage patterns, was rigorously analyzed using statistical methods. Qualitative insights from surveys and reviews were subjected to thematic analysis. This dual approach allowed for a comprehensive understanding of user needs and preferences. Patterns emerged, indicating a growing demand for user-friendly, space-efficient designs. This data-informed analysis not only shaped the design direction but also ensured that the final kitchen cabinet product was a synthesis of functional excellence and alignment with consumer desires.

There are a broad range of research methods for identifying user needs. While many formal methods are pivotal considerations for the discovery phase of a project, there is always an inherent barrier created in conducting research. Research and observation creates a form of formal barrier which can create tension, and increase the likelihood of biases creeping into the results. Using knowledgeable third party researchers can create a buffer for a participant to feel comfortable, as they are not afraid of offending or upsetting anyone's feelings. Alternatively creating an environment where negative statements are made to feel welcome to facilitate free flowing and honest discussion.

In a project centered on personalized storage solutions, I initiated brainstorming sessions with cross-disciplinary teams, encouraging diverse perspectives. Collaborative workshops, including potential users, facilitated the co-creation of ideas. Leveraging design thinking methodologies, we employed ideation techniques like mind mapping and rapid prototyping. Additionally, trend analysis in interior design and lifestyle informed the ideation process. This amalgamation of insights ensured a rich pool of concepts aligning with both emerging trends and latent consumer needs. The iterative nature of idea generation allowed for continuous refinement, resulting in designs that met functional requirements and resonated deeply with user preferences

Observation and interviews of active consumers. Be a sponge. Numbers and opinions are less valuable than simply listening and watching. It only takes a small group to provide a clear understanding of needs.

Gathering user data regarding their needs and preferences through the use of data scraping, data science, data analytics, regional data, cultural consciousness through historical facts and figures and utilizing some statistical analysis while summarizing the users needs, choices in a particular niche. We know the designers study design principles and practice design based cases, many universities don't include data science and statistics sciences in the degree program of any design discipline, so the designers lack this aspect while in the academics. Filling this gap through smart apps and short courses especially LinkedIn courses can fulfill and complete the circle for designing a better ... I would say the best product for society.

* Conduct comprehensive market research to understand current trends, consumer behaviors, and emerging needs in kitchen design. * Engage directly with potential users through surveys, interviews, and feedback sessions. Understand their pain points, preferences, and aspirations related to kitchen cabinets. * Analyze competitors' products and customer reviews. Identify gaps or areas for improvement that can be addressed in your design. * Create detailed user personas representing your target audience. Consider factors like age, lifestyle, and specific requirements to tailor your design accordingly. * Develop prototypes and conduct usability tests. Gather insights from real user interactions to refine the design based on practical usage.