For the sake of this case study, we will assume that all answers, to the questions posed in the previous post, are positive and thus give us the green light to continue on.

Now that we know there is a market for the proposed product and that nothing currently available for purchase either compares to our idea or fully satisfies the needs of our target market, it is time to analyze the original design.

The data collected, in the market research phase, also gave us more insight about the market in general, our competitors, and most importantly, our target market. We must now use this information to improve our product design in order to increase usability and thus marketability. This point further illustrates the interdependence of product design and marketing. We must always keep both fields in mind throughout the development process in order to ensure success on the store shelves and customer satisfaction.

Let’s start off with the following:

1. What is lacking in the existing jewelry boxes, and organizers, currently on the market?

-Is there anything that we can learn from these existing designs in order to give our concept a competitive edge?

2. On average, how much jewelry does the targeted end user need to store/ keep organized?

-Thus how many individual items should this product be meant to contain?

*This question will be hard to answer precisely, but we can approximate by researching the general jewelry shopping habits of our target market, as well as, their retention habits (how long do they keep items before giving them away or throwing them out); If possible, of course.

3. What are the general measurements of the items mentioned in question 2?

-In other words, what minimum dimensions must the proposed jewelry organizer respect? Can all the compartments be the same size or should there be different sizes?

-Does the majority of the targeted end user store smaller items, like stud earrings, or larger items, like bracelets and necklaces?

*As in the case of #2, this question will also be hard to answer precisely, but we can approximate by researching the jewelry preferences and shopping habits of our target market via market studies or by interviewing various jewelry stores that service our target market.

Please note that  the term “end user” is used instead of “consumer” because these two labels are not always one and the same; “end user” being the person who uses the product and “consumer” being the person who purchased it. We will explore this topic further in future posts.

Once we have answers to the above questions, we will be able to better analyze our current design and then start the redesign process.

Stay tuned….