| dc.description.abstract | The paper is a research project report based on a study on product design specification for
artisanal aluminium cookware. The study makes emphasis on a case study of foundry and
fabrication workshops along the Kamukunji metal work cluster along Landhies road in
Nairobi County. Product design specification PDS is one of the core activities in ‘total
design’, a method developed by Stuart Pugh to integrate the voice of a consumer in product
design decisions. Product design specification is one of the methods employed in tracking
the growth of a product using various constraining parameters. The constraining factors
include design, product geometry, ergonomics, aesthetics, safety, product environment and
product performance issues. The objectives of the study is based on the rational that
production of aluminium cookware is done using rudimentary methods that lack controls
to ensure quality product designs. Literature for the study was gathered through document
analysis from published online journals and books. The sample size for the study was
determined as 40 respondents from a target population of 300 registered informal workshop
artisans. The instruments that were used in data collection include questionnaire survey,
observational forms and checklists and photography. Reconnaissance study was conducted
and the preliminary observations determined the structure of questionnaires to be administered. The study was exploratory sequential design that commenced with
quantitative analysis expounded by a qualitative follow-up .Qualitative analysis was
conducted by using themes derived from the research questions. Results from demographic
data on gender distribution, skills acquisition and artisan specialization was presented on a
table and analyzed graphically. The study established that product design specification is
to a large extent not consciously considered in production of cookware. Design knowledge
is mainly recorded in templates and prototypes and is not found in a written project design.
This phenomenon compounded by level of artisan’s skill reduces the chances of capturing
novel ideas that may have commercial significance thus preventing acquisition of patents.
The study recommends an adaptation of environmentally responsible manufacturing to
enable cookware products to meet international manufacturing standards.
Key | en_US |
