Product Design

The "New Maclaren Finger Slicer" is a headline I think that is totally unfair.


I am a Product Designer by trade so have a particular interest in how designs are sometimes taken for granted. I havent worked directly for Maclaren, but my portfolio of consumer products involves dealing with dirt removal & pond life (although, enough about the staff.). I have designed vacuum cleaners, pond pumps, filters for some of the market leading companies like Dyson, Electrolux & Hozelock so in terms of "trying to make things right", I can speak with experience.


I know first hand the processes involved in innovation, R&D, Product Development and Launch, and know  that you try, try & try again to anticipate what could go wrong with something. How someone can use it wrongly (by accident or on purpose), or how they "think" it should work, or "thats how it always worked". For any designer  worth his salt, the term DFMEA, does not mean a bad spelling of FAMED, but a well established exercise in identifying, and monitoring potential faults.
The process is a disciplined approach to listing, scoring and actioning every possible failure mode that could be applied to a design. Obviously, the quality of output in terms of problems, is only as high as the quality of suggestions. Various methods exist, but the purpose is the same.


It is with this in mind, that if it could be shown that the relevant alleged fault of the Maclaren Buggy injuring tiny fingers was predicted but discarded as irrelevant then, maybe,  that could add weight to the arguements of the parents who are trying to sue the company. They could possibly prove that it was an accident that could have been avoided.


Generally, companies who strive to develop new product have a disciplined approach to documenting information. This is as a learning tool for the next "new" gadget, or product.


In their defence though, nothing irritates a designer more than the "well its obvious!" comment. Sometimes designs are taken for granted, and people do not realise the journey involved in the end result. "Its gonna work, and feel right in the process" are a "given" in some people eyes, so it doesnt dazzle them when it does.


There is no excuse, though, for any company who ignores feedback. It is this very information, that helps shape and style the next one.


Maclaren may have dismissed customers comments, they may not have, and with the media interest gathering, their response I believe, is going to have a direct correlation on sales and reputation.