Microgeneration has gained growing coverage from the media and the government in the last ten years. There has been extensive research into the energy output and efficiency of microgeneration devices but there is yet to be a source of knowledge that explores the wider effect they have on consumers and the community. The primary research study aims to explore how the microgeneration devices affect their owners and neighbours in relation to sustainable behaviours and attitudes. The primary research answers the following questions: Does microgeneration have an effect on the habits, routines and...

There are many research reports regarding packaging and its guidelines of design and development being well designed to maximise consumer interest, but premium and mass brands with their split in the market is not a well explored subject matter. This book examines packaging techniques and methods, moreover on psychological reasoning behind user and consumer decisions. It also uncovered strong links to standard pack design within both industries being a foundation for brands to build upon with special decorations and finishes to customise and dictate what user market the product is aimed at.

The aim of this research was to establish how brands can create an emotional relationship with users through the design of their products. Investigations into existing knowledge on brand, emotional design, and branding techniques employed by designers were conducted in the literature review. Further empirical investigations were undertaken to build on the findings presented in the literature. These findings however were with respect to objects in general, with further research required to investigate how branding could affect these findings. Current methods used by working product designers...

The definition of packaging is as follows: "Packaging is the science, art and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. Packaging also refers to the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages and all the development and manufacturing processes that are required to create the packaging. In order to develop consistent successful packaging within the competitive and fast moving food and cosmetics market, premium brands must liaise with consumers in order to maintain an optimised brand design for their products.

Design strategy allows many companies to develop a plan for what they need to make and do, affecting both their immediate and long-term prospects. In this study, a specific approach has been taken to understand and analyse the role that it plays in the garden power tool market. The study focused on design and marketing of garden power tools. Findings provided the foundations for the development of a generic design strategy framework appropriate to the garden power tool market.

Toys and play occupy a large portion of a child's lifetime, providing a basis for a magnitude of skills and developmental stages. They can provide solitary amusement or help to facilitate a game with others. Not only are toys considered to be fun, but they can also help a child to learn new skills and progress through their younger years thus labelling them as educational.The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of toys and play on children under the age of 7. It was important to not only use secondary research in the form of books and web journals but to also obtain information...

Manufacturing industry is continuously looking for innovative means of improving their operations to meet the ever growing consumer demand, and achieve this at the lowest possible cost. This investigation explores the role that automated design and products have had in expanding the horizons for such companies. The discussions and conclusions drawn from this investigation represent the predictions for future involvement and development of automation. This investigation has used research methods such as questionnaires and interviews to collect data which has been analysed using such tools as...

From new research and increased public awareness into the affects of lighting in the workplace, an investigation was undertaken to discover whether Photobiologists or Light Design Engineers were correct in their perception of necessary light for the healthfulness of office workers. Results from objective and subjective investigations proved inconclusive as they showed that elements of thinking from both parties had some truth. This implied that, at present, there is no one method that can be used to gauge the complete healthfulness of lighting, and so a compromise of both objective and...

The relationship between sport and technology is nothing new. In recent years innovation and technology has advanced rapidly, increasing the questions regarding the effects, it is having within competitive sport: Are the outcomes being dictated by equipment. Is the effect on sport positive or negative? should such technology be prohibited and when? An investigation into the effect technology applications (within equipment) is having on sport using swimming as an example, due to controversy surrounding technology use over the last decade.

This book will identify how the development of modern technology has had an effect on sports. Sport is part of a multi faceted society which constantly evolves. It is only natural therefore that sports will need to develop in order to be able to keep up with other aspects of society. The authors look for answears to the question: Why do we need to develop sports technology? They look at sports on an elite level, but also consider how any changes might have affected the recreational athlete.