Requirement #1: Research and Reading

Note

What is a product? Until recently, the term was used only in relation to something material and often found in a retail store. Nowadays, it is coming to mean digital products as well. Apps and websites are modern products. When it comes to building great products, design is the most important “feature.” We’ve moved into the stage where product design dominates — it’s what sets companies apart and gives a real edge over competitors. Whether you’re a designer, developer, product manager, program manager, marketing manager or project manager, it’s essential to understand (and have a reference guide to) the product development process in order to create your best work (This note is inspired by this article).

\(\boxed{\mathbb{REQ}\Large \rightsquigarrow}\) Choose A or B or C and complete ALL the requirements.

  1. Watch not less than three hours total of shows or documentaries that involve the creation of new products. This can include entrepreneurship, innovation, new technology, and/or engineering design. Then do the following:

    1. Make a list of at least five questions or ideas from the shows you watched.

    2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

  2. Read not less than three hours total about product design. Then do the following:

    1. Make a list of at least five questions or ideas from the articles you read.

    2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

  3. Do a combination of reading and watching, not less than three hours total. Then do the following:

    1. Make a list of at least five questions or ideas from the articles you read or the shows you watched.

    2. Discuss two of the questions or ideas with your counselor.

    Tip

    Some examples include - but are not limited to - shows found on PBS (“NOVA”), Discovery Channel, Science Channel, National Geographic Channel, TED Talks (online videos), and the History Channel. You may choose to watch a live performance or movie at a planetarium or science museum instead of watching a media production. You may watch online productions with your counselor’s approval and under your parent’s or guardian’s supervision.

Note

Here are some suggestions of documents to watch to learn more about Design.

#1: Indoor Skydiving: Human Flight, No Plane Required:7 steps to create a new product

#2: Signs that you have a good idea

#3: The First Step Every Inventor Should Take

#4: How to come up with a good idea

#5 The History of Thomas Edison - a Short Story

#6: Thomas Edison: Father Of Invention

Attention

Once you have completed this requirement, make sure you document it in your worksheet!