What is the main purpose of market research in product design?

The main purpose of market research in product design is to gather data about consumer needs and market trends. This crucial step involves understanding what potential customers desire, their preferences, and the overall market landscape. By collecting insights from target audiences and analyzing current market conditions, designers and companies can make informed decisions about product features, aesthetics, and functionalities that align with consumer expectations.

Effective market research enables designers to identify gaps in the market, evaluate the viability of their concepts, and tailor their products to better meet consumer demands. This foundational knowledge is essential before moving into stages like prototyping or final production, ensuring that the end product resonates with its intended market. The other options focus on subsequent steps in the product development process, such as testing prototypes, analyzing competitors, or developing marketing strategies, which, while important, do not encapsulate the primary objective of market research itself.