The team reviewed designs and market research for a new television remote control. The Industrial Designer explained its basic operation and proposed a compact plastic design, a long-lasting battery, fewer buttons and beeping features for a low battery or a lost remote. The team rejected interchangeable covers because they doubted they would generate enough profit. The User Interface Designer raised the choice between a basic and multifunction remote.

Marketing reported that users found existing remotes ugly and difficult to learn, used only a small proportion of their buttons, and valued easy channel changing, volume and power controls. Younger users showed more interest in features such as an LCD screen and speech recognition, though the team discussed their cost.

The Project Manager then announced requirements: the remote would be for televisions only, target people under 40, use the company’s colour and slogan, and omit teletext. The team chose power, number keys 0–9, channel and volume controls, a menu button and mute. They discussed using four directional buttons for channel, volume and menu navigation, with the menu on an LCD screen so it could work across televisions. The remote’s appearance was deferred to the conceptual-design phase; the team would take a lunch break and then have 30 minutes for individual work.