Chapter 5 - Informing Design Decisions

What five key criteria do designers evaluate new technologies and materials against?

Cost, reliability, longevity, sustainability, and recyclability.

What is a primary risk associated with using new and emerging technologies in product design?

Potential long-term issues may remain unknown even after detailed analysis and testing.

What is planned/built-in obsolescence?

The practice of designing a product to perform its task for only a certain length of time.

From a materials perspective, what is the justification for 'appropriately engineered quality' in planned obsolescence?

It avoids wasting materials and energy by not making a product overly robust for its short, intended lifespan.

In the context of planned obsolescence, why does a disposable razor have a cheap plastic handle?

The material quality is appropriate for its expected lifespan, as the non-replaceable blade will be blunt after a few uses.

Why might a manufacturer avoid continuously upgrading a product?

The chance of new sales reduces as customers will wait for a significant upgrade before buying a new model.

What is the consequence for a product that does not have enough potential for upgrades?

It may not appear to be value for money, and sales may be lost.

How does 'technology push' contribute to planned obsolescence?

Manufacturers avoid making very long-lasting goods because as technology moves on, customers will demand newer versions.

What type of goods are often subject to planned obsolescence due to fashion and trends?

Novelty items governed by market trends, seasons, and fashion, such as Halloween or Christmas items.

How do large companies use planned obsolescence to maintain their market share?

They produce new product ranges regularly to create the latest 'must-have' item, encouraging customers to feel the need to upgrade.

What is the general effect of planned obsolescence on the environment?

It is generally bad for the environment as it creates more waste.

What is the primary negative consequence of under-engineering a product's parts?

The product may fail prematurely, leading to customer dissatisfaction and potential damage to the brand's reputation.

What is the primary negative consequence of over-engineering a product's parts?

It leads to a waste of materials and energy, and increases the manufacturing cost unnecessarily.

From a manufacturer's perspective, what is a key advantage of short product lifetimes?

It generates continuous sales as consumers need to replace products more frequently.

From a consumer's perspective, what is a key disadvantage of short product lifetimes?

It increases the long-term cost of ownership and creates waste.

What is design for maintenance?

The design principle of ensuring a product lasts longer through parts that can be repaired or replaced easily.

Design for maintenance is most easily applied to what types of products?

Low-tech or modular products that do not require a great deal of skill to repair.

What is a key example of a product well-suited to 'design for maintenance'?

A push bike, where parts like pedals and chains can be easily replaced when damaged.

What are the two main reasons home repair of products is becoming increasingly difficult?

The increasing complexity of products and sales strategies that encourage buying new versions.

Why might a manufacturer deliberately use specialist tools for repairs?

To control the repair market, ensuring they profit from organising repairs rather than allowing anyone to offer the service.

What is a service contract?

An arrangement where a customer pays an ongoing charge to have a product repaired or replaced if it breaks.

For a consumer, what is a primary advantage of a service contract?

It provides peace of mind and predictable costs for repairs or replacements.

For a consumer, what is a primary disadvantage of a service contract?

The total cost of the contract may exceed the cost of potential repairs, or the product may never break.

For a manufacturer, what is a primary advantage of offering a service contract?

It creates a continuous revenue stream and helps to retain customer loyalty.

What is design for disassembly?

The concept of designing a product so that when it has reached the end of its life, it can be taken apart for recycling or reusing.

A stool that can be unscrewed to separate its plastic seat and steel legs is an example of what design principle?

Design for disassembly

What is the primary method designers use to find out if a new technology will have an adverse effect on the environment?

By conducting thorough research and a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Why is it increasingly important for companies to demonstrate social and environmental responsibility?

Consumers are more aware of global issues through social media and news, and are more demanding of companies.

A company's impact on society and the environment are known as its social and _____ footprints.

ecological

What two factors in a product's design will determine how reusable or recyclable it is at the end of its life?

The choice of materials and the way those materials are joined or bonded together.

What design characteristic makes a product easier to recycle, saving time and energy?

The ability for it to be easily separated into its component materials.

Why might a product containing a mix of materials end up in a landfill site?

Because if the materials are difficult to separate, it is not cost-effective to reclaim them for recycling.

What is the primary environmental benefit of a product being completely made from recyclable materials?

None of the product would need to go to a landfill site, reducing potential environmental contamination.

What is a key advantage of reusing a product compared to recycling it?

Reusing generally uses less energy and does not degrade the material's quality.

What is the first principle of responsible end-of-life design regarding materials quantity?

Using as few materials as possible.

What principle of responsible end-of-life design relates to joining methods?

Designing products where materials are easy to separate, for example, by minimising the use of permanent bonds or adhesives.

What is the third principle of responsible end-of-life design regarding material choice?

Using materials that are recyclable or biodegradable.

What is environmental design?

Designing products by ensuring minimal impact on the environment.

What is one way designers can practice environmental design to create less waste material?

By making products from renewable materials, such as using paper straws instead of plastic ones.

How can designers consider transport to reduce the environmental impact of a product?

By transporting materials in a more efficient way to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases.

An environmental design principle is to cut down on the use of _____ resources for production and energy.

finite

What is a finite resource?

A resource that can only be used once and is in limited supply, for example, oil.

What is a renewable material?

A material that is inexhaustible and replaceable.

What does ‘recycle’ mean?

To break down and process a material so a new material is produced.

What does ‘reuse’ mean?

To use a product again rather than replacing it with a new one.

What does ‘durable’ mean?

Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing.

What does ‘modular’ mean?

Made of sections that can be moved into different arrangements or replaced individually.

What are the four aspects a designer should research when gathering opinions and facts for a new product?

Successes/shortfalls of similar products, available technology, the size of the market, and the market need.

What are the gases responsible for global warming, such as carbon dioxide and methane, collectively known as?

Greenhouse gases

Identify one way a company can protect its market share by using customer feedback.

By responding to customers quickly or using customers' ideas for new products.

Besides ethical production methods, name two other areas of concern for a socially responsible company.

Sustainably sourcing components/materials, reducing waste, recycling, or considerate end-of-life disposal.

A smartphone that stops receiving software updates and becomes inefficient is an example of obsolescence driven by what factor?

Upgrading and function

What key information does a designer gather by carrying out extensive market research?

A full understanding of the design task and the current marketplace.

What is a major factor, besides product failure, that drives the wasteful consumption of electronic goods like TVs?

Consumers' desire to replace products with newer models.

In the context of 'design for disassembly', why is using screws preferable to using strong adhesives?

Screws allow the product to be easily taken apart, facilitating the separation of materials for recycling or reuse.

The Swedish government's initiative to halve the cost of certain repairs is designed to encourage what consumer behaviour?

A 'make do and mend' culture, where owners repair products instead of replacing them.

What is the intended environmental outcome of government initiatives that reduce the cost of repairs?

Products will last longer and the consumption of raw materials will be reduced.

What is the main purpose of responsible end-of-life design?

To minimise the negative environmental impact of a product after its useful life has ended.