Chapter 3 - People, Culture & Society

What is technology push?

A product development strategy driven by new scientific discoveries or technological changes, often before consumer demand exists.

What is market pull?

A product development strategy driven by consumer demand or needs, often filling a 'gap in the market'.

Smartphones, which utilised existing touchscreen technology to improve the mobile phone market, are an example of what product development strategy?

Technology push

The development of smaller, lighter, and higher-performing cameras in response to customer needs is an example of what product development strategy?

Market pull

Why are products featuring new technologies often expensive when they are first released?

To cover high research and development (R&D) costs and correct issues in early models.

What is up-skilling?

The process where automation leads to a decline in traditional manufacturing skills, requiring workers to be retrained for new technologies.

In a consumer-driven society, what subconsciously influences the public's taste in style and the desire to own the latest products?

The media

How do trend forecasters influence manufacturers in the fashion industry?

They predict future patterns and colours up to two years in advance, which manufacturers can buy to inform their designs.

What is inclusive design?

Design that considers the specific needs of groups like those with physical disabilities or the elderly.

A long shoehorn is an example of a product designed to help which specific user group?

Elderly users who may have mobility issues.

Why must designers consider a range of cultural beliefs when designing for the mass market in diverse countries?

To ensure products are not offensive and meet the needs of different cultures, such as clothing requirements or dietary restrictions.

The need for an employee to learn how to program a welding robot, rather than performing the manual skill of welding, is an example of _____.

up-skilling

What type of product development happens before there is consumer demand for a product?

Technology push

What is the primary motivation for companies to engage in research and development (R&D)?

To produce new and exciting products to keep their market share and gain a competitive advantage.

What are 'cobots'?

Collaborative robots designed to work with humans rather than separately from them, aiming to improve productivity.

What cultural difference affects the design of tables and chairs in Japan compared to the rest of the world?

The traditional Japanese culture is to sit on the floor at mealtimes.

Some cultures, such as those that use Arabic and Hebrew, read from right to left. How does this affect web design?

Layouts for tables, spreadsheets, and other elements may need to flow from right to left.

In Chinese culture, what does the color red often signify?

Wealth, luck, happiness, and celebrations like New Year and weddings.

In contrast to its meaning in China, what does the color red signify in South African culture?

Mourning, and the sacrifice and violence during the country's bid for independence.

What substance, derived from animal fat, caused controversy when it was found in the new polymer £5 note?

Tallow

Which groups were particularly upset by the inclusion of tallow in the new £5 note?

Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, vegetarians, and vegans.

What technologies have enabled the creation of more comfortable, customized sockets for prostheses?

Body scanners and 3D printing technology.

Audible beeps and bright colours at pedestrian crossings are inclusive design features aimed at helping which group of people?

The partially sighted.

The rapid increase of international trade agreements and the internet has helped create a _______ ____________.

global marketplace

What are two main effects of a global marketplace for the consumer?

A huge increase in choice and lower prices due to wider competition.

What are ‘early adopters’?

Consumers who purchase new technologies as soon as they are released.

The smartphone is a good example of market pull because it combined what existing technologies into one device?

A phone, pager, diary, camera, MP3 player, and SatNav.

What new material, known for being flexible, strong, and conductive, represents a 'technology push' for future smartphones?

Graphene

What is the definition of culture in the context of design?

An amalgamation of the ideas, beliefs, customs, and social behaviours of a society or group of people.

What was the ground-breaking design feature of the Apple iMac G3 in 1998 that started a trend?

It had a transparent casing in a range of contemporary colours, showing the inner workings.

What is one of the easiest mistakes a company can make when launching a product globally?

Using a brand name that means something offensive or inappropriate in a different country.

List one criterion for a product to be considered part of 'responsible design'.

Being produced by carbon neutral means, or made from renewable/recycled materials, or reducing emissions.

What are the four main production methods designers use to cater to the majority of the population?

One size fits all, a range of sizes, adjustability, and adaptability.

____ _____ ____ ___, a range of sizes, adjustability, and adaptability.

Door frames are an example of a 'one size fits all' design that is being reconsidered for what reason?

An increasing number of the population is becoming taller than the traditional door frame height.

What sportswear manufacturer had to withdraw trainers designed for the UAE's 40th National Day?

Puma

Why did the Puma trainers based on the UAE flag cause an outcry among Emiratis?

Footwear is considered dirty, so representing the national flag on a shoe was seen as an insult.

What is the mass market?

The market for goods that are produced in large numbers.

How can clothes designers incorporate designs into their collections that respect other cultures?

By including options that allow customers to dress more modestly.

How have changes in technology and automation affected the need for traditional manufacturing skills?

They have caused a decline in the need for traditional skills.

The Italian mineral water brand 'Traficante' had to be renamed for the Portuguese market because its name meant what in Portuguese?

Drug dealer

What properties of spider silk make it a target for development in clothing technology?

Greater tensile strength than steel, lightweight, high elasticity

How has digital photography changed job roles compared to traditional film photography?

It has significantly altered how photos are viewed and processed, affecting jobs related to film development and printing.

What modern material is frequently used at the cutting edge of inclusive design, for example in equipment for Paralympians?

Carbon fibre

What market force puts pressure on companies to constantly improve their products to maintain brand loyalty and attract new customers?

Market pull

The Philips lighting company dedicated over 20 years of research to develop what technology, establishing them as a market leader?

LED bulb technology

What is a potential negative consequence for the Bank of England of using tallow in its polymer notes?

Upsetting large communities and having establishments refuse to accept the notes as payment.

Besides clothing, what is another area where design must consider the requirements of different religious groups?

Grooming requirements or rules against blending certain materials.

What challenge does a diverse mix of cultures, like in large UK cities, present for manufacturers selling a product?

It can be challenging as many different factors, needs, and beliefs need to be considered.

What is electroluminescence?

The process where an electric current passing through a material creates a bond between charges to emit light, as seen in LEDs.

In standard incandescent light bulbs, what percentage of emitted energy is wasted as heat?

Approximately 98%

The development of what two technologies helped enable the creation of the modern smartphone?

Improved battery technology and the miniaturisation of electronic components.

When a company is the first to introduce a new, innovative product to the market, it is known as being '_____ __ _______'.

first to market

What design considerations are important when creating products for users with physical disabilities?

Understanding the nature of the disability, such as visual impairments, mobility restrictions, or motor control.

The French cheese brand 'Kiri' was renamed 'Kibi' for the Iranian market because 'kiri' is used to describe what in Iran?

Something rotten.

Besides being owned by companies, where does research and development (R&D) that leads to technology push often take place?

In science and industry more broadly.

How can textile technology utilise new advancements to create innovative looks?

By using electrically-conductive materials or 3D printing technology.

What is a key benefit of using lightweight and flexible materials in modern prostheses?

They can improve shock absorbency and freedom of movement.

When designing for elderly users, what are three common difficulties the user group may experience?

Mobility issues, visual impairment, and hearing loss.

What is a 'market competitor'?

Another producer who sells similar products.

The _________ of today needs to be _____ to adapt to new jobs that may not exist yet, driven by ____________ change.

workforce, flexible, technological

Why is market testing so important before a full product launch?

To ensure the product is fit for purpose and does not offend any potential users or communities.

What is a negative societal impact of purchasing a petrol or diesel car over an electric one?

It creates more greenhouse gases and pollution.

Car seats that can be moved to fit different drivers are an example of which design approach for inclusivity?

Adjustability

A children's booster seat that can be added to a standard car seat is an example of which design approach for inclusivity?

Adaptability

Why is the world's population becoming increasingly elderly?

Advances in medicine are leading to people living longer.

What is the primary objective of companies developing new technologies?

To save money, improve products, develop new materials, and become more efficient.

What does it mean to design for a 'mass market'?

Designing goods that are produced in large numbers for a broad range of consumers.

What is a key difference between how most industrial robots and 'cobots' work in relation to humans?

Most industrial robots work separately from humans, while cobots are designed to work with them.

The desire to own the latest smartphone or fashionable trainers has become part of our _____ in a consumer-driven society.

culture

What does a designer need to understand to ensure user needs are met when creating products for people with physical disabilities?

The nature of the specific physical disability (e.g., visual impairment, mobility restrictions).

How can a company gain a key advantage over its competitors in the market?

By being the first to market with a new product or technology.

The process of using automatic equipment in production is known as _____.

automation

What are 'traditional skills' in the context of manufacturing?

Manufacturing techniques that were used before the widespread adoption of automation.

What is a manufacturer?

A person or company that makes something from raw materials or component parts.

To predict or estimate a future event or trend, such as in fashion, is to _____ it.

forecast

Which one of the following is a feature of design in society?

Focus on people

Which term can mean the latest trends in clothing or decoration?

Fashion

‘Technology push’ describes when products are developed

due to improvements in new materials.