IB DP Design Technology – Comprehensive Gloss-Card Set

80 question-and-answer flashcards covering key terms and concepts from all 10 DP Design Technology topics to aid comprehensive exam review.

What is meant by “adjustability” in human-factor design?

The ability of a product to be changed in size so it suits a wider range of user percentiles.

In ergonomics, what does the term “anthropometrics” refer to?

The measurement of human body size, strength and physical capacity used to inform design.

What is the key difference between dynamic data and static data?

Dynamic data are measurements taken while the body is moving; static data are taken while the body is still.

Define “ergonomics.”

The application of scientific information about humans to design products, systems and environments that fit them.

What does the ‘percentile range’ tell a designer?

The proportion of a population whose body dimension is at or below a given value (e.g. 50th percentile = average).

Why is ‘clearance’ important in product or workspace design?

It is the physical space left between two objects to prevent collision or restriction of movement.

What are workplace environmental factors?

Management, physical environment, equipment design, job nature, social/psychological factors and worker attributes that can affect performance and safety.

What does a ‘circular economy’ aim to achieve?

Keep resources in use as long as possible, extract maximum value, and recover/regenerate materials at end of life.

Define “clean technology.”

Products, services or processes that reduce waste and use minimal non-renewable resources.

How does ‘cradle to cradle’ differ from ‘cradle to grave’ thinking?

Cradle to cradle designs for materials to become inputs for new products; cradle to grave only minimises impact from manufacture to disposal.

What is ‘embodied energy’?

The total energy required to produce a product, including extraction, processing and transport of materials.

What is a Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA)?

Assessment of environmental impacts across pre-production, production, distribution, use and disposal stages.

Give one example of a product recovery strategy.

Disassembling products to separate and reclaim components or raw materials for reuse, remanufacture or recycling.

What is meant by ‘waste-mitigation strategies’?

Methods used to reduce waste generated during production, use and disposal of products.

What is an “aesthetic model” in design modelling?

A physical or digital model made to look and feel like the final product but with limited or no function.

Explain ‘bottom-up modelling’ in CAD.

Each part is modelled independently before being brought together for the first time in the assembly environment.

What design question is answered by Finite Element Analysis (FEA)?

How stresses, deflections or other physical factors will behave within a product under load.

In prototyping, what does ‘fidelity’ measure?

How closely a prototype matches the appearance and behaviour of the final product.

Describe Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM).

An additive-manufacturing process that deposits melted material layer by layer to build a 3-D object.

What is a ‘mock-up’ used for?

A scale or full-size representation of a product used to gather user feedback on form and ergonomics.

Define ‘virtual prototyping.’

Photorealistic, interactive CAD models that simulate how a product will look and operate without physical fabrication.

What purpose do ‘working drawings’ serve?

They guide production by providing precise orthographic, section, part and assembly views with dimensions.

Differentiate additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques.

Additive builds objects by adding material (e.g. 3-D printing); subtractive removes material from a block (e.g. milling).

What is an alloy?

A mixture containing at least one metal, combined with other metals or non-metals to enhance properties.

Describe ‘assembly-line production.’

Volume production where a product moves on a conveyor past stations where components are added progressively.

What does CNC stand for and what is its key feature?

Computer Numerical Control; machines are operated via programmed ‘G codes’ for precise automated manufacturing.

What is a composite material?

A material made from two or more constituents with different properties to create superior combined characteristics.

Define ‘ductility.’

The ability of a material to be drawn or stretched into wire without breaking.

Why is timber ‘seasoned’?

To reduce moisture content, improving stability and resistance to warping or fungal attack.

Contrast thermoplastics with thermosetting plastics.

Thermoplastics can be reheated and reshaped repeatedly; thermosets cure permanently and cannot be remoulded.

What are Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs)?

Metals that return to a pre-set shape when heated after being deformed.

What does Young’s Modulus measure?

A material’s stiffness, calculated as stress divided by strain in the elastic region.

What is an ‘act of insight’ in innovation strategy?

A sudden ‘eureka’ moment where a solution appears after pondering a problem.

Explain the difference between ‘market pull’ and ‘technology push.’

Market pull responds to consumer demand; technology push stems from scientific advances seeking applications.

What makes an innovation ‘disruptive’?

It challenges or overturns existing products or business models, forcing incumbents to adapt or fail.

Define ‘intellectual property (IP).’

Legally protected intangible creations of the mind such as inventions, designs and trademarks.

List the adopter categories in diffusion of innovation.

Innovators, Early Adopters, Early Majority, Late Majority, Laggards.

What is ‘planned obsolescence’?

Designing products to become outdated or non-functional after a certain period to encourage replacement.

Name the four stages of a product life-cycle curve.

Launch, Growth, Maturity, Decline.

What is the purpose of a patent?

To grant exclusive rights to make, use or sell an invention for a limited time.

What is a ‘design classic’?

A mass-produced product recognised as a timeless standard of its era, retaining enduring appeal.

How do ‘form’ and ‘function’ relate in classic design evaluation?

Form refers to aesthetic shape; function refers to how effectively the product performs its task.

Define ‘dominant design’ in a market.

A product configuration whose key features are accepted as standard by most producers and consumers.

What is ‘retro-styling’?

Using aesthetic cues from a past era to create contemporary products with nostalgic appeal.

Why do many classic designs avoid ‘obsolescence’?

Their cultural, functional or aesthetic qualities remain desirable long after production ends.

Differentiate ‘ubiquitous’ from ‘omnipresent’ in product presence.

Both mean widespread, but omnipresent highlights long-term continuous circulation; ubiquitous emphasises being found almost everywhere now.

What is ‘affinity diagramming’ used for?

Organising large sets of ideas or data into related groups to reveal patterns and insights.

Define ‘affordance.’

A property of an object that indicates how it can be used, e.g. a handle affords pulling.

What is a ‘persona’ in UCD?

A detailed fictional profile representing a primary target user to guide design decisions.

Explain ‘iterative design.’

A cyclical process of prototyping, testing, analysing and refining to converge on an optimal solution.

Name the four pleasures in Tiger’s Four-Pleasure Framework.

Socio-pleasure, Physio-pleasure, Psycho-pleasure, Ideo-pleasure.

What does ‘inclusive design’ aim for?

Mainstream products usable by as many people as possible without special adaptation.

Provide the ISO definition of ‘usability.’

The extent to which specified users can use a product to achieve goals effectively, efficiently and with satisfaction.

In interface design, what is ‘mapping’?

The logical relationship between controls and their effects, enhancing intuitive use.

Why is ‘feedback’ essential in product interfaces?

It informs users of the result of their actions, reducing errors and improving confidence.

What happens in a ‘prototype testing session’?

Users interact with a test model while designers observe performance, collect feedback and identify improvements.

What are the three pillars of Triple Bottom Line sustainability?

Economic, Environmental and Social performance.

Contrast ‘bottom-up’ and ‘top-down’ sustainability strategies.

Bottom-up builds solutions from workforce or local initiatives; top-down sets goals and processes from leadership level.

List Datschefski’s five principles of sustainable design.

Cyclic, Solar, Safe, Efficient, Social.

What is ‘eco-labelling’?

Marking products to indicate they have a lower environmental impact than alternatives.

Define ‘energy security.’

Uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.

What does ‘sustainable development’ mean?

Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Explain ‘take-back legislation.’

Laws requiring manufacturers to accept responsibility for products and packaging at end of life.

What is ‘decoupling’ in sustainability discourse?

Breaking the link between economic growth and environmental degradation by using resources more efficiently.

What is ‘brand loyalty’?

A consumer’s preference for purchasing from a specific supplier over competitors.

Differentiate a ‘market sector’ from a ‘market segment.’

Sector is a broad category of related markets; segment is a specific subgroup of consumers with similar traits.

Name the 4 Ps of the marketing mix.

Product, Price, Place, Promotion.

Describe ‘competition-based pricing.’

Positioning a product’s price relative to competitors—lower, equal or higher.

Compare ‘pioneering’ and ‘imitative’ market strategies.

Pioneering is first-to-market with innovation; imitative releases similar products after a competitor’s success.

What is a ‘product family’?

A group of related products sharing common parts or branding, offered to different user needs or price points.

Define ‘product diversification.’

Increasing sales by introducing new products to new markets.

How is ‘perceptual mapping’ useful to marketers?

It graphically compares a product’s position against competitors on key attributes to identify gaps or opportunities.

What does Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) accomplish?

Integrates business, engineering and production data via computers to streamline and automate manufacturing.

Explain the difference between JIT and JIC inventory strategies.

JIT orders or makes components only when needed; JIC keeps extra stock on hand for unexpected demand.

What is ‘lean production’?

A strategy of continual waste elimination and incremental process improvement to add customer value.

Define ‘Kaizen.’

A culture of continuous, incremental improvement involving all employees.

Differentiate Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC).

QA covers planned and systematic activities to ensure quality; QC involves operational techniques and inspections to fulfil quality requirements.

What is the purpose of ‘value stream mapping’?

To analyse and design the flow of materials and information required to bring a product to the customer, identifying waste.