AQA GCSE Product Design: 2.1 - Selections of Materials or Components

Selections of Materials and Products:

• Functionality - How a product is suited to the specific needs of a product.
• Aesthetics - How it is pleasing to the 5 senses.
• Environmental Factors - Including transportation (carbon footprint), materials and recyclability.

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• Availability - How easy is it to get the material(s)?
• Cost - Too cheap: no profit, too expensive: no one will buy it.
• Social Factors - How people’s opinions change them. Can be affected by religion, gender, wealth or family
• The FSC - Forest Stewardship Council, a non-government organization protecting all timber sources and helping to manage the usage of trees.

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• Cultural Factors - Values of an individual or community that affect behaviour. One culture may find something rude/offensive, e.g. red: good luck in China, mourning in South Africa.
• Ethical Factors - What is morally correct, minimising the use of natural resources; using renewable materials.

Selections in Timber, Metals and Polymers:

• Functionality -   * Child toy: light, bright, acrylic better than metal   * Cupboards and tables: rigid, timber   * Radiators and pans: conduct heat, metal   * Hardwoods are better at resisting decay   * Metals corrode without coating   * Polymers crack and scratch easily
• Aesthetics -   * Child toy: easily coloured, bright, polymer   * Garden furniture: strong, long-lasting, metal   * Chair: rigid, allows curved shapes, timber   * Lampshade: attractive with and without light
• Environmental Factors -   * Timber from managed forests is recycled and reused easily - renewable   * Plastics reused and recycled easily   * Reusing plastic, metal and glass   * Use of energy   * Easily repaired - less made   * Where it’s used - location   * Good quality materials extend the product’s life
• Availability -   * Different trees grow at different speeds   * Natural events change availability - e.g. volcanoes, hurricanes   * Bespoke is less available than fitted
• Cost -   * The initial price of raw materials affects the end price   * Complex manufacturing processes and finishes increase prices significantly   * Traditional woodworking skills cost more as time-consuming and need a finish   * Most polymers are self-finishing, take less time, cheaper   * Materials need to be appropriate
• Social Factors -   * Computers and robots allow products to be made quicker, cheaper and more accurate   * Many people in poverty: can’t afford the best quality   * Elderly people may struggle with certain products
• Cultural Factors -   * Colour and decoration may be unique   * e.g. Japanese people eat on the floor, different furniture needed   * Gender can affect style, colour and design
• Ethical Factors -   * Cheap labour leads to pollution and exploitation   * Deforestation leads to global warming which causes extinction   * Ethically sourced timbers reduce environmental damage   * Worker protection is ethical   * Correct disposal is important

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