Design And technology

Industry

  • New and emerging technologies have changed places of work to include automation and robotics

  • Design teams can now work together remotely, with increasing productivity and accuracy, saving money and time.

Automated production lines

  • Production lines are automated using intelligent machines and robotics.

  • Products are manufactured faster and more accurately

  • Fewer employees are needed as machines can replace people

  • Only a few skilled engineers are needed to maintain the machines.

  • This improves efficiency and reduces human error

Efficient workflow

  • The workflow is organised to make the layout of the building efficient.

  • This removes unnecessary time spent moving from one place to another

  • - - As a result, manufacturing becomes more efficient which saves time, money and waste.

Virtual modelling

  • Virtual modelling is uses to develop designs.

  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is used to explore different ideas

  • Computer-Aided Testing (CAT) can analyse the strength and efficiency of a design.

  • No physical models have to be made which saves time, money and waste.

Virtual Workspaces

  • Virtual workspace enable a design team to collaborate remotely

  • The internet and increased speed of data transfer have led to shared online workspaces.

  • Designs can be prototyped using Computer-Aided Manufacture(CAM)

  • There is no need to rent office space, and travel time and expenses are reduced.


Enterprise

  • Enterprise involves converting an innovative idea into a commercial product.

  • The internet and social media have allowed more people to promote ideas and find ways to finance them.

Crowdfunding

  • Is typically an online platform where designers pitch an idea and ask for investment.

  • Lots of people make small contributions, choosing to invest in interesting ideas.

  • Designers can raise large amount of money to finance their project.

Virtual marketing and retail

  • Include advertising a product or service using popular websites and social media.

  • A wide range of people can be reached

  • Celebrities or influencers promote products through social media posts, blogs and vlogs

  • Adverts can be posted on popular sites.

  • Websites can complete search engine optimisation to ensure they are more visible on keyword searches.

Co-operatives

  • Groups of people with a common interest or goal from a co-operative

  • Members can be part of the workforce and the customers.

  • Each member of the group has an equal share and say in the business

Fairtrade

  • The workers and farmers who produce materials in developing countries are given more equality. This includes:

  • - - A fair price for their produce

  • - - Respectable working conditions

  • - - Better protection of their working and living environments.


Sustainability

Sustainable - design aims to minimise negative impacts on the environment.

Life cycle assessment(LCA)

  • Life cycle assessment (LCA) can be used to analyse all the stages in a product’s life and highlighting the impact it will have on the environment.

  • The mai stages of a LCA are:

  • - - Extraction of raw materials

  • - - Manufacture and assembly

  • - - Transportation

  • - - Use

  • - - Disposal


  • The designer can then investigate can then investigate different ways to reduce the negative impact at each stage. This could include:

  • - - Alternative materials or manufacturing processes

  • - - Sourcing local materials or relocating factories to reduce transportation.

  • - - Reducing parts

  • - - Alternative energy sources

  • - - Labelling for recycling

Finite and non-finite resources

  • Resources can be split into two main categories, finite and non-finite resources.

  • Finite resources:

  • - - Finite resources are not sustainable

  • - - They are in short supply and once used will eventually run out.

  • — — Examples include: oil, gas and coal

Non-finite resources:

  • - - Non-finite resources are sustainable

  • - - Can be easily found and once used can be re-grown and replaced.

  • — — Examples include: wood, wool, cotton

Disposal of waste

  • Waste throughout the products life needs to be reduced.

  • waste causes environmental damage and growing landfill sites.

Reducing waste

  • ways to reduce waste:

  • - - Recycling scheme with councils for household rubbish

  • - - Returning electronic products to companies for disposal

  • - - Creating products with re-usable or replaceable parts.

  • - - Encouraging the use of renewable power sources

  • - - Financial incentives for users to refill products

  • - - Reducing the amount of disposable products that are used

  • - - using more recycled materials