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Year 11 - Design and technology

New and emerging technologies informing design decisions

Core principles

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will develop core principles knowledge with an explicit focus on exam technique.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use specific examples to explain the impact of new and emerging technologies on the design of products.

Key Notes

  • Market pull and technology push impact on design decisions.
  • Obsolescence impacts on design decisions.
  • Fashion and inclusivity impact design decisions.
  • New and emerging technologies impact design decisions; e.g. biopol versus synthetic polymers

Vocabulary To Learn

  • design decision: a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem
  • market pull: designers develop products in response to users' needs and wants
  • technology push: innovations developed by companies are sold onto the user
  • obsolete: a product that is no longer used or useful
  • planned obsolescence: products deliberately designed to fail or become quickly outdated

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • All new technology is good and we should use it.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Market pull and technology push impact on design decisions. Obsolescence impacts on design decisions.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'design decision'

a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: All new technology is good and we should use it. Correction: New technology can be good but may also have negative consequences which responsible designers must consider.

More Lessons In This Unit

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