International Baccalaureate: Design & Technology
Topic 2: The Responsibility of the Designer
The designer, by instigating technological change, is implicated in the resultant social consequences. Commonly these are seen as unexpected or unwanted effects arising from a new product, technique or system. This topic focuses on the designer’s responsibilities to the consumer/user, the client or manufacturer and society, and how these responsibilities can sometimes cause conflict.
A common understanding of product analysis and evaluation should be established, possibly through a case study. Students could then develop and apply their own product analysis (possibly to their own design project). Due to the wide variety of possibilities in emphasis and method that can be used, it would be useful for all students to share experiences of their product analyses.
Students need to understand the constraints and opportunities that exist for optimizing the exploitation of resources and renewable energy sources. The aim is to be aware of the need to conserve non-renewable resources and to meet human, environmental and industrial requirements.
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.1.4
Identify specific design contexts where the designer would use the 5th–95th range or the 50th percentile range and how these ranges are appropriate for particular user groups. For example, washing machines and cookers are designed around the 50th percentile so they are all a standard height regardless of the brand. Clothes are produced in a range of sizes based on the 5th–95th percentage range of a particular user group.
2.1.5
Explain why designers use the 5th–95th percentile range rather than the 1st–99th percentile range.
With volume production it is important to standardize sizes. It is uneconomical to design for people whose sizes are outside the 5th–95th range.
2.1.6
Explain the dangers of using the 50th percentile as a means of designing for the “average” person.
The 50th percentile refers to one particular dimension. For example, someone may be average in height, but not average in other dimensions.
2.1.7
2.1.8
2.1.9
Explain the reasons for using manikins and ergonomes when designing. Manikins are two dimensional and are used with orthographic drawings. Ergonomes are three dimensional and are used with objects to consider spatial arrangements.
2.1.10
Outline the significance of psychological factors (smell, light, sound, taste, texture and temperature) to ergonomics. Individuals react differently to sensory stimuli. Efficiency and comfort are affected by such factors.
2.1.11
Describe the relevance of bodily tolerances, such as fatigue and comfort, to ergonomic inquiry. The controls for a machine may be designed for correct reach but, if in constant use, may cause fatigue and inefficiency. A car seat may be comfortable for short journeys but not for long journeys.
2.1.12
Discuss the limitations of collecting ergonomic data. Include static and dynamic data. Consider the difficulty in obtaining accurate, reliable data, especially when collecting functional dimensions,
observing users’ behaviour or obtaining users’ responses. Issues of data collection in terms of comfort and fatigue should be considered.
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
Outline the general criteria used to evaluate products. Consider performance, reliability,
materials, construction, cost, ease-of-use, safety, and aesthetics.
2.2.4
Describe how the criteria outlined in 2.2.3 may be used to evaluate the quality of a product. Use examples to apply the criteria.
2.2.5
Explain how the relevance of the criteria in 2.2.3 will vary depending on
the purpose of the evaluation. For example, car safety is the most important consideration when crash testing.
2.2.6
Discuss how the purpose of the evaluation is influenced by the objectives
of the evaluator.
2.2.1–2.2.2 The purpose of the evaluation must be clearly defined as it determines the criteria to be used and the methodology for gathering information. Value judgments play an important role in product analysis and they vary according to the individual, the time (era) and the circumstances. Consumers often value utility, security, availability, rarity, aesthetics and value for money, while designers may consider function, reliability and ease of manufacture more important. Designers evaluate products to analyse existing solutions to design problems or to generate ideas for new product design prior to the development of a design brief. Manufacturers evaluate products in relation to the feasibility of production (eg cost-effectiveness).
2.2.7
2.2.8
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of a literature search for data collection. Many sources of information are available but there may be too much data to sort through and it may be too time consuming to do so. 2.2.9 Evaluate the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) in aiding literature searching. ICT makes it easier to access information eg via the Internet, and allows for two-way communication. It eliminates the need to travel to gain information, but necessitates access to a computer.
2.2.10
2.2.11
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of a user trial in collecting ergonomic data. The “user” is a non-specialist and so user trials are cost-effective and more readily available. However, users may carry out tasks in different ways to those expected.
2.2.12
2.2.13
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using expert appraisal to collect ergonomic data. For example, you gain expert knowledge and advice (compared to a user trial) but the expert may be biased, and it also might be difficult to locate the experts.
2.2.14
The data from a performance test is likely to be more accurate compared to a user trial but the expert may be biased in his/her views.
2.2.15
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using a performance test to collect data. The advantage of a performance test is that it provides data about how the product will perform eg in a car crash, which could not be done in a user trial. Disdvantages are that the test may be time-consuming and costly to perform.
2.2.16
2.2.17
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of using user research to collect data. Data is relatively easy and cheap to obtain but it is largely qualitative.
2.2.18
With user research, data is collected by obtaining users’ responses to questions. With a user trial, data is collected by observing users’ behaviour and is more scientifically based. Compare user research with user trial.
2.2.19
Consider the purpose of the evaluation and the parameters that the evaluator is working within, eg timescale. Outline the most appropriate strategies for collecting data for a specified product in order to evaluate it against set criteria.
2.3.1
Designers need to be aware of legislation that affects their role, eg safety standards. Local and national requirements should be considered. Explain how legislation can impose constraints on designers.
2.3.2
Explain how aesthetic considerations affect the design of products and the built environment. Style is often the main selling point for a product, eg a motor car.
2.3.3
Changes in values (eg attitudes to waste and pollution) affect designers’ activities. Outline one example where society places a social responsibility on the work of a designer.
2.3.4
Discuss the conflict a designer faces when attempting to balance form and function. There is often a tension between the aesthetic characteristics and functionality, aesthetic characteristics and safety issues and aesthetic characteristics and cost or value for money. To the consumer aesthetic
considerations may outweigh functional considerations at the point of sale.
2.3.5
2.3.6
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of planned obsolescence to the consumer. Advantages—more choice, increased innovation, more competition.
Disadvantages—less intrinsic value to products, need to replace products more often.
2.3.7
Increased wealth from sales but increased research and development requirements.
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of planned obsolescence to the manufacturer.
2.3.8
Explain how planned obsolescence influences the design specification of a product. Consider materials and construction, durability and ease of maintenance.
2.3.9
2.3.10
Compare the influence of fashion and planned obsolescence on the product cycle.
Planned obsolescence has a definite timescale; fashion is less predictable. Both may be present in a design (eg a certain colour may be fashionable for a motor car) but this does not affect materials or technological obsolescence.
2.3.11
Evaluate the influence of fashion and planned obsolescence in relation to the quality and value of a product. Consider whether “designer” products are better quality than cheaper brands of the same product. Consider also the values of a “throw away society”.
2.3.12
Discuss the implications of fashion and planned obsolescence for conserving natural resources, waste and pollution. Consider the influence of fashion and planned obsolescence on the product cycle, ie a shorter cycle means more use of raw materials and energy in obtaining the materials, manufacturing and disposing of the materials. Also consider waste and pollution at each stage of the cycle.