DT 2009 HSC

H1.1 critically analyses the factors affecting design and the

development and success of design projects
Factors affecting designing and producing
appropriateness of the design solution ↝ design solution must be in context with the
problem; suitable for the environment in which it will be used
needs ↝ something that is wanted or required to increase a person’s quality of life, wellbeing
or happiness
function ↝ PSE needs to be functional in its given context; the performance of the design
solution depends on function being a continuance factor; malfunction and function evaluation
MUST be taken into account
aesthetics ↝ refers to the beauty of the design
finance ↝ involved in designing, manufacturing and marketing the product
ergonomics ↝ the study of how people work or participate in an environment and the
equipment used by human needs to suit their shape, physique and movements they need to
perform; designers need to consider the application of their design for various personal
shapes and sizes in relation to the efficient use of skills
occupational health and safety ↝ wide spectrum of policies, guidelines and activities that
focus on promoting and managing health and safety at work; design should not pose any
health hazards throughout its life cycle
quality ↝ provide design solutions that are not only good now, but also good for the future in
terms of durability and quality
short-term and long-term environmental consequences ↝ recycling is the result of
minimizing waste while sustainability is about creating a process that can be maintained in
an ongoing manner
obsolescence ↝ loss of value or usefulness usually over a period of time, because of wear,
changing technology or user preference
life cycle analysis ↝ analysis of a design at all stages – from conception to disposal (cradle
to grave). The resources include human (people, energy, skills) and non human (finances,
time, tools)

Examples of Success and Failure in Design

The success or failure of a design is largely determined by whether or not it has produced a
commercial profit.
success ↝ ute, café bar and the black box flight recorder
failures ↝ dvorak keyboard, ford Capri

H1.2 relates the practices and processes of designers and

producers to the major design project
Design may be defined as the plan on which an object is constructed and or decorated
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Design Practice: initial contact with client, analysing the need and working through
to a final product, system or environment
1. Define the problem Design brief Evaluation
2. Initial ideas Specifications and limitations Evaluation
3. Research – secondary Research Evaluation
4. Refine ideas Possible solutions/concepts Evaluation
5. Research - primary Selection of best solution Evaluation
6. Refine ideas Development Evaluation
7. Manufacturing Realisation of Project Evaluation
8. Evaluate Final Evaluation Evaluation
Evaluation

H2.1 explains the influence of trends in society on design and

production
Trends in designing and producing which are influenced by:
Social: refers to values; individual’s and society’s sense of right and wrong in reference to
the wellbeing of society and community. Individuals support different causes and some seek
to ensure they remain on the social agenda
Patriotism, Hedonism, Multiculturalism, Social Class, Egalitarianism, Social Conscience
Global: a global market for design and production allows for international TNCs to work,
design and produce in different countries
The world economy has undergone radical changes during the last quarter of a
century and geographical and cultural distances have shrunk with faster communication,
more efficient transportation and major advances in technology
Political: there are many government agencies and acts of legislation that influence design
and production, operating to protect consumers and manufactures. Provides protection for
Australia consumers in a range of areas
Trade systems also affect designing and producing
Economic: the economic environment consists of factors that affect consumer purchasing
power and spending.
Designers need to consider buying power as well as the people they are
designing for.
When the economy is more confident, people will accept a design that is less of a
need and more of a want
Another economic issue is the cost of manufacturing.
Environmental Issues: There are four environmental trends that have long-term implications
on designing and producing:
 Shortage of raw materials – both renewable and non-renewable
resources
 Increasing energy costs
 Increasing levels of pollution in the environment cause by the
build up of substances that do not decompose or only decompose slowly
 Increasing government intervention in natural resource
management

Historical & Cultural influences on designing and producing:

Changing social trends: the changing lifestyles and family structures have seen opportunities
for creation and design to arise
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Cultural diversity: it has influenced fashion and food; bring new tools, techniques and
experiences. It is important that designers are aware of the cultural diversity in our country
and that we respect and celebrate cultural differences

The Changing Nature of Work: trend at the end of the 20th Century was for a larger number
of people employed in part-time work with flexible work hours. Technology has made
significant changes in mass production of goods and enables people to work from home.

Technological Changes: has advanced radically.

Mass production is more efficient and effective.
Technological changes have impacted on the nature of work,
communication and production processes in many industries.
Significant developments have occurred in industrial settings.

H2.2 evaluates the impact of design and innovation on society

and the environment
Ethical & Environmental Issues
Ethics are moral values by which we judge right or wrong, good or bad.
Ethical issues that influence designers:
 Assessing the impact of the design on the consumer:
 Safety, ease of use, built in obsolescence
 Protection of intellectual property
 Legal enforcement, patent holder rights
 Privacy of companies and individuals
 Issues such as invading privacy: security monitoring devices, computer databases
 Exposure to the undesirable
 Pornographic sites, camera phones
 Advertising of designs
 Offensive material to subcultures such as men/women, disabled
 The right to alter natural order
 Genetic engineering/modification
 Whether designs should be tested on animals and humans
 Harm on humans and animals during testing
 Environmental impact
 Use of renewable, non-renewable resources: impact from life cycle of product
 Sustainable technology
 Whether resources used in production are conserved, while still meeting
production requirements
 Impact on minority groups
 Groups in society that require special design such as the elderly

Environmental issues that relate to design

o the greenhouse effect or global warming
o the reduction/destruction of the ozone layer
o massive tropical deforestation
o waste in a world where many are needy
o water, air and land pollution
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o resource consumption
o consumption of non-renewable resources
o noise pollution
o the cradle to grave approach
o use of sustainable technologies

Sustainable Technologies
Non-renewable resources are resources that cannot be replaced within a time span relevant
to humans
Renewable resources are resources that can be replaced by natural processes in a relatively
short period of time. These include:
• hydro (water) – used to generate electricity
• Solar energy – energy from the sun
• wind – use of windmills to generate energy
• biomass – energy obtained from plant or animal matter
• tidal – movement of tides
• wave – wind blowing over bodies of water
• geothermal – energy from the earths molten centre
• nuclear power – use of nuclear fission – breaking up of larger atoms to produce energy

Sustainability is improving the quality of life both now and in the future that maintains the
ecological processes on which life depends
Sustainable technology is technology that meets production requirements while still
conserving natural resources
Sustainable design is design that involves natural resources that may be replaced in a
relatively short period of time, and use of sustainable technology.

Protection of Intellectual Property

IP refers to property of the mind or intellect
It is legally protected and a designer must be aware of this
Credit should be given if a person uses copyright material for study purposes
Legal protection is granted by the following government agencies:
o IP Australia administers patents, trademarks and design rights
Four most important types of IP:
o Designs – a products unique appearance or form
o Trademarks – its brand name or logo
o Patents – the new materials, mechanism method of operation
o Copyright - protects written material, artistic work, music etc

Rights and Responsibilities of Designers

Designers today are encouraged, through consumer expectation, to consider the
ramifications of their design and how it fits into society as a whole
Rights of designers – laws protect the rights of designers.
A designer has the right to:
o Legal protection of IP by the relevant means
o Legal redress if IP is used without permission
Responsibilities of designers – designers should
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o accept a professional obligation to further the social and aesthetic standards of the
community
o act in keeping with the honour and dignity of the profession
o act in the clients interests within the limits of the designers professional duties
o treat all knowledge of clients intensions, production methods as confidential
o try to reduce any potential safety hazards associated with the design
o Aim to create minimal environmental impact through design, manufacture and use
o not to use other peoples IP without permission
o No unnecessary harm to any human or animal

H3.1 analyses the factors that influence innovation and the

success of innovation
Factors that impact on success of innovation including
Timing – innovation is more likely to succeed during times of prosperity then times of
economic depression.
Available and emerging technologies – technological discovery or invention can provide the
stimulus to initiate the innovation process. Market Pull and Technology Push
Cultural Factors - institutions that affect society’s basic values, perceptions preferences and
behaviour
Political Factors – laws, government agencies, pressure groups
Economic Factors – inflation, depression, unemployment, poverty
Marketing Strategies – to be commercially successful, a product must satisfy consumer
needs. Involves evaluating the market environment, determining the demand, making
decisions about supply of the product and setting achievable goals

The role of agencies that may impact upon the success of innovations
Patents Office – where applications for patents are filed. The office assess whether an
invention is new and IF it meets the legislative requirements
Standards Australia – A company that promotes publicizes and develops standards. These
standards help to improve efficiency and enhance quality of products
Small Business Council – represents small and medium enterprises. Aims to assist their
development by initiating, participating in or overseeing projects that may benefit small
businesses

Entrepreneurial Activity
The entrepreneur performs three basic functions:
Decision making: the entrepreneur controls the firm and makes decisions that are
fundamental to its nature, operation and continued existence
Innovation: the entrepreneur applies new techniques to the production process, undertakes
the production and distribution of new and improved goods and services, and introduces new
forms of selling and organisation to the firm
Risk Bearing: in making decisions the entrepreneur necessarily takes and accepts risks and
these risks often come from uncertainties. The uncertainties may be due to anticipating the
marketplace or by introducing innovations

Role in Design and Technology Activity

Entrepreneurial activity is necessary to encourage design and technology activity.
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The entrepreneurial procedures necessary for production include:
• establishing the marketing opportunity for the design
• organising financial backing for the development of the design
• protecting the final design by securing design registrations and patents
• organising the supply of components, raw materials and labour
• Manufacturing of the design
• advertising the product to the target market
• organising sales, distribution and servicing

Agencies that Affect Entrepreneurial Activity

• government agencies, through laws, incentives, subsidies
• commercial agencies, through the buying and selling of goods
• industrial agencies, through WorkCover, workplace agreements and awards

Management and Entrepreneurial Activity

- The fundamental difference between a manager and an entrepreneur is the type of
decisions made by each. The entrepreneur has the responsibility of basic policy decisions
that set the future course of the business firm whereas the decision-making of the manager
is usually concerned with day-to-day routine matters.

H3.2 uses creative and innovative approaches in designing and

producing
Processes undertaken to develop innovations
o Intuitive design ↝ relating to the designer’s personal perception and feedback
o Systematic design ↝ more deliberate and methodical

Adaptation and development of ideas

o Strategies such as sketching and brainstorming can be employed to assist in the
development of designs

Responding to motivational stimuli

o Designers may be inspired by an event, a personal experience, their environment, a
need, nature, an existing product or the urge to create

Success of innovation
o Quality of the final product and quality control during production are vital to the
success of a design
o users
o Effort and Risk taking ↝ innovation is often the result of necessity and adversity and
the ability to take risks an think creatively is not innate in all people. An innovator
needs to put in the effort and have confidence in their abilities
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o Managing all of the elements of the innovation ↝ every element must be managed
carefully as the mismanagement of one step could be financially catastrophic, and
could influence the success of the innovation
o Seeking out other sources of innovation ↝ by thoroughly research, testing and
experimenting and using cutting-edge technology, a designer can help make this
design a success
o integration of all elements of innovation ↝ a collaborative approach between
researchers, designers, manufacturers and marketers will contribute to the success
of the product

Creative Thinking
o It is important to demonstrate creativity in the development of a PSE

H4.1 identifies a need or opportunity and researches and

explores ideas for design development and production of the
major design project
Needs analysis
Researching and developing ideas
identify a problem/recognise an opportunity ↝ establish a need ↝ explore different areas of
that need

Identifying opportunities
o Identify target market, survey graphics, and evaluation
o Internet, yellow pages, brochures, experts

Research and methods of experimentation to generate ideas

Primary data is research conducted first hand
Secondary data is obtained from other people’s research
Quantitative Research gathers data that can be expressed in statistical or numerical form
Qualitative Research examines people’s feelings about some issue or event

o Descriptive research ↝ explains or describes current situation, carried out through

interviews, surveys and analysis of data
o Historical research ↝ reconstruct events happened in past records, diaries,
autobiographies
o Experimental research ↝ research that occurs as a result of planned experiments
o Operational research ↝ evaluating performance of an operating situation

Surveys – collect sample opinions or statistics in order to draw conclusions about an overall
situation
Questionnaires – printed question sheet and tally sheet
Interviews – method of collecting primary data. Involves talking face to face, by phone etc
Tests and Experiments – a test is a standardized procedure for obtaining a response. An
experiment is a test or trial used to test a hypothesis
Statistical Analysis – is the science of collecting, organising and interpreting numerical facts
(data)
Interpreting and Presenting Data – discussion of the data to find trends, averages,
unexpected results, relationships between items
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H4.2 selects and uses resources responsibly and safely to

realise a quality major design project
Factors to be considered when selecting resources
Environmental Issues
o a life-cycle analysis is the examination of the environmental impact of a product from
the ‘cradle to grave’ from raw materials to use and then eventual disposal
Safety
o safety is the paramount issue in design
o safe working practices are usually developed with knowledge gained from research,
past experience, understanding of the properties of the material and analysis of any
potential hazard
Ethical Issues
o must fit into the cultural and social context

H4.3 evaluates the processes undertaken and the impacts of

the major design project
Project Evaluation
Criteria to Evaluate Success
Design constraints ↝ related to a design process
Design criteria ↝ specifically related to the outcome
Functional criteria ↝ relates to the design solution and hot it fulfils its job
Aesthetic criteria ↝ relates to the look of the project

Ongoing analysis and experimentation

o continual evaluation is the critical process of reasoning: assessing why you chose
certain materials, colours, techniques instead of others

Implementation of design solutions

o link it to evaluation

Impact of the MDP

impact of the individual ↝ refer to the project proposal and see if it fits
impact on society ↝ may/not have an obvious impact
Environmental impact ↝ defined as the totality of surrounding conditions in relation to
potential social or environmental costs or benefits

H5.1 manages the development of a quality major design

project
Management is a process that involves the planned use of resources to achieve goals
The purpose of good management is for not only achieving goals successfully but also more
efficiently to improve profits

Management process consists manly of:

o Planning (devising a scheme)
o Organising ( what has to be carried out)
o Implementing (a plan of action)
o Evaluating (the results in respect to the goals set)
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Management skills of successful managers:

o People Skills – understanding how people think, feel, communicating effectively
o Thinking Skills – problem solving and lateral thinking skills
o Technical Skills – knowledge of production of support services

H5.2 selects and uses appropriate research methods and

communication techniques

Research Methods
Innovation is the creation of new devices, objects, ideas or procedures useful to humans
Research and recording resources for the innovation report and MDP include libraries, the
internet, retail outlets, experts, family and friends

Importance of communication and the skill of the designer to use a range of communication
tools and resources to describe and justify their ideas and decisions
o Ability to evaluate a design project & communicate effectively
o Ability to work in a team
o Ability to be a good listener
H6.1 justifies technological activities undertaken in the major
design project through the study of industrial and commercial
practices
Safe work practices using selected resources
o when you being to develop design ideas the concept of safety needs to be
considered from the very onset and addressed at all stages of the design and
realisation process
o must identify hazards, assess risks and eliminate or control risks to health and safety
and take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk

Production techniques
o The decision to use or not use industrial or commercial type practices is purely
practical. Either you can’t access the resources to perform the task or the
industrial/commercial method is inefficient for producing only one or two items
o As part of the design process, identify relevant industrial/commercial practices and
compare them to those in the realisation of your MDP. Always justify the choices you
have made

H6.2 critically assesses the emergence and impact of new

technologies, and the factors affecting their development

Factors affecting their development

Technology, marketing, consumers

Criteria for Evaluation

To check if achieved
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Impact on society and the environment
o With each new technological development, people become more sophisticated and
demanding of new products.
o Designers need to strive constantly to satisfy the needs and desires of society while,
at the same time, produce products that are more environmentally friendly

Impact on innovation

o Any new technology in the early stages of development or acceptance in the market
place is an ‘emerging technology’. It may be hard to believe, but everything we take
for granted today was once an emerging technology
o The development of an emerging technology has in many cases been the catalyst
for the creation of whole new areas of human endeavour.