2.1 a design, innovation and influences

Question 1

Interrelationship of materials, components and
performance

Answer 1

Manufactured products involve multiple materials, components parts, processes and techniques.
Designers need to discriminate between each of them, select appropriately for use in order to
improve, refine and realise a design. The success of a product depends on it.

Question 1

The process of innovation

Answer 1

Innovation is about introducing new and useful
ideas or products to the market place that are
relevant and add value. Innovation also refers to the
use of materials in a new way or can be applied to
new process such as 3D printing.

Question 2

Collaborative and commercial approaches

Answer 2

Collaborative design strengthens design integrity by bringing together ideas from people who play
different roles within a team as well as relying on feedback from user experiences.

Question 3

Inversion

Answer 3

A design strategy for turning a problem around and
approaching it from a different perspective. It could also mean considering what else a product might do.

Question 4

Morphological analysis

Answer 4

Morphological analysis explores all possible
solutions to a problem or new idea. Problems
can be split into partial problems and solutions
found for each of those. In this way any problem is thoroughly investigated.

Question 5

Analogy and lateral thinking

Answer 5

Analogy refers to applying a known solution to a similar problem in order to solve the new problem.
Lateral thinking refers to problem solving by taking an entirely new approach that is not immediately obvious.

Question 6

Reverse engineering

Answer 6

This is deconstructing a product or device to
see how it functions and the processes used
to construct it. This a is a design strategy that
allows designers and manufacturers to closely
examine all aspects of a competitor product or for manufacturers to improve on an existing product.

Question 7

Historical influences

Answer 7

Influential designers or design movements make a
significant contribution to product design and in
fashion and textiles.
Bauhaus is one movement where many design
classics originated for example, the Barcelona chair
by Mies van der Rohe. Tutors and students from
Bauhaus were influenced by the following design
principles:
♦ Form follows function
♦ Everyday objects for everyday people
♦ Products for a machine age
♦ Geometrically pure forms
Other design movements include Post Modernism, The Memphis Group, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Pop
Art and minimalism.
Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood is known for
the influence fashion history has on her work. Her
reinvention of the corset was a direct result of this.

Question 8

Technological developments

Answer 8

Development in technology in recent years is
unprecedented and has influenced all aspects
of product and fashion design from 3D printing,
wearable technologies to the internet of things.
Nano-technology has reduced the size of many
technological components. Batteries, for example,
have reduced in size but are no less powerful.
Conductive fibres can be seamlessly woven into
fabric.

Question 9

Product analysis

Answer 9

A useful design tool to analyse and learn from a
competitor product. Factors to consider include: form, function, style, materials and components, construction, quality, performance characteristics,
environmental factors – overall strengths and
weaknesses

Question 10

Performance modelling

Answer 10

A prototype is a model of a new design proposal. It
could be a functioning model or a concept model that is finished to a level that fully resembles the
finished product. In fashion and textiles, a performance model would resemble the finished product so that wearer or user trials could take place.

Question 11

Virtual modelling

Answer 11

3D models of products or components can be
modelled using specialist software. Products can be viewed from different angles before manufacture saving time and costs. In fashion, 3D simulations of catwalk shows are possible. Products can be viewed from different angles and helps to visualise what they would look
like on a person.

Question 12

Rapid prototyping

Answer 12

3D CAD drawings can be transferred to a printer
that will make a 3D prototype model of the design. This is also known as additive manufacture as
several layers are ‘printed’ to build up the 3D model. These models can be life size and can be fully tested for functionality, performance and form.

Question 13

New technology and design needs

Answer 13

Developments in new materials and fabric owe
much to new technology such as smart or technical
materials. Examples include: carbon fibre, microencapsulated fabrics, Kevlar, shape memory alloys
and electroluminescent materials.