2.1 - Selection of Materials or Components Flashcards
What are some different factors when choosing materials for and designing a product?
- Aesthetics
- Functionality
- Availability
- Cost
- Social factors
- Cultural factors
- Ethical factors
- Environmental factors
How do designers concider aesthetics when choosing materials and designing a product?
- In product design, designers consider aesthetic factors including shape, size, colour, surface finish and texture.
- Aesthetics should appeal to the target market.
How do designers consider functionality when choosing materials and designing a product?
- Designers must ensure that the chosen material is fit for purpose.
- They need to understand the purpose of the end product.
- Will the material do the job it’s selected for and will it be easy to work with?
How do designers consider availability when choosing materials and designing a product?
Designers must consider the availability of a material.
Issues with supply can affect the price of the end-product.
• Are the materials easy to source?
• Are they widely available and quick to deliver?
• Are they supplied in stock forms and sizes?
How do designers consider cost when choosing materials and designing a product?
- The cost of materials will impact the final price a product can be sold for.
- The overall cost of design, materials, manufacture, testing, packaging and delivery should not exceed the selling price.
- Buying materials and components in bulk reduces the cost per unit, helping to reduce the overall cost of manufacturing.
What are the disadvantages of buying materials in bulk?
- Large upfront costs.
- Extra storage space needed.
- Potential wastage of any goods with a shelf life that expires.
How do designers consider social factors when choosing materials and designing a product?
Designers have a social responsibility to consider what impact their products may have on the environment. Factors for consideration include:
- Using materials from sustainable sources.
- Sourcing materials that have a positive impact on farmers and workers.
- Reducing the use of unethically sourced materials that harm the environment.
How do designers consider cultural factors when choosing materials and designing a product?
- Designers should consider the ideas and customs of different cultures in our society.
- Gender, religion and wealth all affect our lifestyle and choices.
- This can be as simple as the choice of colour, or how a product is named or advertised.
How do designers consider ethical factors when choosing materials and designing a product?
Design should consider the needs of the user; understand the requirements they have and make their product solve these problems. As part of this process designers should:
- Consider human rights.
- Make something functional, reliable and usable.
- Consider the users experience and make life better.
What is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and how does it relate to using ethically sourced materials?
- Manufacturers should avoid using unethical materials that exploit the workforce or damage the environment.
- Wood/paper products that carry the FSC logo, show that they come from a sustainable source.
- This means the forest will use selective logging and replanting to create a cycle of productivity and supply that doesn’t harm the forest environment.
How do designers consider environmental factors when choosing materials and designing a product?
When selecting materials, designers should aim to limit the environmental impact of their product.
- Is it possible to use a sustainable material?
- Can the materials be sourced locally?
- How easy is it to extract and transport the materials?
- Can they be reused, recycled or are they biodegradable?
