Design Flashcards
Explain the benefits of using computer aided design in the development of products
Easier to alter the design
Library of parts
Carrying out testing such as stress analysis
Easily rendered to provide visuals/animations for clients
Easier to communicate design information with other members of the design team (collaborative working)
Easily sent for rapid prototyping
Reduced cost of physical modelling
Quicker than physical modelling
Production drawings easily created
Assisted production planning
Parts lists easily created
Describe appropriate methods of carrying out research into the needs of the target market
Focus groups
Questionnaires/Surveys
Analysis of market trends
Analysis of ergonomic data
Describe appropriate methods of carrying out research into the performance of an existing product
User trials
User trips
Test rigs
Analysis of existing data (performance specifications)
Give an example of the type of information found in the following specifications.
* Product design specification
* Marketing specification
* Technical specification
Product Design Specification
A product design specification is produced before designing begins and would be used to specify design intent:
Intended performance
Intended function
Intended aesthetic appeal
Intended ergonomic aspects
Intended target market/user
Marketing Specification
A marketing specification is produced prior to launching a product’s advertising and marketing plan and would be used to identify:
Intended market size in term of volume
Target market/consumer
Retail price
Any unique selling points (USPs)
Market sectors
Methods of advertising
Advertising budgets
Technical Specification
A technical specification is produced after the product is designed and tested to identify:
Materials
Dimensions
Weights
Maintenance cycles
Performance
Power supply
Fuel used
Comply with safety standards
Sketch models, test models and prototypes may be used at different stages of the design process.
Explain the purpose of each model type and how the information gained may advance the design of a product
Sketch models are used to:
Quickly produce concept ideas
Quickly produce development ideas
To assist with development of:
Functional factors
Ergonomic factors
Aesthetic factors
Test models are used to:
check a range of issues associated with products and their components
To provide information on:
Functional suitability/efficiency/performance/working environment
Structural suitability of product
Material performance
Compliance with Health & Safety regulations
Product lifespan/obsolescence
Allow alterations to be made
Prototypes are used to:
Test a fully working product/component
Assist with marketing
Provide clients with a fully working product (for testing)
Check for flaws
Information gained:
Allow alterations to be made before beginning production
Ensure that the final product meets the given brief/performance issues
Allow testing by potential customers/focus groups
Gauge the market opinion
Explain why standard components are used in production
Assumed quality of bought components
Reduced production costs
Supplied in common sizes/ratings
Ease of replacement by consumer
Allows parent company to focus on development of their product by outsourcing
Describe the steps that the company could take to maintain or improve the product’s market share throughout its life
Reduced price to improve sales
Increase marketing/advertising
Celebrity endorsement
Use alternative or cheaper materials
Purchase components from more economical suppliers (reduced costs)
Use more efficient manufacturing processes (reduced costs)
Available in a range of colours (target market choice)
Minor changes to functionality
Minor changes to aesthetics
Explain the advantages of using composite materials
Explanations are likely to be drawn from:
Individual properties blend to give the composite improved properties
Aesthetics
Durability
Rigidity
Impact resistance
UV resistance
Reduced corrosion
Strength/weight ratio
Increased dimensional stability
Part Consolidation i.e. one composite part as opposed to various
assembled parts
Design flexibility (easier to form)
Describe how production methods and planning systems are used to improve efficiency
Production methods
One-off production (prototypes), Batch production, Mass production,
Line, Flow, Use of jigs/fixtures, Use of patterns, Use of standard components, CAD/CAM, CNC machining (automation), Rapid prototyping, JIT, Sub-contracting, Quality control
Planning systems
Gantt charts, Flow charts or any other sequence planning method
An understanding of appropriate use of production methods and planning systems and the effects they have on manufacturing efficiency, such as:
Lead-time
Product inventory
Purchase inventory/storage of component parts reduced
Delays in purchasing of components
Maximising output/less hours lost in production time
Maximising workforce/labour requirements
Maximising efficient use of plant machinery
Production to satisfy customer needs
Structured project planning of production (JIT)
Increased quality assurance and control of production
Increased productivity
Reduction in stock wastage
Reduction in manufacturing costs
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of an open brief
An open brief would give the designer more creative freedom
An open brief would enable the possibility of more innovative ideas
An open brief could lead the designer to produce designs that are unsuitable
An open brief may not give the designer enough information to fully understand client needs
Describe idea generation techniques
brainstorming/thought showers
morphological analysis
technology transfer
analogy
lateral thinking
pencil for a walk/SAM
lifestyle/mood board
SCAMPER (may be done through sketch modelling)
biomimicry.
Any other suitable answer.
Brainstorming is carried out as a group activity. The problem
is stated in a simple manner and members of the group
suggest solutions. (1 mark) All suggestions should be
welcomed and there should be no criticism of any ideas.
(1 mark) Group members are also encouraged to build on
each other’s ideas. (1 mark)
In morphological analysis a table is made with columns of
different options. (1 mark) One item from each column is
selected at random to provide a description of a possible
design. (1 mark)
Describe the impact of fully automated manufacturing technology on people and society
reduced work force
demand for skilled workforce
workers will have to learn new skills
de-skilling of work force
changed work patterns
mass consumerism/products produced at lower cost,
society can easily afford
population migration
environmental impact (do not accept pollution)
Describe how consideration for environmental issues has impacted on the design and manufacture of products
using recyclable materials
materials from sustainable sources
labelling of plastic components to assist recycling
use of recycled materials in the manufacture of the
product
use of processes that do not cause harm to the
environment
manufacture of the product close to the market to
minimize transport
efficient machinery
easily dismantled products
easily transported (lightweight/stackable)
reduced volume of material used in each product
reduce number of materials used
reduce number of processes used
minimise waste (during production)
reuse components
reduced or no packaging
efficient in use (‘A’ rated products)
use of ‘green’ materials as an alternative
use of renewable energy for production
use of durable materials to increase lifespan of product.
Any other suitable answer.
Designing cars to be run using electricity has had an impact
on the environment by reducing the volume of pollutants into
the atmosphere (1 mark), this can also be achieved in fuel
driven cars by designing them to be more aerodynamic.
(1 mark)
Describe technology push and market pull and give an example of how each has influenced the design of products
Technology push is when research and development in new
technology drives the development of new products. It tends
to start with a company developing an innovative technology
and applying it to a new product.
It is likely that candidates will draw from common
technology push aspects such as:
touch screen technology
3D graphics ability
miniaturisation
wi-fi capability
improving audio technology
improvements in graphics/video technology
compatibility with existing products/previous version(s) of
product
health and fitness benefits
increased memory capability
‘cloud’ storage
new/improved materials.
The term market pull refers to the need/requirement for a
new product or a solution to a problem, which comes from
the market place. The need is identified by potential
customers or through market research. A product or a range
of products are developed, to solve the original need.
It is likely that candidates will draw from common market
pull aspects such as:
need for accessibility
affordability
portability
improved quality (of product)
online features
compatibility with existing products/previous version(s) of
products
health and fitness benefits
different pull from different age groups
aesthetics – colour/style options
add-ons – different accessories.
Describe two benefits of using rapid prototyping
reduced lead times (quicker to market)
reduced costs incurred in R&D mean products which were
marginal become profitable
accuracy of model
model/components made in actual material for testing
ability to edit and make changes to the design relatively
quickly
reduced outsourcing to specialist model makers
Describe a method that could be used to test the performance of a product and
identify the type of information that could be gained
user trial
user trip
test rig
simulation testing
Two valid points at one mark each.
Responses are likely to include:
ease of use
ease of maintenance/ease of cleaning
durability of construction
ergonomic issues (comfortable to hold etc.)
functional issues (fit for purpose)
battery life/recharge time
materials testing (component parts, durability, continual
use etc.)
environmental testing (energy performance etc.)
compatibility with accessories
feedback to design team (flaws/potential improvements)
Describe what is meant by planned obsolescence and give an example of how this has influenced the design of a product
Planned obsolescence is a strategy used in the design of
products to give the product a specific lifespan to cause the
product to be perceived as obsolete before it actually needs to be replaced.
One mark for example of how it has influenced a product.
Responses may include:
changes in fashion/style
ability to change parts of the product eg covers, personalisation
durability of parts, materials and construction
maintenance/replacement issues
compatibility of software/hardware
technology slowing down/lagging
A designer will work with a range of people when developing products.
These include:
* accountants
* material technologists
* production specialists
* marketing teams.
Describe the role of these people and how they influence each other’s decisions
during the development of products
Accountant - Budgets the project. Offers advice to the
designer on the costing of the project, restrictions, etc. An
Accountant would be responsible for overseeing all the
costs related to the design and manufacture of the
product. They would be responsible for managing the
profit and losses and would liaise directly with the client
and other specialists during the process.
Materials technologist - Has knowledge of materials and
their properties. Offers advice to the designer about the
materials which would be best suited to the job, taking
into consideration their properties, working
characteristics, cost, availability, etc. The materials
technologist provides advice on the selection of suitable
materials for manufacture of the product depending on
the target market. They work closely with production
specialists to ensure that any materials selected are suited
to the methods of production available.
page 25
Question Expected response Max
mark Additional guidance
6. Production specialist - Has strong knowledge of available
processes and offers this to the designer during certain
stages of the design process. Will try to find the most
suitable method of production for a product by taking into
consideration economics, environmental concerns,
materials, availability, etc. Production specialists provide
advice on production planning and tooling for
manufacture. They liaise with engineers and material
technologists to ensure that the product is produced as
efficiently as possible.
Marketing team - Carries out research on what consumers’
wants/needs are. Compiles findings and presents to the
designer. Is involved in the advertising and promotion. Aids
with sales of the product.
NB candidates must refer to the influence specialists have
on each other’s decisions to achieve marks in the top two
bands
