Informing Designs Decisions

Question 1

What is planned obsolescence ?

Answer 1

The practice of designing products that will have a limited life cycle and will become obsolete and require replacing
Example: disposable razor blades

Question 2

What is the most notable example of planned obsolescence ?

Answer 2

Smart phones
- constantly need software updates and they are soon replaced by new better performing models

Question 3

What’s the disadvantage or issue with planed obsolescence ?

Answer 3

Bad for the environment as it creates more waste

Question 4

What is design for disassembly ?

Answer 4

A concept that when a product has reached the end of its life it can be taken apart and parts reused or recycled

Example: a stool could be unscrewed to allow for the plastic seat and steel legs to be recycled

Question 5

What is environmental design ?

Answer 5

Designing products by ensuring minimal impact on the environment

Question 6

What are the four methods designers are taking to increase environmental consideration ?

Answer 6

• making products from renewable materials such as paper states instead of plastics to create less waste
• transporting material more efficiently to produce less green house gases
• cutting down the usage of finite resources
• using products made from biodegradable materials