Paper Two: Socio-economic influences

Question 1

Socio-economic Influences Meaning

Answer 1

Provides the understanding of how society and the economy interact. Enabling designers to recognise accurate development and marketing opportunities.

• Technology companies marketing expensive devices for consumers who spend
• Increase in popularity of furniture stores selling high volume, budget furniture
• Demographic trends, couples starting families later than previously, larger numbers of young people going to university

Question 2

socio-economic influences: pre-ww1 (characteristics)

Answer 2

• most furniture handmade
• natural materials (wood)
• build to last (once in a lifetime purchase)
• expensive
• luxurious

Question 3

socio-economic influences: post ww1 (characteristics)

Answer 3

§- rise of mass manufacture (increase in industry)

• use of metal tubing (replace wood)
• bauhaus movement:
• unite art & industrial design
• encourage experimentations eg wassily chair

Question 4

socio-economic influences: ww2 utility furniture (characteristics)

Answer 4

• shortage of resources (food & materials) lead to rationing
• timber shortage for furniture worsened by property lost to bombing
• furniture rationing: committee set up > resources used in optimised manner
• very simple products
• strong, no decor
• traditional methods & materials
• influenced by William Morris

Question 5

socio-economic influences: post ww2 (characteristics)

Answer 5

• development of polymers (new moulding techniques, PP chair released)
• american designers: more streamlined products
• British disliked American design: Council of Industrial Design: training, assessment and information to improve standards of design (avoid getting left behind)
• development of transistor > miniaturised radios & audio equipment
• wider variety of furniture
• development of knock down furniture
• affordable
• easy for consumers to replace when fashions change
• rise of consumerism