Related concepts (examples) flashcards

Topic 2: Related concepts (examples)

Name the related concepts the MYP Design brief gives as examples

Adaptation, ergonomics, sustainability and innovation. Related concepts belong to the discipline and drive specific design decisions.

Adaptation versus development

Adaptation changes a design or borrowed idea for a different user, purpose or setting (wide-grip cutlery for limited hand strength). Development improves a design over versions for the same purpose.

What is ergonomics?

Fitting products and tasks to the people using them. Physical ergonomics: sizes. Physiological: body capability and comfort. Psychological: perception and feeling. Anthropometrics are the body measurements used.

Which percentile do you design for: clearance, reach and adjustable?

Clearance (doorway, handle opening): 95th percentile, so the large user fits. Reach (shelf, switch): 5th percentile, so the small user can reach. Adjustable: 5th to 95th. Avoid the 50th for everything.

Invention versus innovation

Invention creates something new. Innovation is a new idea or combination that is put into successful use (wheels added to suitcases). Incremental innovation improves step by step; radical innovation changes how a task is done.

What is a product life cycle?

Every stage of a product's life: raw materials, manufacture, distribution, use and end of life. Cradle to grave assesses impact from extraction to disposal; cradle to cradle designs end-of-life materials to become new raw materials.

What are the 6 Rs of sustainable design?

Rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle.

What are planned obsolescence and design for disassembly?

Planned obsolescence: designing a product to become unusable or outdated sooner than necessary. Design for disassembly: joining parts so they separate easily for repair or recycling (a battery held by screws, not glue).