New &
Emerging Technology
Below is a collection of revision 'flashcards' that cover the exact key terms found in the UK GCSE curriculum Design and Technology syllabus. Take your time to learn and remember the terms on each flash card. Real world examples are also provided for use in written exam answers!
Industry & Enterprise
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Crowd Funding
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Virtual Marketing & Showrooming
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Co-operative Businesses
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Fair Trade
Glossary of Key Terms
Crowdfunding involves gathering funds from a large group of people, usually through online platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe. For instance, someone might use crowdfunding to gather money for launching a new product, financing a creative project like a film or music album, or even covering personal expenses such as medical bills or educational fees.
Virtual marketing refers to the use of digital platforms and technologies to promote products or services to potential customers. This can include online advertising, social media marketing, email campaigns, search engine optimization (SEO), and other digital marketing strategies aimed at reaching and engaging audiences in the virtual space.
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Virtual showrooming is a concept where consumers browse and explore products or services online before making a purchase decision. It involves using virtual or digital platforms, such as websites, mobile apps, or virtual reality (VR) experiences, to view and interact with products or services remotely. This allows consumers to gather information, compare options, and make informed purchasing decisions without physically visiting a physical store.
A cooperative business is an organization owned and operated by its members for their mutual benefit. Members typically pool resources, such as finances or labor, to achieve common goals, which can include economic, social, or cultural objectives. Each member has an equal say in the decision-making process, with profits or benefits distributed among members based on their participation or patronage.
Fair trade is a trading partnership focused on achieving greater equity in international trade. It promotes fair prices, better working conditions, and environmental sustainability. For example, a fair trade coffee cooperative in Colombia ensures that coffee farmers receive a fair price for their crops, enabling them to invest in their communities, improve working conditions, and protect the environment.
Real World Example:
The Fidget Cube!
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This simple product was developed in 2012 by a pair of brothers in Colorado. They created a company called Antsy Labs and aimed to create a simple toy that would help with stress fidgeting and providing a calming and satisfying experience. Users can click, scroll and flip tiny switches in a super satisfying way.
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They uploaded their idea and design to Kickstarter and through the use of crowd-funding, were able to earn a whopping $6.4 million dollars from backers!
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People & Society
Glossary of Key Terms
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Technology Push
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Market Pull
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Culture
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Technology Push refers to the development and introduction of new technologies or innovations that drive the creation of new products or services, regardless of consumer demand. Advancements in technology or scientific research often lead to the invention or discovery of new materials or solutions, which then inspire the creation of products or services to use these technologies. An example of technology push could be the development of advanced materials like Corning's Gorilla Glass, which has lead to the creation of new mobile device screens that are scratch resistant and very tough. Due to this new glass technology, most phone companies adapted their product designs to use Gorilla Glass.
Market Pull refers to the demand for a product or service generated by consumer needs, preferences, or trends. In essence, it's when the market drives the development or production of a particular product or service based on the needs or desires of consumers. For example, the popularity of eco-friendly products might create a market pull for sustainable packaging solutions, prompting companies to develop and offer such alternatives to meet consumer demand.
Culture means considering the values, beliefs, and behaviors of the people who will use the product. It's about understanding what's important to them and designing products that reflect their preferences and lifestyles. For example, if you're designing a smartphone app, you would think about how different cultural groups might use it and tailor the design to fit their needs and expectations. You would also make sure not to include any design elements in the product that would offend certain cultures. This makes the product more relatable and appealing to its users.
Real World Example:
Apple Vision Pro
Virtual & Mixed Reality has been growing in popularity over the past five years. With companies like Facebook's Meta creating the Meta Quest 3 VR headset, consumers are now showing a greater demand for better virtual reality experiences. VR is transforming the digital landscape beyond just gaming and entertainment, with the arrival of spatial computing and being able to do work tasks in VR.
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Due to the market pull, huge companies like Apple are now taking VR products seriously and have developed a state-of-art VR headset that incorporates many technologies to meet consumer's needs in VR and Mixed Reality. They are now competing with Meta in the VR market.
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Sustainability & the Environment
Glossary of Key Terms
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Sustainability
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Product life cycle
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Finite and Non-Finite resources
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Global warming
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The 6 Rs of Sustainability
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Landfills
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Biodegradable materials
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Sustainability is crucial in product design because it helps minimize negative impacts on the environment and society. By designing products with sustainable materials, energy-efficient processes, and end-of-life considerations (such as recyclability or biodegradability), designers can reduce resource depletion, pollution, and waste generation. Sustainable product design also promotes ethical and responsible practices throughout the product lifecycle, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing, distribution, and disposal. Ultimately, integrating sustainability into product design helps create a more environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable future for all.
A Product Life Cycle is a concept that describes the stages a product goes through from its introduction to its eventual removal from the market. These stages typically include introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. Understanding the product life cycle helps businesses make decisions regarding product development, marketing, and resource allocation. Businesses may want their product to last for decades or they may intentionally design the product to last only a few years so they can sell newer and more updated products. An example of this concept is Meta's Oculus Quest VR headsets which are designed to last a few years before a newer version is released. Older models of the VR headset will eventually end their product life cycle and be removed from sales.
Finite sources of energy are natural resources that exist in limited quantities and cannot be replenished within a human lifetime or within a reasonable timeframe. These sources will eventually be exhausted or depleted if consumed at a faster rate than they are naturally replenished. Examples of finite sources of energy include fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as uranium for nuclear power generation. Once these resources are depleted, they cannot be readily replaced. You will learn more about these sources in the next chapter.
Non-finite sources of energy, also known as renewable energy sources, are natural resources that are continuously replenished and can be used indefinitely without depleting them. These sources are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Examples of non-finite sources of energy include solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, hydro-electric energy (energy from flowing water) and biomass energy (organic matter used for energy production). You will learn more about these sources in the next chapter.
Global warming is the increase in Earth's average surface temperature caused primarily by human activities, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat and leading to climate changes such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events. The primary gas responsible for global warming is carbon dioxide, along with increased levels of methane and nitrous oxide from pollution.
The 6Rs of Sustainability are principles aimed at promoting environmentally responsible behavior and reducing waste. Sticking to these principles helps consumers, designers and businesses to contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious society. Product designers must consider and plan for each of the six factors when developing products.
Reduce: Minimize consumption and the generation of waste by using fewer resources and producing less waste.
Reuse: Use products or materials multiple times instead of discarding them after a single use, thus extending their lifespan.
Recycle: Convert waste materials into new products or materials to prevent them from ending up in landfills and conserve natural resources.
Rethink: Reevaluate consumption patterns, lifestyles, and business practices to identify ways to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability.
Refuse: Refuse unnecessary or excessive consumption of goods or services, particularly those that contribute to environmental degradation such as single-use plastics.
Repair: Restore or fix products rather than discarding them when they are damaged or broken, thus extending their usefulness and reducing waste.
A landfill is an area of land where waste materials are placed and buried. It is a common method of waste disposal, particularly for non-recyclable or non-biodegradable waste. Landfills attempt to minimize environmental impacts, with measures such as lining to prevent contamination of soil and groundwater and methods for controlling gas emissions, such as methane, which is produced as organic waste decomposes. However, landfills can still pose environmental and health risks if not properly managed and grow to extremely large sizes and even mountains of trash.
Biodegradable materials are substances that can be broken down and decomposed by natural biological processes, such as bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, into simpler, non-toxic compounds like water, carbon dioxide, and organic matter. These materials are capable of breaking down and returning to the environment relatively quickly without leaving behind harmful residues or pollutants. Examples of biodegradable materials include certain types of food waste, paper, cardboard, wood, and some plastics made from plant-based sources. Biodegradable materials play a significant role in sustainable waste management practices as they can help reduce the accumulation of waste in landfills and reduce environmental pollution.
Real World Example:
Apex
Regional Landfill,
Las Vegas, USA.
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The largest landfill in the world is found in Las Vegas, Nevada. The landfill takes up a huge 2,200 acres of land and holds about 50 million tons of product waste.
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Some countries actually ship their waste to landfills in other countries due to limited space and unfair waste management practices. Using the 6Rs of Sustainability can greatly reduce these massive landfill zones around the world.
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Production Techniques & Systems
Glossary of Key Terms
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Automation
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Computer Aided Design (CAD)
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Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
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Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)
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Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS)
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Just in Time production (JIT)
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Lean manufacturing & Lead Times
Automation in industries involves utilizing technology and machinery to perform tasks with minimal human involvement, aiming to streamline operations, boost efficiency, and reduce labor costs. Examples include robotic assembly lines in automobile manufacturing, automated conveyor belts in warehouses, and computer-controlled systems for inventory management.
CAD, or Computer-Aided Design, is software utilized by designers, engineers, and architects to create and modify digital representations of products and structures. Examples of CAD software include Adobe Illustrator, Onshape, and Blender, which enhance creativity, accuracy, speed, and collaboration in the design process.
CAM, or Computer-Aided Manufacturing, is the use of computer software to automate and control manufacturing processes. It involves converting digital designs created in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software into instructions that machines can follow to produce physical components or products. CAM software enables precise control over machining tools such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, routers, and 3D printers, allowing for efficient and accurate production of parts with minimal manual intervention. CAM plays a crucial role in modern manufacturing by improving workflows, reducing production time, and improving the quality of finished products.
CNC machining, or Computer Numerical Control machining, is a manufacturing process that uses computer-controlled machines to produce precise and complex parts from various materials such as metal, plastic, or wood. In CNC machining, the cutting tools are guided by numerical codes generated from digital designs created in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software. CNC machining is widely used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and prototyping due to its ability to produce parts with accurate measurements and complicated shapes.
A Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS) is a high-tech factory that can make many products without needing to be reconfigured for different versions and updates of the product being made. It uses computers to control machines and automation robots, so it can quickly switch between making different products and tasks. This system is very adaptable and efficient in manufacturing, helping companies respond to changes in demand and to make custom products easily. Machines and robots can be placed in certain areas of the production line that perform a specific task. These areas are called 'Cells'. Cells can be changed and updated if a new task or process is needed in that area of the factory.
Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing is a production strategy where goods are produced or delivered exactly when they are needed, minimizing inventory holding costs and waste. In JIT manufacturing, raw materials and components arrive at the production facility only when they are required for assembly, and finished products are completed just in time to meet customer demand. This approach aims to reduce lead times, improve efficiency, and streamline production processes by eliminating excess inventory and associated costs.
Lean Manufacturing is a production philosophy focused on minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency in manufacturing processes. It involves continuously identifying overproduction, waiting times, unnecessary transportation, excess inventory, unnecessary motion, defects, and even staff with talent that may be overlooked. By streamlining operations and optimizing resources, lean manufacturing aims to deliver higher quality products at lower costs with shorter lead times, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and competitiveness.
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Lead time refers to the duration of time between the start of a process, such as a customer placing an order, and the completion or delivery of the final product or service. It includes the time required for various stages of production such as processing, production, transportation, and any other activities necessary to fulfill the order to the customer. Lead time is an important measure in manufacturing, logistics, and service industries as it impacts planning, scheduling, and customer satisfaction.
Real World Example:
Tesla Automotive Engineering
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Tesla is one of the most famous electric vehicle manufacturing companies today. To meet consumer demand for car orders, Tesla use high-tech automated machinery and robotic arms to construct most components of their cars, including interior and exterior parts and painting.
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Though most jobs in the Tesla factory are handled by robots, some tasks are too difficult for a robot to do consistently such as installing wiring or flexible piping. In these cases, professional humans are still needed.
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Critical Evaluation of New Tech
Glossary of Key Terms
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Planned obsolescence
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Planned obsolescence is a strategy where manufacturers intentionally design products to become outdated or non-functional after a certain period, encouraging consumers to purchase new replacements. This practice can take different forms, such as making products with limited lifespans, using non-replaceable parts, or introducing new features that make older models obsolete. Examples include smartphones with sealed batteries that degrade over time and software updates that render older devices incompatible.
Real World Example:
Samsung Mobile Phones​
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Many mobile phone companies such as Samsung are very strategic in planning their product's life cycles. At the end of the day, if Samsung are able to sell a phone that lasts ten years, they will lose that customer for ten years. To maintain steady sales, Samsung release new phones every year with added features and software.
When was the last time you felt your device was outdated? New software updates, features and outdated parts force users to update their product models. This planned obsolescence is a common strategy for product companies to maintain profit.
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