Amiria Gale To become an effective designer, you must understand how the scale of production in product design (individual, small batch, and mass production) impacts the manufacturing process. Understanding these systems of production, as well becoming familiar with terms such continuous production and just-in-time manufacturing, helps you to make better design decisions, anticipate manufacturing challenges, and grasp … Read more
High school Design & Technology students are often asked to identify and name different features of control systems, such as input devices, processing elements, output devices, feedback, and amplification. This article summarises this content and helps students prepare for examination questions on this topic. Products that use electricity or other forms of energy to carry … Read more
Built in obsolescence means when manufacturers plan for a product to become obsolete/unusable by a certain time. Ways of creating obsolescence Examples of planned obsolescence in graphic products Why products might be designed with built-in obsolescence
Many high school Design and Technology students complete practical projects in a school workshop. In this environment, students need to be aware of health and safety protocols and risk assessment procedures used within a school workshop. This includes understanding how to correctly use of hand and machine tools, identify hazards, and take relevant precautions as … Read more
Orthographic drawing is a planar drawing method that shows shows 2D ‘views’ of the object from different angles. It is a technical drawing method that is usually drawn to scale and may include dimensions. Common views are: These views are separated by ‘reference plane’ lines. Reference lines should be drawn as long dash, two short … Read more
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[organise and plan in detail the production of the selected solution – IG] [produce a scale drawing to enable a visual model to be made – IG] [produce high-quality working drawings which include full details for manufacture specify fittings and finishes, and provide a material list – IG] produce a production plan which includes the … Read more
Design & Technology students often evaluate products in terms of environmental impact and sustainability. When doing so, students should consider the effect of the environment on the product (this might involve site-specific factors, such as sun exposure, wind patterns, temperature fluctuations, noise levels, and so on) as well as the product’s impact on the environment. … Read more
Quality Control (QC) systems track the quality of a product to ensure consistency, meet customer expectations, and maintain brand standards. Systems aim to lead to improved product design. [Include reference to legal requirements and standards, such as the use of non-toxic paints or electricity safety] Why manufacturers make use of standardised components Examples of quality … Read more
Designers have an obligation to ensure their creations not only function as intended but also safeguard the well-being of manufacturers, workers, and users throughout the product’s entire lifecycle. This article guides students through the process of assessing a product in terms of health and safety, identifying potential hazards and risks at each stage in the … Read more