Amiria Gale Babies, toddlers, and young children have needs that are not always considered by designers. This can mean certain products present safety risks or are unsuitable for families with young children. This articles outlines ways in which designers can be more accommodating of very young users. Opportunities for Product Modification
Many people face daily challenges with fine motor control due to various conditions, such as arthritis, which causes joint stiffness and reduced dexterity. This can make simple tasks like opening jars or buttoning clothes difficult. Similarly, individuals using wheelchairs, managing tremors from Parkinson’s disease, or recovering from stroke also encounter products designed without their needs … Read more
Cambridge AS Design & Technology students produce a coursework project that improves an existing product. This article includes a list of ways that products can be modified to be more inclusive for users with deafness and hearing impairments. Boost visual communication: Use vibration to communicate Make audio adjustable Reduce background noise The core aim is … Read more
Thermoplastics that generally accept finishes well: Thermoplastics that are notoriously difficult to finish:
Cambridge Design and Technology students have to be familiar with how to cut, shape and form plastic using a range of different methods. This article introduces various plastic forming processes, including vacuum forming, blow moulding, injection moulding, line bending and so on, helping students prepare for examination questions on this topic. Note: A felt pen … Read more
Visual impairments make using ordinary products much more difficult. This article lists ways that products can be modified to be more inclusive of users with blindness, visual impairment, or colour blindness. Globally, 39 million people are blind, and an additional 246 million experience moderate to severe visual impairment (WHO, 2021). These impairments severely affect navigation, … Read more
Thick and thin line technique is a way to enhance the presentation of design drawings. It makes sketches ‘pop out’ from the page and more three-dimensional. This article introduces students to this technique and contains a free printable worksheet to help revise this material. Rules for thick and thin line technique It is sensible to … Read more
High school Design & Technology students often have to be familiar with a range of appropriate timber finishing techniques and surface treatments and understand how to choose between different wood finishing methods. This article summarises this topic and concludes with sample examination questions. What is meant by timber finishing? (A definition) Timber finishing refers to … Read more
Design & Technology students have to know how to build strong structures that will actually function in the real world. This involves a knowledge of strategies for strengthening joints through the use of triangular trusses, bracing, ribs, flanges, and so on. This article summarises this content and provides sample examination questions to help students revise … Read more
Cambridge AS / A Level Design & Technology students must understand how emerging technologies, such as 3D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and virtual reality (VR) impact on designing and manufacturing products. This article summarises these ideas. Emerging technologies include: Emerging technologies are often in early stages of adoption and characterised by rapid evolution and … Read more