2.3 Technology and cultural changes Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is Socio-economics
Socio-economics is the trends and changes that are from the interaction between society and the economy, whether that be technological changes or demographic changes e.g. couples starting families later in life
What were the Socio Economic Influences of Post WWI
In Germany, after the First World War, there was a demand for affordable products that could be easily manufactured
The German design school (Bauhaus) encouraged experimentation and the use of new materials and techniques to improve on traditional furniture making
Marcel Breuer encouraged experimentation with the use of steel tubing for furniture used in his iconic wassily chair. This chair is an iconic representation that inherit strength in steel tubing can improve on traditional techniques and utilise industrial machinery
What were the Socio Economic Influences of WW11
In Britain, during the Second World War, furniture was scarce and limited due to rationing and the destruction of houses from bombing raids
A committee, led by Gordon Russell, was set up to ensure that scarce resources were used in an optimal way
‘Utility furniture’ was made to ensure that basic, simply designed products were available in response to the shortages being experienced. Utility furniture was initially only available to newly married couples and those who has lost their homes
The state control of furniture, footwear and clothing was driven by the need to conserve resources and were relaxed due to demand for decoration and style after the war
What were the Socio Economic Influences of Contemporary times
The Design Council is a programme of training, assessment and information to improve standards of design and raise an awareness of the impact of design on our lives
Flat pack or knock-down furniture is easily transported, reasonably priced, fashionable furniture that is primarily composed of man made boards that cannot be recycled
Consumers are increasingly drawn to decorative or innovative products that use new materials and technologies to stand out
What are nano materials/nanotechnology and some of their advantages
Nanomaterials - Nanotechnology involves the precise manipulation of nanomaterials which are created in the atomic and molecular size ranges
‘Nanoelectronic’ devices can be way smaller and have greater capacity than current microelectronic devices
Nano materials can be used as additives for sunscreen and cosmetics
Coating materials can be achievable by having an atomically thin layer of coating
Creating nanostructures can be achieved for medical applications
Disadvantages are that they are not recyclable and potentially toxic
What was the change in workers due to new methods of manufacture
Highly skilled manual operators are now being replaced by fewer skilled technicians, able to work with computer based manufacturing
What are the 3 new methods of manufacture
Electrohydraulic forming is a single stage forming of a complex sheet metal part using a single sided former using the action of a shockwave generated by and electrical spark. This process is likely to become more adopted due to only one side mould being required, it can produce deep complex shapes, it can deal with a range of materials and thicknesses, it is a single stage and fast process and that the material is evenly distributed
Fibre injection moulding is a recent augmentation of the traditional injection moulding where reinforcing fibre roving is incorporated into the polymer being moulded maintaining its strength, stiffness and weight while making the product more economical and offering greater sustainability due to the reuse of carbon fabric off cuts
Physical vapour deposition is a method of producing a thin film of material or coating products as an alternate method to electroplating. The method world by heating the base material until it vaporises and then condenses in a vacuum onto the target material
What is are the 3 impacts of microelectronics on manufacturing practice
Electronic documents can be easily stored and shared
Computer-aided design, rending and virtual testing capability
Automated devices and machines to manufacture and check outputs
What are the 6 key points of microelectronics
Basic electrical batteries and circuits had been in existence since the start of the nineteenth century century
Vacuum tubes (thermionic valves) to control and amplify the flow of current created a breakthrough in electronics brining the development of radios, TVs and computers. They were however large and consumed a lot of energy meaning they had a limited effectiveness
Semiconducting devices such as the first transistor crested were pivotal to the development of the information technology we rely on. They realised that the properties of silicone could be employed to create switches and amplifiers.
Integrated circuits consist of multiple transistors and other components formed on one silicone chip. This miniaturization lead to the term microelectric and many more products being available
Now over 10 billion transistors can be incorporated into just one device, making it possible for mobile phones and computers to proliferate
Microelectronics provides the essential components to support the technological developments during the second half of the twentieth century and the connection of the internet and the WWW
What are 6 Other key technological developments
The development of computers
Establishment and refinement of the internet
Data storage on magnetic tape and films, optical discs, miniature hard drives and now cloud storage
High speed communication using fibre optic cables and wireless networks
Long lasting lithium and rechargeable Ni-Mh batteries p219
LCD displays and capacitive touch screens p218-9
What are the 3 advantages of the Internet of Things (IoT)
Networking is available by the IoT through connecting multiple devices together over networks, improving manufacturing
Supporting Just-in-Time (JiT) manufacturing through increased ability to track stock
Sense and respond to planned e.g. maintenance or unplanned changes e.g. faults
What is the difference between social and moral/ethical issues
Social issues are those that affect the environment, health, poverty, discrimination and unemployment
Moral and ethical issues are related to people’s beliefs such as what they believe is right and wrong
What is Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and 3 points associated with it
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a self regulatory scheme which gives companies a framework to ensure there social responsibility and sustainability is optimised
Products developed for military applications are over criticised as having major detrimental social effects due to the negative aspects of conflict
A balanced judgement requires consideration of both the +ve and -ve effects of products and systems from different viewpoints
Sustainable materials such as PLA are growing in popularity due to being biodegradable
What is the issue solved by fairtrade
Growers and handicraft producers in developing countries can often be exploited and dealt with unfairly when trading their products, this can lead to them and their families living in poverty, even when they are a vital element in the supply of food
What is Fairtrade and its impacts for workers and companies
Fairtrade sets social, economic and environmental standards for both the producers and companies
For producers the standards include protection of workers rights and the environment
For companies they include a fair minimum trade price and an additional Fairtrade Premium to invest in developmental projects
What are the Economic, Environmental and Social benefits of Fairtrade
Economic: Improves the economic situation of many suppliers
Environmental: Allows for development and consideration of the environment, energy, waste management, soil etc
Social: Allows for social development projects and increased quality of life, rights, equality and educational/medical facilities
What does the fairtrade mark mean
The FAIRTRADE mark certifies that the product has attained standards and increase consumer awareness of the benefits of trade justice
What is the idea behind Culturally acceptable products
Global trading of products requires designers to be aware of the culturally diverse nature of their markets If potential customers are offended or alienated then there will be a financial cost
What are 2 considerations for Culturally Acceptable Products
The characteristics of some products may have unwanted cultural implications such as difference in colour meaning e.g. black meaning death for UK but wealth and prosperity for Eastern cultures
Appreciation of others’ religious beliefs, traditions and customs e.g. The consideration of the cultural importance of the 3 stone cooking stove with a symbolic meaning for the 3 stones
What are some of the 14 Products that could assist with health and social problems problems
Child friendly litter bins are designed to encourage children to adopt good habits to reduce potential waste and littering in the future
‘Black box’ devices used to actively monitor driving data such as time, location and speed enabling a constant check on the standard of driving
Scanning devices at pub, clubs and airports to check for illegal drugs by swabbing the suspects hand to check for illicit substances
Wind-up radio to help transport vital information without the need for battery replacements
Gravity light which uses stored gravitational energy to power a light helping reduce the requirement of fuel for families in Kenya
Homemade concrete compost bin to produce compost from organic waste to improve crop growth
Devices to improve the health and wellbeing of people having to empty sewage pits
Sophisticated artificial limbs which are nerve linked and micro electronically controlled
Surgery using robotic devices which have high precision devices to leave no scarring and reduce infections
Artificial organs and implants to replace the function of organs such as the heart or ear
Solar powered cookers, water distillation equipment and refrigerators to work independently of electrical supply
Clothing for people in other countries providing humanitarian aid and improving sustainability
Flat-pack, tool-less build shelter for being erected without the need for tools and being well insulated
Shipping containers, adapted for use in mobile hospitals and maternity units to provide life saving care that is easily transported using standard lorries and ships
