Informing design decisions
It is important for designers to consider a wide range of perspectives when designing a product and to consider the many scenarios that affect the product’s life.
Planned obsolescence
Deliberately giving a product a short life span. is the practice of designing products that will have a limited The four stages a product goes through in a market - launch, growth, maturity and decline. and that will become obsolete and require to be replaced, such as disposable razors. Modern mobile phones are a good example as they need continual software upgrades and they are soon replaced by new better-performing models. Planned obsolescence is generally bad for the environment as it creates more waste.
Design for maintenance
Ensuring a product lasts long through parts that can be repaired or replaced easily. is a term used when designing products that are more Hardwearing. and have spare parts available to mend and maintain them. This is only possible with low-tech or Sections that can be moved into different arrangements. products that don’t require a great deal of skill to repair. For example, a push bike can be regularly maintained, with parts such as pedals and chains being replaced when they are damaged.
Design for disassembly
Ensuring a product can be taken apart for responsible disposable such as recycling or reusing. is a concept that when a product has reached the end of its life it can be taken apart and parts To use a product again rather than replacing with a new one - one of the 6 Rs. or Used materials that have been reprocessed to make new materials.. For instance, a stool could be unscrewed to allow the plastic seat and steel legs to be recycled.
Environmental design
Designing products by ensuring minimal impact on the environment. is something designers are increasingly considering by:
- making products from Inexhaustible and replaceable. materials, such as paper straws instead of plastic, to create less waste material
- transporting materials in a more efficient way to cut down on emissions of The gases responsible for global warming and climate change - carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).
- cutting down the use of Resource that can only be used once and is in limited supply. For example, oil is a finite resource. for use in production and for energy supply, improving the overall environmental impact of a product
- using products made from Material that can be broken down in the environment by microorganisms., such as plates and cutlery, that will decompose a lot quicker in landfill
Image caption, Paper straws use renewable materials
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Designers who are conscious of the The four stages a product goes through in a market - launch, growth, maturity and decline. will consider all aspects of their design, from the very start and manufacturing stage, to consumer use and where it will go at the end of its life. Planning this at the design stage takes into account how they can design with the environment in mind.
