Core technical principles

Designers should consider usability when designing so their products are inclusive, easy to use and do not cause discomfort, pain or even injury. This is made easier by advancements in technology.

Companies are trying to save money, improve products, develop new materials and become more efficient. New technologies are developed to positively impact the manufacturing industry and society.

Energy generation and storage have a huge global impact on our lives - from decisions about the use of fossil fuels and their effect on our environment, to the development of cleaner, more modern ways to create and store energy.

Developments in science and engineering lead to changes in materials technology. There are a range of modern materials with impressive properties, as well as traditional ones such as wood or metal.

The systems approach to designing with programmable electronic devices is vital in understanding how today’s electronic devices are programmed together with how they operate in the real world.

Mechanical devices can change one form of force to another. All moving parts work on some sort of mechanism.

All materials have physical and working properties. Physical properties are the traits a material has before it is used, whereas working properties are how the material behaves when it is manipulated.