How do social, cultural, ethical and inclusive issues shape the products designers make?
Social, cultural, ethical and inclusive issues in design: how products reflect and are influenced by cultural and social factors, the role of inclusive and accessible design, ethical issues such as planned obsolescence, and the influence of design movements and designers.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE Design and Technology (C600) on social, cultural, ethical and inclusive issues in design: cultural influence, inclusive and accessible design, planned obsolescence, and the influence of design movements.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas C600 expects you to understand the social, cultural, ethical and inclusive issues that shape design: how products reflect cultural and social factors, the role of inclusive and accessible design, ethical issues such as planned obsolescence, and the influence of design movements and designers. In the written exam this is tested by defining inclusive design with features and by discussing ethical issues such as planned obsolescence in a balanced way.
Social and cultural influence
A product designed for one culture may not suit another: colours, symbols, language and styles carry different meanings, and customs affect how a product is used. Designers research the target market's culture so the product is appropriate and appealing, which is part of designing for real users.
Inclusive and accessible design
Inclusive design widens who can use a product and is socially fair. Features include large, clearly labelled controls, lever handles and taps (usable without a tight grip), step-free or low-level access, and high-contrast or tactile markings. It overlaps with ergonomics but focuses on not excluding people with reduced mobility, sight, hearing or strength.
Ethical issues and design movements
Planned obsolescence is a classic ethical debate. For: it sustains companies and jobs and drives innovation through new models. Against: it is wasteful and unethical, creating unnecessary waste and resource use and costing consumers, conflicting with sustainability and the 6 Rs. A balanced answer weighs both.
Design movements and designers (such as the clean lines of modernism, or named designers and brands) influence the style and approach of new products. Studying them helps designers understand why products look and work as they do.
Try this
Q1. Give one feature that makes a product more inclusive for a user with reduced grip. [1 mark]
- Cue. A lever-style handle or tap (usable without a tight grip), or large easy-press controls.
Q2. State one argument against planned obsolescence. [1 mark]
- Cue. It is wasteful, using resources and creating waste unnecessarily (and costs consumers).
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas C600 20184 marksExplain what is meant by inclusive design, and give two features that make a product more inclusive.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark question, marks for defining inclusive design and for two valid features.
Inclusive (accessible) design means designing products so they can be used by as many people as possible, including users of different ages and abilities, such as people with reduced mobility, sight or strength, without needing special adaptation.
Two inclusive features: large, clearly labelled controls that are easy to see and operate; lever-style handles or taps that can be used without a tight grip; step-free or low-level access for wheelchair users; and high-contrast or tactile markings for users with low vision.
Markers reward a clear definition (usable by as many people as possible, including different abilities) and two genuine features that widen who can use the product. A vague "easy to use" with no features caps the mark.
Eduqas C600 20214 marksExplain what planned obsolescence is, and discuss one argument for and one against it.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark question, marks for the definition and a balanced argument.
Planned obsolescence is designing a product to have a limited useful life, so it becomes outdated, unfashionable or unrepairable and the consumer has to replace it (for example non-replaceable batteries, frequent model updates, parts that wear out).
Argument for: it keeps companies in business and drives innovation, as new models bring improvements and sustain jobs and the economy.
Argument against: it is wasteful and unethical, creating unnecessary waste and resource use and costing consumers money, which conflicts with sustainability and the 6 Rs.
Markers reward the definition (designed-in limited life forcing replacement) and one developed argument each way (economic/innovation for; waste/ethics against). A one-sided answer with no balance is capped.
Related dot points
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Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology (C600) specification — WJEC Eduqas (2017)