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Design
Quick questions on Design factors - SQA Higher Design and Manufacture
10short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is function and performance?Show answer
The product must do its job, and do it well. Function is the core purpose (a kettle boils water); performance is how well it does it (how fast it boils, how little energy it uses). These are usually the first factors a specification fixes.
What are aesthetics?Show answer
How the product looks and feels: its form, proportion, colour, texture and finish. Aesthetics must suit the target market - a children's toy, a kitchen appliance and a luxury watch follow very different visual rules. Good aesthetics help a product sell against competitors.
What are ergonomics and anthropometrics?Show answer
Ergonomics is fitting the product to the user so it is comfortable, safe and easy to use; anthropometrics is the body-measurement data (heights, reaches, grip sizes) that ergonomics relies on. Designers use percentile data, usually designing for the 5th to 95th percentile, so the product suits the great majority of users.
What is the market?Show answer
The product must suit its target users and the price point they will pay. Market research identifies who the users are, what they want and what competitors offer, and the design is shaped to fit.
What is economics and cost?Show answer
The product must be cheap enough to make and to buy. Cost covers materials, manufacture, labour, packaging and transport. Cost limits the choice of materials and processes and is one of the strongest constraints on most designs.
What is ease of manufacture?Show answer
The product must be makeable with the available processes at the planned scale of production. Designing for manufacture means choosing forms, materials and joints that suit the chosen process and avoid waste or difficulty.
What is durability and safety?Show answer
The product must last for its expected life and must be safe to use, meeting relevant standards. Safety can never be traded away, even when other factors are squeezed.
What is q1?Show answer
Explain how aesthetics and the market influence the design of a luxury watch. [4 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain how anthropometric data is used in the design of an office chair. [4 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain why cost and ease of manufacture limit a designer's choice of materials. [3 marks]