The wider impact of design - social, moral and ethical issues, inclusive design, standards and legislation, the consequences of consumerism, and the role of enterprise and the designer's responsibilities.

What this dot point is asking

WJEC wants you to discuss the wider responsibilities of a designer: the social, moral and ethical consequences of design, inclusive and ergonomic design, the standards and legislation products must meet, the problems of consumerism and obsolescence, and the role of enterprise. The exam asks you to discuss these issues for a named product and to define inclusive design. You need a range of issues, each explained with reasons.

The answer

Social, moral and ethical responsibilities

Inclusive design

It matters because it gives more people independent access, avoids excluding groups, widens the market, and is increasingly expected or required. Easy-grip tools and lever handles are everyday examples.

Ergonomics and anthropometrics

Ergonomics is designing products to suit the people who use them, so they are comfortable, efficient and safe. Anthropometric data (measurements of the human body, often used at the 5th to 95th percentile range) ensures a product fits its users. Together they underpin inclusive design.

Standards and legislation

Consumerism and obsolescence

Planned obsolescence - designing a product to wear out, fail or become unfashionable so it is replaced - drives sales but wastes resources and creates waste, raising an ethical concern. Consumerism (continual buying of new products) has social and environmental costs the designer should weigh, favouring durability, repairability and timeless design.

Enterprise

Enterprise is the commercial side: identifying a market need, costing the product, pricing, and judging whether it is viable. A designer works within these realities; a brilliant product that cannot be made and sold profitably will not reach users. Responsible enterprise balances commercial success with social and environmental responsibility.

Examples in context

Example 1. A lever door handle. A lever can be opened with an elbow or a closed fist, so it works for someone with arthritis, full hands or a child, as well as everyone else - inclusive design that benefits all users and is now standard in public buildings partly through legislation.

Example 2. A repairable, standards-marked appliance. Designing an appliance to be durable, repairable and to carry safety marks resists planned obsolescence, protects users and builds trust, showing the social, ethical and commercial sides of design working together.

Try this

Q1. Define planned obsolescence and state one reason it is criticised. [2 marks]

• Cue. Designing a product to wear out, fail or date quickly so it is replaced; it is criticised for wasting resources and creating unnecessary waste (and for being unfair to consumers).

Q2. State what anthropometric data is and how a designer uses it. [2 marks]

• Cue. Measurements of the human body; a designer uses them to size a product so it fits and suits its users comfortably and safely, supporting ergonomics and inclusive design.