Technology Topic 2 (B)

The term "product life cycle" refers to the various stages that a product goes through from its introduction in the market, to its growth in popularity, then reaching maturity, and finally declining in sales. This concept can be applied to an item of clothing as well, as it follows a similar pattern of being introduced, gaining popularity, becoming a staple or trend, and eventually falling out of fashion. Therefore, "product life cycle" is the correct term to describe this process.

Planned obsolescence refers to the strategy of intentionally designing products with a limited lifespan, forcing consumers to replace them frequently. This practice can be disadvantageous to consumers as it leads to the need for more frequent product replacements. This means that consumers have to spend more money on purchasing new products, resulting in increased expenses. Additionally, it can also contribute to environmental issues such as increased waste and resource consumption.

Using a questionnaire to gather information for a design brief is an example of user research. User research involves collecting data and insights about users' needs, preferences, and behaviors to inform the design process. By using a questionnaire, designers can gather information directly from users, allowing them to understand their requirements and expectations better. This information can then be used to create a design brief that aligns with the users' needs and ensures the final product meets their expectations.

The increased cost of recycled raw materials is likely to make it more difficult to encourage manufacturers to use them. This is because higher costs can make using recycled materials less economically viable compared to using new raw materials. Manufacturers may be hesitant to invest in the necessary infrastructure and processes required for using recycled materials if it significantly increases their production costs. Therefore, the increased cost of recycled raw materials can act as a deterrent for manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices and use recycled materials in their production processes.

A company might adopt a pioneering corporate strategy in order to introduce a new product first. By being the first to market with a new product, the company can gain a competitive advantage and capture a larger market share. This can lead to increased sales and profits. Additionally, being a pioneer allows the company to establish itself as a leader in innovation and set the industry standards, which can further enhance its reputation and brand image.

Ease of maintenance is a major design consideration for a vacuum cleaner because it is a product that requires regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure its efficiency and longevity. Vacuum cleaners are used to clean various surfaces and accumulate dirt and debris, which need to be regularly emptied and cleaned. Therefore, a vacuum cleaner that is easy to disassemble, clean, and reassemble will enhance the user experience and make maintenance tasks more convenient and efficient.

Manufacturers provide consumers with product confidence through quality assurance. This means that they have processes and systems in place to ensure that their products meet certain standards of quality. By implementing quality assurance measures, such as conducting thorough inspections and tests throughout the production process, manufacturers can ensure that their products are reliable, safe, and meet the expectations of consumers. This helps to build trust and confidence in the brand and its products, as consumers can feel assured that they are purchasing a high-quality product.

Consumers would use advertising, product image, and expert evaluation as sources of criteria to judge a product's value for money before making a purchase. Advertising provides information about the product's features, benefits, and pricing, allowing consumers to assess its value. Product image, including branding and packaging, influences consumers' perception of the product's quality and worth. Expert evaluation, such as reviews and ratings from trusted sources, provides an objective assessment of the product's value and helps consumers make informed decisions. Therefore, all three sources are important in determining a product's value for money.

The most likely environmental strategy adopted by companies is clean technology because manufacturers need to comply with legislation. This means that companies are required by law to implement environmentally friendly practices and technologies in order to reduce their negative impact on the environment. By complying with legislation, companies can avoid penalties and legal issues while also demonstrating their commitment to sustainability. This explanation is supported by the fact that the other options, such as manufacturers being keen to make changes or clean technology not increasing costs, do not necessarily provide a strong enough reason for companies to adopt clean technology as their environmental strategy.

Planned obsolescence refers to the practice of intentionally designing products with a limited lifespan, encouraging consumers to replace them more frequently. Option III is true because when products become obsolete quickly, there is more competition among manufacturers to create newer and better products. Option IV is also true because the constant need to innovate and improve products is a result of planned obsolescence. Therefore, the correct answer is III and IV only.

The common factor between the design cycle and the product cycle is "The objectives of the cycles". Both cycles have specific objectives that need to be achieved in order to successfully complete the process. In the design cycle, the objective is to create a well-designed and functional product, while in the product cycle, the objective is to bring the product to market and generate sales. Both cycles require clear objectives to guide the process and ensure successful outcomes.

The responsibility of anticipating conflicting constraints is more likely to fall on the designer rather than the manufacturer or user. Designers are responsible for creating products that meet the needs and requirements of users while also considering various constraints such as budget, time, resources, and technical limitations. Anticipating conflicting constraints involves identifying potential conflicts or challenges that may arise during the design process and finding ways to address them effectively. Manufacturers and users are more focused on the production and use of the product, respectively, rather than the initial design considerations.

An increased cost of production is least likely to persuade a company to adopt strategies for green design because companies are often driven by profit and cost savings. If adopting green design strategies leads to an increased cost of production, it may be seen as a barrier or deterrent for companies to invest in such strategies. On the other hand, legislation, market pull, and more energy efficient processes of manufacture are more likely to persuade a company to adopt green design strategies as they can provide incentives, create market demand, and lead to cost savings in the long run.

In the early stage of the product life cycle, there are likely to be changes made to the design of the product as companies gather feedback from customers and make improvements based on their needs and preferences. In the late stage of the product life cycle, changes may also be made to the design as companies try to extend the product's life and stay competitive in the market. Therefore, the correct answer is I and III.

Fashion is a statement that primarily concerns the consumer rather than the designer or manufacturer. Fashion is a subjective and ever-changing trend that individuals follow to express their personal style and keep up with the latest trends. It is a consumer-driven concept as people choose to purchase fashionable items to stay in style and feel confident. Designers and manufacturers may create fashionable products, but the ultimate decision to adopt and follow fashion lies with the consumer.

Market pull refers to the demand or need for a new product or innovation in the market, while technology push refers to the availability of new technologies that can be applied to meet that demand. When there is a market pull for a certain product or solution, and there is also a technology push with the development of new technologies, it is most likely that an invention will become an innovation. This is because the market demand creates a need for the invention, and the availability of new technologies enables the development and implementation of that invention to meet the market demand. Financial support and advertising can play a role in supporting the innovation process, but the combination of market pull and technology push is the most crucial factor.

In an imitative design strategy, the least important element of the design cycle is developing solutions. This is because imitative design focuses on replicating or imitating existing designs rather than creating new solutions. The emphasis is on researching and evaluating existing designs, identifying a need, and then adapting or replicating those solutions. Developing new solutions is not as crucial in this strategy as it is in other design approaches.