Innovation Basics
What is innovation?
The development or application of a new or improved idea, product, process or system that creates change.
How can finance affect innovation?
Finance determines whether sufficient funds are available for research, development, testing, production and marketing.
What is one important consumer-related factor affecting the success of an innovation?
Consumer demand or acceptance.
What does a designer usually identify before developing a new design solution?
A need, problem or opportunity.
Identify two broad areas that can be affected by innovation.
Society and the environment.
Does an innovation have to be completely new? Explain.
No. Innovation can involve improving, modifying or applying an existing idea or technology in a new way.
How can consumer demand encourage innovation?
Changes in consumer needs and expectations create opportunities for designers and businesses to develop new or improved solutions.
How can price contribute to the failure of an innovation?
Consumers may reject an innovation if they believe its price is too high compared with its benefits or competing products.
Why is research important when developing an innovation?
Research helps designers understand users, existing solutions, materials, technologies and other factors that influence the design.
Give one example of a positive environmental impact of innovation.
Examples include reduced energy consumption, reduced waste, lower emissions or more efficient use of resources.
What is the difference between invention and innovation?
Invention involves creating something new, while innovation involves developing, improving or successfully applying an idea to meet a need or opportunity.
How can developments in technology influence innovation?
New technologies, materials and production processes can provide designers with new ways to solve problems and develop products.
How can poor ergonomics or usability affect the success of an innovative product?
Consumers may reject the product if it is uncomfortable, confusing or difficult to use.
What is an iterative design process?
A process where ideas are repeatedly developed, tested, evaluated and modified to improve the design solution.
How can automation have both positive and negative impacts on society?
It can increase efficiency and productivity but may also reduce employment opportunities in some industries or change the skills workers require.
What commonly provides the starting point for an innovation?
The identification of a need, problem or opportunity.
How can environmental concerns encourage innovation?
Environmental concerns can create demand for products that reduce waste, conserve resources, use less energy or have a lower environmental impact.
Identify two factors, other than product quality, that can contribute to the commercial success of an innovation.
Examples include marketing, timing, consumer demand, price, competition, availability and social acceptance. (Any two.)
Why is creativity important in innovation?
Creativity allows designers to generate original ideas, consider alternatives and develop new approaches to solving problems.
Why should ethical issues be considered when developing an innovation?
Innovations may affect privacy, safety, equality, employment, accessibility and other aspects of people's lives.
Explain how an existing technology can be used to create an innovation.
Existing technologies can be combined, modified or applied in a different context to create a new or improved solution.
Explain how a lack of finance could prevent a promising innovation from succeeding.
Insufficient finance may prevent adequate research, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, marketing or commercialisation, even when the original idea is strong.
Explain why a technologically superior innovation may still fail commercially.
Commercial success depends on more than technical performance. Cost, consumer demand, marketing, usability, timing, competition and social acceptance can all influence whether consumers adopt the innovation.
Explain why risk-taking can be important in innovation.
Innovation involves uncertainty. Designers and entrepreneurs may need to invest time, money and resources into new ideas without knowing whether they will ultimately succeed.
Why should designers consider both the intended and unintended consequences of an innovation?
An innovation can create social, environmental, economic and ethical impacts beyond its original purpose. Considering these consequences helps designers identify both positive and negative effects.