impact on society and the environment
The assessment framework that measures a product’s environmental footprint across all stages from raw material extraction to final disposal.
What is a Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA)?
100: The visual, tactile, and sensory appeal of a design, including its color, form, texture, and style
: What are Aesthetics?
The foundational document that clearly defines the problem to be solved, target audience, key requirements, and constraints of a design project.
What is a Design Brief?
A subtractive manufacturing technique where computer-controlled cutting tools remove material from a solid block to form a final part.
What is CNC Machining (or Milling)
An economic trend focused on eliminating waste through continuous reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling of materials.
What is the Circular Economy?
pidly growing waste category consisting of discarded electronics like smartphones and laptops, containing toxic heavy metals.
Whatt is E-Waste (Electronic Waste)?
The study of designing products and environments to fit human physical dimensions, strength, and movement comfortably and safely.
What are Ergonomics?
Physical or digital models built early in the design cycle to test functions, dimensions, ergonomics, and visual appearance before full production.
What are Prototypes?
The production method used to manufacture extremely large quantities of identical standardized products continuously on an assembly line.
What is Mass Production?
A strategy where designers use natural structures, processes, and systems to solve human design problems (e.g., Velcro inspired by burrs).
What is Biomimicry?
A closed-loop design framework where all materials are continuously recycled back into industrial or biological systems without creating waste.
hat is Cradle-to-Cradle Design?
Laws and standards ensuring products do not infringe on existing patents, copyrights, or trade marks
What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
A continuous cycle of designing, testing, analyzing feedback, and refining a design to make incremental improvemts
What is the Iterative Process (or Iteration)?
A manufacturing strategy where products are made in specified limited quantities or groups rather than continuous mass production.
What is Batch Production?
An ethical trade movement ensuring producers in developing nations receive fair wages, safe working conditions, and equitable market access.
What is Fair Trade?
Term for selecting tools, production methods, and materials that fit the economic scale, skill level, and environmental constraints of a specific community.
What is Appropriate?
Designing products to ensure they can be used effectively by the widest range of people, including those with disabilities or physical limitations.
What is Inclusive Design (or Universal Design
Gathering original data directly from potential target users through methods like interviews, focus groups, surveys, or hands-on user testing.
What is Primary Research
ystematic checks and testing performed at key stages during manufacturing to ensure every finished item meets specified standards.
What is Quality Assurance (QA) / Quality Control (QC)?
An empathetic design methodology that places real human needs, behaviors, and direct user feedback at the center of every development stage.
What is User-Centered Design (UCD)?
The environmental term for using natural resources at a rate that allows them to replenish naturally without compromising future generations.
What is Environmental Sustainability?
Mandatory Australian standards and workplace codes that designers must follow to ensure safety during both production and end use.
What are Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations?
Establishing quantitative or qualitative benchmarks early in a project against which the final design is critically judged to determine success.
What are Evaluation Criteria (or Criteria for Success)?
Industrial manufacturing technique where computer software directs automated machinery (routers, lathes, mills) to shape or cut materials with high precision.
What is Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM)?
Ensuring product aesthetics and symbols respect the traditions, values, and identity of specific communities without inappropriate misrepresentation.
What is Cultural Sensitivity (or Cultural Respect)?