Lesson video

Hello there everybody and welcome to your design and technology lesson for today.

My name is Mr. Booth.

It's brilliant you could join me.

We've got a fantastic lesson today all about considerations for production.

This is part of the inclusive design mental health and well-being unit.

Today's outcome.

I want you to be able to assess the feasibility and commercial viability of your designs.

Three keywords for you today.

The first one is feasibility.

The practicality of manufacturing a design.

Then we have commercial viability.

The likelihood that a product can be profitably made and sold.

And finally, sustainability.

Designing with consideration for environmental and social impacts.

We have two learning cycles for you today.

The first is what makes a design feasible.

So, let's take a look.

The theme of this unit is inclusive design mental health and well-being.

A feasible design is one that can realistically be produced using available materials, the processes that we're going to use to make it, and also the resources that we need to make it.

After the prototyping stage, designers need to assess whether a design can move successfully from an idea to a real manufacturable product.

Quick check for understanding.

What does it mean if a design is feasible? A, it looks appealing to the target market.

B, it can realistically be made with available materials and processes.

C, it uses the most sustainable materials possible.

And D, it is the cheapest design to produce.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

The answer is of course B.

It can be realistically made with available materials and processes.

Well done.

Feasibility means asking a few questions.

So, let's have a look at some of these questions.

Can this product actually be made? Designers assess feasibility early on in the design process to avoid unrealistic concepts that can't be manufactured.

Now a design may look absolutely wonderful on paper, but actually it doesn't matter if there's no way that that can be safely, accurately, or affordably manufactured at the end stage.

While some designs may look striking, just as this chessboard does, they may not be the most feasible product to make in volume.

If you need to scale it up to make it in volume, you're just simply not going to be able to do that.

Quick check for understanding.

Why is assessing feasibility early in the design process important? A, to make the product look more stylish.

B, to meet marketing deadlines.

C, to reduce waste and avoid unachievable designs.

Or D, to make the prototype more colourable.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

The answer is of course C.

To reduce waste and avoid unachievable designs.

When assessing feasibility, designers consider several key factors.

So, let's have a look at some of these.

First of all, we have materials.

Are they available, affordable, durable, and also sustainable? Remember that's a really important feature.

We then have the processes that we're going to manufacture our product with.

Which manufacturing techniques are suitable for this type of design? Complexity.

Are parts too intricate or expensive to reproduce at scale? And finally, safety.

Will the design meet standards for safe use? All really important considerations.

A good designer balances these factors to make sure the design is feasible.

Quick check for understanding.

Which of the following is least likely to affect the feasibility of a product design? Is it A, the designer's favourite colour.

B, the cost and sustainability of materials.

C, the complexity of the product.

And D, the availability of manufacturing processes.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is of course A.

The designer's favourite colour.

That is very unlikely to be part of a feasibility study.

For small scale manufacture, designers usually work with simple equipment to produce functional products.

Much of the focus is on craftsmanship.

However, industrial production focuses on large scale manufacturing where automation, efficiency, and consistency are vital.

If we don't have that consistency of parts, then automation simply will not work.

Both of these designs have the same function.

They are to juice citrus fruits.

But the designs are very different based on the level of production.

We have one which is small scale, kind of craft-based manufacturing, and the other large scale which will of course use automation in the process.

A design for manufacture mindset means simplifying and refining a design so it can be made efficiently, safely, and also cost effectively.

Designers often reduce the number of parts as much as possible.

This saves time spent on manufacturing and assembling.

It also reduces the chance of errors happening during production.

They also use standardised components.

Sourcing components like LEDs or ball bearings from elsewhere is cheaper and speeds up production.

You could also add fixings into this as well.

Electrical components have already passed safety checks before they arrive at your manufacturing as well, so that can help and speed up processes.

Selection of processes that are and reliable.

For example, use of production aids like moulds and jigs.

This assures consistency and accuracy.

You can also plan for ease of assembly and repair.

A design could have snap fittings instead of screws.

And spare parts could be easy to access.

Quick check for understanding.

Why might simplifying a design improve feasibility? A, it removes sustainability considerations.

B, it guarantees the product will sell.

C, it makes the product look more expensive.

Or D, it allows for easier, more efficient, and consistent production.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, D, it allows for easier, more efficient, and consistent production.

Well done.

If a designer were designing a sentry den for children, they may ask the following questions to check feasibility.

Can the materials and components be sourced easily? What maintenance does the product require? Is it safe to use? Is the design too complex to manufacture in large volume? Is it easy for the user to assemble? Through a feasibility assessment, the designer assures that our products can be successful.

Quick check for understanding.

Why does considering feasibility support inclusive design? Is it A, it encourages creativity and design innovation.

B, it ensures products can reach a wider range of users.

C, it ensures all designs are made from expensive materials.

Or D, it guarantees the design will win awards.

Pause the video now, come back to me when you've answered this.

It is, of course, B, it ensures products can reach a wider range of users.

Well done.

We're now on to task A.

Explain what is meant by the feasibility of a design.

I then want you to discuss how material choice and process selection affect the feasibility of a design intended for inclusive use.

I then want you to sketch a feasible solution to your identified problem that is based on inclusive design, mental health, and well-being, and I'd like you to label how you've considered the following points.

Materials, processes, complexity, and safety.

Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've completed the task.

So, how did you get on? Well, let's have a look at some sample answers.

First of all, I wanted you to explain what is meant by the feasibility of a design.

Feasibility refers to whether a design can realistically be produced using the available materials, processes, and resources.

Discuss how material choice and process selection affect the feasibility of a design intended for inclusive use.

Material choice affects cost, durability, and sustainability.

For inclusive products, materials must be safe, comfortable, and accessible.

For example, lightweight polymers for easy handling.

The chosen processes must also be efficient and repeatable, such as injection molding for consistent results.

If materials and processes are too expensive or complex, the design becomes less feasible.

I then wanted you to sketch a feasible solution for your problem, and also label it considering those points.

Material types kept to a minimum.

Polymer light casing and timber body.

Injection molding light casing is a simple design that doesn't require a complex or expensive mold.

The body design is hollow and uses the least amount of materials due to a sleek design.

The electronics components are enclosed within it, which is nice and safe.

The body design is simple shapes that can be easily cut with a CNC machinery.

And there you have an example of how you could break that down.

Well done.

We're now on to the second learning cycle.

How does the design succeed in the real world? A design may be technically feasible, but it may still fail commercially.

Commercial viability is about whether a product can attract customers and generate a profit.

Designers consider both the market appeal and the practical production costs.

A design that meets a real need can be made at a realistic price is more likely to succeed in market.

Bidget toys are commercially viable because they are popular and fairly inexpensive for companies to produce.

Quick check for understanding.

Why might a feasible design still fail commercially? Is it A, it's too expensive and doesn't meet real customer needs? B, it doesn't use sustainable materials? C, it wasn't made using modern technology? Or D, it's too complex to explain to investors? Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, A.

It's too expensive or doesn't meet real customer needs.

Well done.

When assessing feasibility, designers consider several key factors.

First of all, cost.

Are production costs cheap enough for the products to be sold at a profit? Demand.

Is there a target market who wants or even needs this product? Competition.

Are there existing products that already meet this need on the market? And finally, sustainability.

Are resources renewable and is production environmentally responsible? Balancing these ensures products are realistic, ethical, and appealing to customers.

Check for understanding.

Which factor is most directly linked to whether people will buy a product? Is it A, sustainability? B, manufacturing process? C, demand? Or D, cost? Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, demand.

Well done.

Modern consumers increasingly value sustainability and ethical design.

Products that use recycled or responsibly sourced materials or that promote inclusivity, and well-being often gain a competitive advantage against products that maybe don't consider those.

Ethical design is not just about doing good.

It can improve market appeal.

For example, a wobble chair made from a recycled polymer appeals to environmentally conscious buyers and reduces waste.

Quick check for understanding.

Why might sustainability improve a product's commercial viability? Is it A, it makes products heavier and more expensive? B, it helps attract environmentally conscious customers? C, it reduces the need for marketing? Or D, it guarantees government funding? Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, B.

It helps attract environmentally conscious customers.

Designers identify a target market.

This is the group of people most likely to buy their product.

They research user needs, their lifestyle, and also their spending habits.

For example, a company designing calming sensory lighting might target schools, therapy centres, and workplaces that support mental well-being.

Designing inclusively often widens the target market because products become usable by more people, increasing potential sales.

Quick check for understanding.

What is a target market? A, the government department funding a design? B, a group test used to measure material strength? C, a group of competitors selling similar products? Or D, the group of customers most likely to buy the product? Pause the video now, have a go at this, and come back to me when you've got your answer.

It is, of course, D.

The group of customers most likely to buy the product.

Well done.

Inclusive designs often appeal to a broader target market because they remove barriers to use.

For example, a weighted blanket supports users with anxiety but also appeals to anyone wanting comfort and ease.

By designing for mental health and well-being, products can also meet growing social demand for calm, supportive environments, increasing both impact and sales potential.

Check for understanding.

Why do inclusive products often have stronger commercial viability? A, they are designed for a wider range of users? B, they always cost less to make? C, they rely on advanced technology? Or D, they are only suitable for niche, small markets? Pause the video now, come back to me when you've got your answer.

The answer is, of course, A.

They are designed for a wider range of users.

Well done.

If a designer were designing a sensory den for children, they may ask the following questions to check commercial viability.

Are the production costs affordable? Does the product meet a demand? Does the product stand out against other competitors on the market? Has sustainability be considered enough to make an impact? Considering these questions results in a product that is marketable.

We're now on to your final task, task B.

First of all, I want you to explain what is meant by the commercial viability of a product.

I then want you to discuss how cost and sustainability can influence the commercial success of a product designed to support well-being.

I then want you to add further labels to your sketch from task A to ensure a commercial viable solution to your identified problem that is based on inclusive design, mental health, and well-being.

Consider how your design considers cost, demand, sustainability.

So how did you get on? Well, let's have a look at some sample answers.

First of all, I want you to explain what is meant by the commercial viability of a product.

Commercial viability means whether a product can be made, sold, and kept successfully in the market whilst meeting costs, demand, and sustainability considerations.

Discuss how cost and sustainability can influence the commercial success of a product designed to support well-being.

If materials and manufacturing processes are too expensive, the product may not sell well.

However, using sustainable materials can attract eco-conscious consumers.

For example, using recycled polymers appeals to those who value environmentally friendly products.

I then want you to add further labels to your sketch from task A, ensuring a commercial viable solution.

So, here we have a fantastic product.

Minimal amounts of parts used to reduce assembly time.

The light fitting is made with standard LEDs, which is of course cheaper, easier to source, and meets electrical standards.

Polymer casing can be made from recyclable materials, and it's easy to separate from the material body for recycling.

The light casing is affordable to be injection molded in bulk and in a range of different colors.

The product's function isn't limited to pupils.

Adults, also adults who struggle to focus, can enjoy the benefits of this design.

So, that brings us to the end of this lesson.

Let's have a quick summary.

Feasibility means a design can be made with available materials and processes.

Design for manufacture improves feasibility through simplification.

Commercial viability is about making, selling, and sustaining a product successfully.

Inclusive and sustainable designs increase commercial viability.

Well done today.

You've been absolutely fantastic.

I look forward to seeing you all next time.