Design and Technology
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A product, system or environment?
Product examples
System examples
Environment examples
HSC Outcome H4.1 identifies a need or opportunity and researches and explores ideas for design development and production of the MDP
Products, systems and environments are the end results of activities
of design and technology.
In the Design and Technology Syllabus products, systems and environments
indicate the breadth of possible end results of a project. Whilst
the end result of designing and producing may be a one-off, three
dimensional object, an artefact, ready for immediate use, the
end result may also be a 'way of doing' or plans, models or prototypes.
Either way, the quality of the solution must meet the needs identified.
The categorisation of the end results of the Major Design Project
into products, systems or environments is not clear cut and many
end results could be categorised in more than one area depending
on the focus, eg a hang glider is a product but it is also a
system for flight, a farm is an environment but it is also a
system for animal husbandry or plant growth.
It is not necessary to categorise Major Design Projects. Students
and teachers need not spend inordinate amounts of time determining
whether a particular project is a system, a product, or an environment.
The criteria for marking are the same for all three. It is important,
however, that students are aware of the range of possible end
results of the activities of design and designers and of technology.
They should have the opportunity to select a Major Design Project
that develops an end result that reflects their interests, abilities
and decisions, and provides opportunity for development and innovation.
Examples of possible products, systems and environments have
been suggested to assist teachers' awareness of the scope of
the course. The lists are neither exhaustive nor prescriptive.
A Product involves the development of an idea through to realisation
of a finished, high quality object. Products are produced by
human effort to serve a stated purpose, and may result from innovative
ideas or modification of existing ideas.
A System involves the development of an idea through to the realisation
of a system's plan and, where possible, the actual system. Systems
are combinations of components, inputs, processes and outputs
that work together to achieve specified outcomes.
An Environment involves the development of an idea through to
the realisation of an environment is terms of sketches, models
and plans and, where possible, the actual environment for meeting
the specified needs. An environment can be the surroundings of
an individual or a specific activity and can be internal (interior)
or external (exterior) and can vary in size.
The following list provides possible examples to exemplify the
scope of the course. It is neither exhaustive nor prescriptive
| Products | Systems | Environments |
|---|---|---|
|
household furniture or furnishings a theatrical costume a frost resistant plant species a manufacturing jig a water monitoring device a vehicle a walking frame for a child with disabilities a convenience food an item of protective clothing an air purifier an artefact of interior design for an office or home sportswear jewellery a household appliance a canoe or boat a surfboard dinner tableware clothing accessories pottery a graphic design of a motor car a coordinated fashion range a packaged computer game a tool for a specific task a boat trailer a toy for a child with disabilities a publication an item for a cultural celebration. |
a crop management system a computerised burglar alarm a system for encouraging better nutrition for pre-schoolers an electronic transfer network a food service unit a hydroponics system a manufacturing production line a marketing/management strategy for a new product an interactive multi-media computer package a robotics application a sensory control system for air conditioning a system for reducing household energy use a plan to save time or energy a traffic control unit a theatrical lighting system an activity program for a person with specific disabilities a computer system to control product distribution a colour photographic system a concert sound system an urban transport system a computer program for data analysis a household management system. |
a foyer for a hospital a housing estate a NASA simulated space environment a computer network environment a soil conservation strategy for a rural property a protective medical climate an urban recreational walking path an outdoor exercise circuit a tourist access plan a town plan a domestic landscape a controlled growth unit (hot house) a playground a solar house a food conservation program a restaurant a sustainable farm an industrial complex an underground dwelling an ergonomically designed work environment facilities and equipment for an outdoor adventure trek a coffee shop in a suburban shopping centre a mini wonderland at a children's hospital a modern building. |
Remember, this list is just to show the range of design and technology projects, it is neither prescriptive NOR exemplary, it's just a sample.
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