Consumer Behavior and Technology Impact

Exam Questions

• Exam questions may cover how technology impacts consumer choice and employment.
• Students should understand how new job roles emerge from changing work methods.
• Students should be aware of fashion trends and how they impact designers and manufacturers.
• Students should understand the potential positive and negative societal impacts of new products.

People

• Understanding the market is crucial for designers and manufacturers.
• What works for one person may not work for another.
• How companies tailor products to appeal to diverse user needs is a key consideration.
• Personal preferences and needs influence the decision to purchase a product, which varies across individuals.

Research & Development

• New inventions and technological advancements drive new product development.
• Research and development (R&D) is a primary driver for innovations.
• Companies often have their own R&D centers, giving them a competitive edge.
• Companies introducing new products are usually in a favourable position.
• Products with new technology may have a higher price.
• Consumers are often unaware of the advantages of new technologies.
• Some new technologies may not be very practical or immediately useful.

Market Pull

• Consumer demand influences manufacturers to create new or improved products.
• Continuous innovation ensures products hold their relevance.
• How consumers would react to the lack of smart functionalities on new smartphones is a crucial question.
• Considerations like perceived needs for increased functionality and expected technological advancement are crucial for the consumer.

Case Studies

• Synthetic Spider Silk: Spider silk's strength and elasticity could revolutionize clothing, but its production remains a challenge. The first company to effectively produce synthetic spider silk would have a considerable advantage and large profits.
• LED Bulbs: LED bulb technology, while invented decades ago, saw market success only recently. Philips dedicated significant research efforts and were pioneering in this field, earning awards for their work, highlighting the interplay between technological progress and market demand.
• £5 Note: The new UK £5 note contains tallow, a component derived from animal fat, creating conflict with certain religious and ethical groups in the UK. This highlights the potential ethical and societal impacts of product design.

New Ways of Working

• Automation significantly impacts job roles.
• Robots have transformed factory production line jobs.
• Changes in computer-based administration roles need consideration.
• Some jobs remain unchanged by technological advancement.

Fashion and Trends

• Material, technical and fashion developments drive design trends throughout history, influencing the evolution of fashion, particularly with new examples such as headphones.
• Students should identify developments in materials and technology that have contributed to the designs of current headphones.
• These developments can originate from consumer demand or from research efforts.

Cultural Design

• Design preferences are shaped by cultural norms.
• Japanese culture usually involves seating on the floor during meals, thus impacting the design of tables and chairs differently compared with the rest of the world.
• Cultural factors can significantly influence the presentation and interpretation of information and products.

The Meaning of Colour

• Colours may carry varied meanings across cultures and contexts; red, for example, can symbolise both danger and positive emotions like happiness and good luck.
• This is a factor in how products are designed.

Design Considering Various Groups

• Different groups may have distinct perspectives on textile and fashion designs.
• The need to fulfil the specific criteria of various cultures and religions during the design process needs to be duly noted.
• Design considerations should avoid potentially negative impacts on various socio-cultural communities.

Culture and Society

• Society and cultural demands influence and drive design choices.
• Products can be influenced by social and cultural expectations including delivery methods for products.

Embracing Change

• Technological advancements and design innovation have continuously shaped the development of new ideas.

This quiz assesses your understanding of how technology influences consumer choice and employment, as well as the emergence of new job roles. It also explores the societal implications of product development and the importance of market understanding for designers and manufacturers.