Figure 2: A smartphone with soldered battery, frequent software updates, and annual model releases
two ways that product obsolescence is intentionally designed in Figure 2.
Figure 3: A reusable stainless steel water bottle produced with a carbon-neutral supply chain
how the product in Figure 3 reflects positive impact on the environment and community.
which figure shows a product that demonstrates environmental responsibility.
how the products in Figure 2 and Figure 3 align with the triple bottom line (TBL).
the ethical responsibilities of designers when balancing innovation with environmental and user safety concerns across all three figures.
Datakeep once sold the floppy disks shown in Figure 1 for storing computer files. Each disk holds about 1.4 megabytes. The company stopped selling them once cheap USB flash drives, which store thousands of times more data in a smaller device, became widely available, even though a floppy disk still works.
Figure 1: A pack of 3.5 inch floppy disks.
the type of obsolescence that the floppy disk in Figure 1 has undergone.
Read the following stimulus and answer parts (a) and (b).
In the 1970s the flared "bell-bottom" trousers shown in the figure were highly fashionable. By the end of the decade they had fallen out of favour and straight-leg trousers took over, even though the flared trousers were still perfectly wearable.
Which type of obsolescence has made the flared trousers undesirable?
How does style obsolescence like this harm the "Planet" part of the triple bottom line?
An older house has a layout in which the only way to reach the second bedroom is to walk through the first. The house is structurally sound and everything in it works, but buyers find the layout inconvenient and value the house less than a similar house with a modern layout.
Which type of obsolescence does this illustrate?
Functional obsolescence, because the outdated design makes it less useful or desirable even though it still works
Technological obsolescence, because a newer technology has replaced it
Style obsolescence, because the house is no longer fashionable
Planned obsolescence, because the layout was deliberately built to fail after a set time
Read the following stimulus and answer parts (a) and (b).
A clothing brand follows a fast fashion model. It copies the latest catwalk trends, sells cheaply made garments in large volumes, shown on the rack in the figure, and relies on customers discarding them after only a few wears once the trend passes.
Which is the most significant negative environmental impact of this fast fashion model?
Which design change would most reduce the environmental harm of the brand's clothing?
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