INNOVATION uses an existing material/ technology in a new way or is an improvement to an existing design through the use of new materials/ technology. 

an ENTREPRENEUR is responsible for the overall management:

•Ensures a design/ innovation is successfully manufactured and marketed (i.e sales and services) by

•Ensures availability of resources

•Raising financial backing

•Protecting intellectual property

•Distribution and transport 

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PRACTICE is designing in such a way as to preserve our non-renewable resources; reduces consumption of energy, raw materials and resources as well as minimising environmental impact at the end of the product's life cycle.

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT is a tool used by designers to assess the environmental impact of their design throughout all stages of a design; cradle to cradle or cradle to grave. 

FACTORS THAT AFFECT DESIGN

• Appropriateness of design solution

• Needs

• Function

• Aesthetics

• Finance

• Ergonomics

• Work, health and safety

• Quality

• Long and Short Term Environmental Consequences

• Obsolescence

• Life Cycle Assessment

Other factors to consider: Social, Global, Political, Economical, Environmental, Ethical, Historical, Cultural, Legal, Marketing Strategies, Timing, Available and Emerging Technologies. 

Emerging technologies 

Emerging technologies are technologies whose development, practical applications, or both are still largely unrealized. These technologies are generally new but also include older technologies finding new applications. 

https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/4-emerging-technologies-you-need-to-know-about 

Emerging technologies" refer to innovative and cutting-edge advancements in various fields that have the potential to significantly impact and transform society, industries, and daily life. These technologies are often in the early stages of development, testing, or adoption, and they hold the promise of bringing about substantial changes in the way we live, work, communicate, and solve problems. Emerging technologies are characterized by their novelty, the potential for rapid growth, and the ability to disrupt existing systems or create entirely new ones.

Examples of emerging technologies include:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): The development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making.

• Blockchain: A decentralized and secure digital ledger technology that enables transparent and tamper-resistant recording of transactions across a network.

• 5G Technology: The fifth generation of mobile networks, offering significantly faster data transfer speeds, reduced latency, and increased connectivity for various devices.

• Biotechnology: Advancements in genetic engineering, gene editing, and personalized medicine that have the potential to revolutionize healthcare, agriculture, and environmental conservation.

• Quantum Computing: The use of quantum-mechanical phenomena to perform computations, potentially solving complex problems much faster than traditional computers.

• Internet of Things (IoT): The interconnection of everyday devices and objects to the internet, enabling them to collect and exchange data for improved efficiency and convenience.

• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): Technologies that enhance or simulate real-world experiences, offering new possibilities in gaming, education, healthcare, and industry.

• Robotics: The development of machines and automated systems that can perform tasks independently or with minimal human intervention, ranging from manufacturing to healthcare.

• Nanotechnology: The manipulation and control of materials at the nanoscale, leading to innovations in medicine, materials science, and electronics.

• Clean Energy Technologies: Advancements in renewable energy sources, energy storage, and sustainable technologies to address environmental challenges.

It's important to note that the landscape of emerging technologies is dynamic, and new innovations continue to emerge. The adoption and impact of these technologies depend on various factors, including societal acceptance, regulatory frameworks, ethical considerations, and the ability of industries and individuals to integrate them into existing systems.

Cutting-edge innovations with transformative potential in various fields. 

Society

"Society" refers to a group of individuals who share a common geographical territory and are connected by social relationships. These relationships can be based on various factors such as culture, language, values, norms, and institutions. In a society, people interact with each other, form communities, and establish organized structures to fulfill their collective needs and interests.

Societies can vary in size and complexity, ranging from small, close-knit communities to large, global populations. They are characterized by social institutions like family, education, government, economy, religion, and more, which play vital roles in shaping the behavior and interactions of individuals within that society.

Key elements of a society include social norms (shared expectations about how people should behave), social roles (expected behaviors associated with particular positions in the society), and a system of social control (mechanisms that regulate behavior and maintain order). Societies also undergo cultural, economic, political, and technological changes over time, influencing the way people live, work, and relate to one another.

Society is a collective of individuals bound by shared geographical space, cultural norms, and social relationships. It encompasses a complex web of interactions, institutions, and structures that shape behavior and identity. Society facilitates cooperation, defines roles, and establishes shared values, influencing the way people live, communicate, and organize.

A social group sharing culture, geography, and interconnected relationships.

Innovation-Case study / Exam extended response 

Examples of Design and Innovation

Looking at past papers, the two main things they normally ask you about in extended responses either refer to sustainable design OR new and emerging technologies (aka innovation). In order to get in the top band for this Design and Technology exam, it is absolutely crucial that you provide examples in your responses. They will even often ask you to use examples, so for me, I thoroughly learnt 4 examples. Two for emerging technologies  and two for sustainable design  (although one of my emerging technologies could cross over as sustainable design, so this was a bonus for confidence!). 

 is Innovative because it uses an existing material (corn) in a new way to develop a sustainable alternative to petrochemical based plastics.

   ◦Traditional Petrochemical Plastic: comes from oil (non-renewable resource) and is a byproduct of petroleum manufacture (never breaks down); uses a large amount of energy to manufacture.

   ◦Plantic Packaging: comes from non-genetically modified corn starch (amalyose); is biodegradable within 7 days; uses 40% less energy than traditional plastic to manufacture.

•Intellectual Property: uses a patent to protect the process of transforming corn starch into a biodegradable plastic substitute material; design registration to protect the visual appearance of their company/ products; copyright to protect their website and all written/ graphic material contained within it (including advertising, promotional and educational publications).

•Agencies that affect innovation: includes IP Australia who protect the process and identity of the design to ensure that no other company can use the same innovative process; Australian Taxation Office will ensure that all taxation requirements are met (lack of appropriate taxation management can lead to company closure/ legal action; Workcover Australia ensures all WHS requirements are met/ adhered in production and manufacturing (infringement of Workcover regulations could result in big fines and potential court action; high cost in legal fees and loss of production).

•Impact of the Innovation:

   ◦Individual:

     *Reduces individual carbon footprint; personal guilt reduction

     *Employs individuals for corn growing, production and transportation and white collar related employment

   ◦Society:

     *Increased employment - taxation revenue raised as well as employs income/ spending; financial stability

     *Social awareness increased regarding need for sustainable products; supported by exposure to material such as Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient truth.'

   ◦Ethical:

     *Ethical use of non-genetically modified corn - doesn't impact on ecoosystem/bugs and soil.

     *Location of source materials

     *Ethical protection of intellectual property

     *Ethical use of water (a scarce resource in a dry country like Australia) and land (that could be better used for growing food)

   ◦Environmental:

     *Preservation of non-renewable resources - 40% less energy used in production as well as non-petrochemical raw materials; less contribution towards global warming

     *Decrease in landfill; petrochemical plastics never break down

     *Less impact on wildlife; is biodegradable and doesn't leave residue like crude oil plastic; won't be eaten by animals

     *Potential negative impact of resources used petrol for transportation; chemicals for corn growing (affects land and surrounding ecosystem) 

•Is Innovative because it uses an existing technology/ design of a car and improves on its design by integrating new technologies to allow it to posses capabilities to self-navigate; i.e without human interaction.

   ◦ Features include: radar to detect objects through emitting radio waves to analyse range, angle and velocity of objects; lidar to measure distance through the application of a laser (light waves); GPS for spacial and time data; odometers for external motion sensory; and artificial intelligence to analyse/ process the data gathered.

   ◦Auto pilot system for navigation; sensors for environmental detection; sleek, round design to allow for maximal view for the sensors; electric batteries to power the vehicle; a computer to operate the car; also utilises back up systems for safety.

•Intellectual Property: uses a patent to protect the device design and the process; design registration to protect the visual appearance of their company/ products; copyright to protect their website and all written/ graphic material contained within it (including advertising, promotion and educational publications).

•Impact of the Innovation:

   ◦Society:

     *Eliminates human error; increases road safety

     *Allows more efficient travelling and time usage

     *Addresses egalitarianism by providing equal opportunities of mobility for all citizens (i.e the blind) thus improving social inclusion

     *Depletion of driving skills (including decision making, multitasking, situation/ environmental awareness and responsibility)

     *Makes jobs redundant i.e especially regarding public transport

   ◦Environment:

     *Lower fuel consumption through efficiency of autonomous driving leads to a reduction in greenhouse gases produced by fuel consumption

     *Increased landfill as previous generations of cars become obsolete

     *Increased non-renewable resource usage (i.e plastics and metals) 

Other examples include:

https://www.ey.com/en_au/consulting/beyond-covid-19-how-emerging-technologies-will-shape-our-new-reality 

https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/snowy-20/about/ 

https://www.zeroco.com.au/ 

 When answering Design and Technology extended response questions, to access the top band, you must remember: IMPACT    IMPACT    IMPACT

What do I mean? Well, when writing your essay always keep in mind CAUSE AND EFFECT (what is the advantage/disadvantage? and what is the result of this advantage/disadvantage?). At the start of writing time in my exam I would sprawl a massive C-->E across the extended response planning space just to remind myself. 

Here are a few generic advantages/ disadvantages for impacts of design (especially regarding innovation). Some of these points work on both sides (disadvantage and advantage such as job creation in certain areas but also job loss as some jobs, especially blue collared, become redundant). They are just to show you some examples of potential impacts of design that are adaptable to most extended response questions they can throw at you.

+++++++++Advantages +++++++++

• • Creation of job opportunity --> increased employment (especially white collard jobs and in areas of design/ innovation)

•    ◦Increase in employment --> results in an increase of tax revenue --> government has increased budget to spend on benefiting the country i.e allows investment into areas such as infrastructure or further innovation

•    ◦Increase in employment --> influx of income on an individual level --> allows more spending and financial stability --> increased standard of living

• • Creation of luxury items, entertainment, technology --> increased standard of living --> more efficient lifestyle --> less stress on individuals

• • Sustainable design practice --> innovative designs which are more environmentally friendly or may be recyclable raises awareness of contemporary issues such as global warming --> decrease in landfill --> reduction of carbon footprint --> reduction of personal guilt

------------Disadvantages ------------

• • Loss of jobs (i.e in terms of innovative designs, blue collard work/ manual labour becomes obsolete with the introduction of machinery, AI, drones, etc which are more efficient)

• • Often innovative designs create issues of egalitarianism --> expensive, luxurious products that are not accessible to individuals of differing economical status --> poses ethical issues: is it fair?

• • Creation of technology --> promotes anti-social behaviours --> increased time spent indoors --> generation/exponential increase of health issues such as social anxiety and obesity

In better responses, students were able to:

• make clear reference to the stimulus provided

• clearly articulate at least two examples of the legal issues of both the drone and the driverless truck, such as privacy, intellectual property and responsibilities in the instance of accidents resulting in injury to a person or damage to property

• use specific examples, such as the breach of privacy resulting from cameras attached to drones, which may lead to the collection of footage without consent, leading to a greater number of formal complaints which place greater strain on law enforcement processes

• provide at least two examples of the economic issues of both the drone and the driverless truck, such as the loss of employment, the expense involved for companies who choose to use the systems, and maintenance

• use specific examples, such as the dependency on government payments due to loss of employment, hence having more widespread ongoing effects on other industries and aspects of society

• explore both short and long term implications, supported by clear cause and effect statements

• develop a relationship between the legal and economic implications while also considering both the advantages and disadvantages of both provided examples.

Areas for students to improve include:

• addressing all parts of the question and referencing all parts of the stimulus material, such as images and annotations

• providing clear examples to support statements in their written response

• drawing out any implications from the cause and effect statements

• developing a cohesive response by using connective terms and full sentences and paragraphs

• ensuring legal issues and economic issues are addressed for both the drone and driverless truck

• recognising that legal issues and economic issues can relate to the designer, manufacturer, business, operator and the consumer.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is an umbrella term that refers to the simulation of human intelligence using a computer. This covers many methods and subcategories, ranging in complexity. AI, in its simplest form, is a computer program containing a series of if-then statements that work their way through a decision tree. Such as healthcare software that suggests a diagnosis based on inputted symptoms and qualifiers. Searches for “artificial intelligence” stock media increased by 77% in 2019.

Machine Learning

Most of the conversation around AI right now is referring to Machine Learning. Machine learning is a subset of AI that involves dynamic software that learns and changes as it is exposed to more data. All machine learning is AI, but all AI is not machine learning. Searches for “machine learning” stock media experienced an even more significant increase in 2019 — 82%.  

Deep Learning

Deep Learning is an advanced subset of Machine Learning, where neural networks inspired by the human brain are used to yield more accurate results. Deep Learning algorithms are used for vast quantities of data, for example, in AI software used to detect cancer.

Example of ChatGPT

Me: 

How to write a criteria to evaluate success?

ChatGPT

Evaluating the success of a project, initiative, or system involves defining clear criteria and metrics that align with your goals and objectives. The criteria you use to evaluate success will depend on the nature of the project and its specific objectives. Here are some general steps to help you define criteria for evaluating success:

• Define Clear Objectives: Clearly outline the objectives and goals of your project. What do you intend to achieve? Make sure these objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).

• Identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Determine the key metrics that directly measure the success of your project. KPIs should be quantifiable and provide insights into the project's progress and impact.

• Establish Benchmarks: Set benchmarks or targets for each KPI. Benchmarks can be based on industry standards, historical data, or internal expectations.

• Define Success Criteria: Clearly articulate what success looks like for each objective and KPI. This could include specific numerical targets, milestones, or other measurable outcomes.

• Consider Stakeholder Perspectives: Identify and understand the perspectives of various stakeholders involved in or affected by the project. Their expectations and requirements may influence your success criteria.

• Measure Impact and Outcomes: Focus on both quantitative and qualitative measures. While quantitative data provides numerical insights, qualitative data can offer a more comprehensive understanding of the project's impact.

• Evaluate Project Management Process: Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the project management process itself. Were timelines and budgets adhered to? Were resources effectively utilized?

• Gather Feedback: Collect feedback from stakeholders, team members, and end-users. Their experiences and perspectives can provide valuable insights into the success of the project.

• Adaptability and Sustainability: Consider the adaptability of the project to changing circumstances and its sustainability over the long term. A successful project should be able to evolve and endure.

• Document Lessons Learned: Record lessons learned during the project. This documentation can provide insights for future projects and contribute to continuous improvement.

• Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate achievements, milestones, and successes along the way. Recognizing and rewarding progress can motivate the team and stakeholders.

• Review and Iterate: After the project is complete, conduct a thorough review. Identify what worked well, what could be improved, and apply these insights to future projects.

Remember, success criteria may vary from project to project, so it's important to tailor them to your specific context and objectives. Regularly review and update your criteria as the project progresses and as new information becomes available.