5.5 Product Life cycle

Core Text: Product Life cycle

The product life cycle is a concept that helps designers and companies make decisions about their products. It consists of four stages: Launch, Growth, Maturity, and Decline. In the Launch stage, only a few people know about the product and sales are low. As the product enters the Growth stage, more people start buying it, but competition also increases. In the Maturity stage, sales and profits start to decline as the product becomes old and people lose interest. During the Decline stage, efforts can be made to make the product popular again by making improvements or targeting a new group of customers.

Planned obsolescence is another factor that affects the life cycle of a product. This is when a product is intentionally made outdated to encourage people to buy new versions. It can involve adding new technology or limiting functionality. Technological waste occurs when new technology replaces old technology, while functional waste happens when a product breaks and cannot be fixed due to lack of parts or services. Changes in technology and fashion trends can also make products unwanted over time.

Planned obsolescence and functional obsolescence have been criticized for creating more waste and limiting our ability to fix things. For example, light bulbs and inkjet printers are designed to not last as long as they could, leading to more frequent purchases and waste. Similarly, digital products can become useless if the necessary services or parts are no longer available. Companies try to keep up with consumer preferences and update their products accordingly, but this can also contribute to waste and excessive consumption.

Fast fashion, which involves quickly changing clothing styles, is often criticized for its negative impact on the environment. It encourages people to buy and discard clothes more frequently, leading to increased waste. However, it's important to note that fashion trends can be unpredictable, and old styles may become popular again.

In conclusion, understanding the product life cycle and considering the environmental impact of designs are important responsibilities for designers. The stages of the life cycle help inform decisions about when to release new versions or make improvements. Planned obsolescence and functional obsolescence can create waste and limit our ability to repair products. Fast fashion also contributes to environmental concerns. By being mindful of these factors, designers and consumers can work towards more sustainable practices.