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People

The impact of new and emerging technologies affect people in different ways:

Technology push

Technology push

  • Technology push is where a new technology is invented and then designers or engineers use it in a new product. Technology is pushing the innovation of a new product.
  • It is not led by consumer demand, however it is appealing to people as it produces innovative products and increases choice.
Examples of technology push

Examples of technology push

  • Examples include:
    • Dyson developed the cyclone technology inside his vacuum cleaners creating a bagless design.
    • Touch screen technology was integrated into mobile phones.
Market pull

Market pull

  • Market pull is where consumers have a need or desire for a new product and it is then developed and produced. This could be a new product or an upgrade.
  • This is led by consumer demand and helps to maintain brand loyalty and create new customers.
Examples of market pull

Examples of market pull

  • Examples include:
    • The culture of taking a selfie and posting on social media lead to a demand for smartphones to have integrated forward facing cameras.
    • The social pressure put upon companies to help the environment, led to the development of biodegradable plastic bags that degrade after use.
Choice

Choice

  • People now have a lot more choice about the products they buy.
  • They can shop all over the world and products are posted to their door.
  • The market is competitive so prices are kept low.
Changing job roles

Changing job roles

  • More technological advancements and automation means machines are replacing low-skilled workers.
  • The industry is changing all the time and people need transferrable and adaptable skills to keep up.
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Designing & Making Principles

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