Design's impact on people and the planet
Every product a designer creates has consequences far beyond its price tag — for the people who use it, and for the planet it is made from.
Part of your national curriculum
- Evaluate: Understand developments in design and technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand developments in design and technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers
Key learning points
- • Impact on individuals and society
- • Impact on the environment
- • Responsibilities of designers
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Design's impact on people and the planet
Every product a designer creates has consequences far beyond its price tag — for the people who use it, and for the planet it is made from.
In a nutshell
Understand developments in design and technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Impact on individuals and society
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Impact on individuals and society
New technologies can improve lives — accessible design helps disabled users, and cheaper electronics widen access to education. But they can also cause harm, such as job losses from automation or products designed to be addictive.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Impact on the environment
Extracting raw materials, manufacturing, transporting and disposing of products all use energy and create waste. Choices such as recyclable materials, repairable design and reduced packaging can significantly lower a product's environmental footprint.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Responsibilities of designers
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Responsibilities of designers
Designers are expected to consider these wider effects, not just whether a product works and sells. This includes being honest about environmental claims, designing for a long usable life, and thinking about what happens to a product at the end of its life.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
New technologies can improve lives — accessible ____ helps disabled users, and cheaper electronics widen access to education.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
What is one environmental cost that occurs across a product's life?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Design's impact on people and the planet
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What is one environmental cost that occurs across a product's life?
2. What does 'designing for a long usable life' help reduce?
3. Which is a responsibility of designers mentioned here?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Understand developments in design and technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers