HSC Design and Technology key terms

A short written statement from a client or designer that sets out the problem to be solved, the target user, key constraints and the intended outcome, giving direction before detailed design work begins.

A detailed list of measurable requirements a product must meet, covering function, size, materials, performance, safety, cost and aesthetics, used to test whether design solutions are acceptable.

Limits placed on a design solution, such as budget, time, available equipment, legislation, safety rules or client requirements, which restrict the options a designer can reasonably choose.

Research that identifies what a user or market actually requires, often through interviews, observation, surveys or market data, so that design decisions respond to real problems rather than assumptions.

Specific, testable statements describing what a finished design must achieve, written so that the outcome can be evaluated objectively against the original brief and specification.

The stage of generating many possible design ideas, often using sketching, brainstorming, morphological analysis or analogy, before any single concept is selected for development.

A thought process that widens the range of possibilities by producing many varied ideas, deliberately delaying judgement so that unusual or novel options are not dismissed too early.

A thought process that narrows options toward a single best answer, used to evaluate, compare and select among competing design concepts against agreed criteria.

A quick freehand drawing that communicates an early design idea, showing form, proportion and function, often annotated with notes about materials, mechanisms or user interaction.

A drawing method that shows a three-dimensional object as separate flat views, such as front, top and side, arranged in a standard layout with dimensions so a manufacturer can interpret it precisely.

A pictorial drawing in which three axes are drawn at 30 degrees to the horizontal, showing length, width and height together so a design's three-dimensional form can be visualised.

A drawing produced at a fixed ratio to the real object, such as 1:5 or 1:50, allowing accurate measurement of proportions and sizes without drawing at full size.

Agreed conventions covering line types, dimensioning, symbols, tolerances and sheet layout, ensuring drawings are read consistently by anyone involved in manufacture or construction.

A physical or digital model built to test an idea, function or manufacture before full production, ranging from rough working models to near-final appearance models.

A simple full-size or scaled model made from inexpensive materials to check proportions, ergonomics or layout, usually without working parts or final finishes.

Planned procedures that measure how a design or material performs against success criteria, such as load tests, user trials, durability checks or safety checks, producing evidence for evaluation.

A judgement of how well a design outcome meets its brief, specification and success criteria, supported by test data and user feedback, and identifying improvements for future work.

A cyclic approach in which designing, prototyping, testing and refining repeat, so each version improves on the last rather than following a single straight sequence of steps.

An organised sequence of activities used to move from a problem to a solution, typically including research, specification, ideation, development, production and evaluation, with revisiting of earlier stages.

An approach that places the needs, abilities and behaviour of the end user at the centre of decisions, using research and feedback to shape function, safety and usability.

The study of how people interact with products and systems, applying knowledge of body dimensions, posture, reach and strength so designs are comfortable, efficient and safe to use.

The measurement of human body sizes and proportions, used to set dimensions such as seat heights, handle spans and reach envelopes so products fit a chosen range of users.

Designing products and environments so they can be used by as many people as possible, including those with disabilities, ageing or temporary injury, without needing separate specialised versions.

A set of principles for creating products and spaces usable by all people to the greatest extent possible without adaptation, covering equitable use, flexibility, simplicity and tolerance for error.

The extent to which a product, service or environment can be reached, understood and used by people with varied abilities, often addressed through standards, legislation and design features.

Meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, applied in design through material choice, energy use, longevity, repairability and waste reduction.

A structured method that quantifies environmental impacts of a product from raw material extraction through manufacture, distribution, use and disposal, informing comparisons and improvement decisions.

An economic model in which materials are kept in use through reuse, repair, remanufacture and recycling, reducing reliance on extracting new resources and limiting waste.

Designing products so components and materials can be separated easily at end of life, using reversible fasteners and clear labelling to enable repair, reuse and recycling.

The total greenhouse gas emissions attributed to a product, activity or organisation, usually expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent and used to compare environmental impact options.

The total energy consumed in extracting, processing, manufacturing and delivering a material or product, useful when comparing materials with similar function but different production demands.

The process of choosing materials by comparing properties such as strength, weight, durability, cost, workability and environmental impact against the requirements of a design.

Measurable characteristics of a material, including tensile strength, hardness, density, conductivity, elasticity and resistance to heat or corrosion, that determine suitable applications.

A material made from two or more distinct constituents that remain separate, combining them to produce properties superior to either alone, such as glass-reinforced plastic or laminated timber.

A metallic material formed by combining a metal with one or more other elements to improve properties such as strength, hardness or corrosion resistance, for example stainless steel or brass.

Controlled heating and cooling of a metal to change its internal structure and therefore its properties, used for processes such as annealing, hardening, tempering and normalising.

The acceptable amount by which a dimension may vary from its stated value, balancing the need for parts to fit and function against the cost of achieving greater precision.

A method used to convert raw materials into finished parts or products, such as casting, moulding, machining, forming, joining or additive manufacturing, each suited to particular materials and volumes.

Manufacture of large quantities of standardised products using specialised equipment, division of labour and assembly lines, lowering unit cost but requiring high setup investment.

The reduction in average cost per unit as production volume increases, because fixed costs such as tooling and setup are spread across more items.

Planned checks and measurements during and after production that confirm products meet specified standards, using inspection, sampling and testing to detect and correct defects.

A group of computer-controlled techniques, notably additive manufacturing, that build physical models directly from digital data quickly, allowing designs to be tested and refined sooner.

The use of software to create, model, simulate and document designs in two or three dimensions, enabling rapid modification, visualisation and sharing of accurate technical information.

The use of computer-controlled machines, guided by digital design data, to cut, shape or assemble products with repeatable accuracy and speed.

Legally protected rights over creations of the mind, including patents, registered designs, trademarks and copyright, giving owners control over use and commercial exploitation.

A granted legal right that gives an inventor exclusive rights to make, use or sell an invention for a limited period, in exchange for publicly disclosing how it works.

The successful introduction of a new or significantly improved product, process or service into use or the market, turning an idea into practical value.

The creation of something that did not previously exist, typically a new device, method or material, which may or may not be developed into a commercially successful product.

The activity of identifying an opportunity, organising resources and taking financial risk to bring a new product or service to market, often through a new business venture.

An assessment of whether a proposed product or project can realistically be made and sold, examining technical capability, cost, market demand, legal requirements and available resources.

The systematic gathering and analysis of information about customers, competitors and trends, used to judge demand, set product features and reduce the risk of poor design decisions.

The specific group of consumers a product is designed and promoted for, defined by characteristics such as age, income, location, lifestyle or need.

Laws, regulations and published technical standards that products must satisfy, covering areas such as safety, labelling, electrical compliance, accessibility and environmental performance.

The point at which a product is no longer useful or desirable because it has failed, become outdated or cannot be repaired, influencing replacement cycles and environmental impact.

A compromise in which improving one aspect of a design, such as strength or durability, requires accepting a reduction in another, such as cost, weight or ease of manufacture.

An organised record of a design project showing research, idea development, decisions, testing, production evidence and evaluation, used to demonstrate the process and justify the final outcome.