Week+2

Week 2

1. Under each of the six categories, shelter, health, water, education, energy and transport, choose one project which interests you. For each category, describe how it is designed to alleviate poverty for the project's stakeholders. (6 categories x 1 paragraph = 6 paragraphs)

Shelter – MoneyMaker Block Press : this product is designed to build cost effective homes, schools and commercial buildings. The project focuses on making strong and durable building blocks from soil with a very little amount of cement. These blocks can be produced rapidly and more efficiently allowing more buildings and homes to be built at a faster pace. This is a major benefit for poverty-stricken nations and is a step closer to alleviating that poverty.

Health – Lifestraw: this product is designed to turn any surface water into drinking water. It addresses the situation where approx. half of the world’s poor individuals suffer from waterborne diseases and more than 6000 people die each day because of drinking contaminated drinking water. The need for this product is colossal because getting proper drinking water can make a world of a difference on a person’s health, so using this product will help prevent thousands of deaths around the globe.

Water – Q Drum: this product is designed to transport several liters of clean and potable water. The water is rolled in a cylindrical container which takes the weight off the individual who would normally have to lift the water to where it is needed. This is quite an important product because water is essential for healthy daily living, and creating a solution that will not be a hassle to obtain will encourage more use of it.

Education – One laptop per child: this product is designed to bring learning, information and communication to children in developing countries. This is an excellent product that correctly utilizes technology and increases availability for not only people who lived in developed nations, but for children who are growing in the rapidly paced technological society. These children will not be disadvantaged in technological learning because of this product.

Energy – Starsight: this product is designed to ensure that proper communication is always in place. Using solar powered street lighting and internet access in a wireless configuration bypasses the regular telephone grids and power lines. In places with a lot of emergency situations or natural disasters, this system will allow all individuals to be properly informed using a reliable means of communication.

Transport – WorldBike Prototype: this product is designed as a comfortable, safe and stylish alternative to carrying heavy loads on a bike. The basket system attached to the rear of the bike allows for the user to carry higher amounts of weight for longer periods of time. This is also a very important product because it can increase efficiency and the overall health of the individual, increasing productivity results for all.

2. How does stakeholder analysis enable sustainable and socially responsible design? (1 paragraph)

Stakeholder analysis enables a sustainable and socially responsible design by observing the needs of the consumer. Once the correct research has been conducted about the consumer, an innovative and valuable product can be created specifically for them. The stakeholder analysis allows for the company to observe the needs of the consumer, and design a product that will be most useful for those individuals. This will best suit the needs of both the consumer and producer, creating a beneficial mutual relationship.

List five characteristics of socially responsible product design. (List of 5 points) a. Sustainability b. Reasonable cost c. Safe product d. Easy to understand e. Practical use