DT Chapter 2.2 Invention & innovation (SL)

2.2.2 Outline the stages of innovation

1) Developing an idea into a viable product; 2) its production; 3) marketing and sales 4) redesign 5) the cycle or spiral continues

2.2.5 Explain why the majority of inventions fail to become innovations

1) marketability (Low product demand) 2) financial support (invention would need more sponsors) 3) marketing (Poor marketing strategies or wrong target markets) 4) need for the invention (alternative energy resources) 5) price (too expensive to purchase, or to manufacture) 6) resistance to change (People can be resistant and reluctant to change) 7) aversion to risk (behaviour of consumers and investors under uncertainty)

2.2.9 Explain the difficulties of getting a product to diffuse into the marketplace

Consider local, national and global competition. The problems of getting novel products to market include product launches and marketing. Market pull & technology push for a successful product. (ie) Mobile phones manufacturer & service providers

2.2.8 Describe a design context where dominant design is relevant

Dominant Design - It is a concept identifying key features in designs that become a traditional standard in the market place. Dominant designs don't necessarily have to be better than other designs found on the market, however they will provide a minimum required set of important and basic features. (ie) ball point pen, coke bottles

2.2.7 Define dominant design, diffusion into the marketplace, market pull and technology push

Dominant design - contains those implicit features of a product that are recognized as essential by a majority of manufacturers and purchasers. Diffusion into the marketplace - The wide acceptance (and sale) of a product. Market pull - The initial impetus for the development of a new product is generated by a demand from the market. Technology push - Where the impetus for a new design emanates from a technological development.

2.2.6 Explain the relevance of design to innovation

For continued innovations (re-innovation), products and processes are constantly updated (redesigned) to make them more commercially viable and to give consumers choice and improved products.

2.2.1 Define invention and innovation.

Invention - The process of discovering a principle. A technical advance in a particular field often resulting in a novel product. Innovation - The business of putting an invention in the marketplace and making it a success.

2.2.11 Define lone inventor

Lone inventor - An individual working outside or inside an organization who is committed to the invention of a novel product and often becomes isolated because he or she is engrossed with ideas that imply change and are resisted by others.

2.2.16 Explain why innovators may have difficulty in obtaining financial support for an invention

Most people with money to invest will be inclined to wait until it is clearer whether an invention is going to be successful before investing: the problem is to get them to take the risk.

2.2.12 Discuss why it is becoming increasingly difficult to be a successful lone inventor

Most products are now extremely complex and rely on expertise from various disciplines. Most designs are developed by multidisciplinary teams. (ie) Smart phones

2.2.14 Define product champion

Product champion - An influential individual, usually working within an organization, who develops an enthusiasm for a particular idea or invention and "champions" it within that organization.

2.2.10 Explain why it is difficult to determine whether market pull or technology push is the impetus for the design of new products

Push and pull are present in most successful innovations. The explanation should apply only to the origin of the idea or where the idea seems to have been generated. "Market Pull" method - The demand driven "Technology Push" method - The supply driven, They differ because of how they manage and organize resources.

2.2.3 Discuss the importance of science to invention and innovation

Science explains how the world is. Most delelopments we produce in the field of Design are attributed to scientific breakthroughs, which in turn allow the designer to produce these advancements. It is the aspect that allows us designers to distinguish between the better materials, shapes, sizes and various other factors that come to consideration when we come to developing a project.

2.2.4 Discuss the importance of technology to invention and innovation

Technology uncovers new possibilities for materials, manufacturing techniques and processes

2.2.15 Compare the lone inventor with the product champion

The lone inventor - may lack the business acumen to push the invention through to innovation. The product champion - often a forceful personality with much influence in a company. He or she is more astute at being able to push the idea forward through the various business channels and is often able to consider the merits of the invention more objectively.