Summary: Decades ago, Volvo's famous safety features were the least appealing part of their cars, at least from an aesthetic standpoint. Now designers work with engineers from the beginning of the development process to make sure that Volvo remains competitive on all fronts. In this program Volvo representatives address the issue of combining safety features with good design while maintaining brand...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2011
View online at AVOD
Summary: This program profiles CO2 Zero, an eco-friendly housing development in the UK, focusing on its use of recycled plastics and FSC-certified wood. The architect built with renewable and reclaimed resources, and took into account how all parts of the houses would be disposed of at end-of-life, thus minimizing the carbon footprint of this unique living space. Although the countertops are made from...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2011
View online at AVOD
Summary: Trunki is a popular children's ride-on suitcase-its brightly colored, rounded surfaces appeal to toddlers and parents alike. But when its designer appeared on a British TV show featuring the product, its towing strap broke, sending Trunki into another round of modification. This program explains how a product became a worldwide success through following three important principles of good...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2011
View online at AVOD
Summary: By working closely with potential customers as well as suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors, designers can optimize the products they create while keeping tooling and assembly costs down. In this program designers from Britain's Kinneir Dufort employ market research and model-making technology to redesign a peak flow meter, used by people with asthma to measure lung function. To keep up...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2011
View online at AVOD
Summary: Using recycled materials makes sense, but also presents designers with a unique set of challenges, because they must work within the parameters of the materials' properties. This program profiles two companies who have successfully created products from recycled goods. London-based Pli Design produced a stackable chair made from recycled Sony PlayStations, after feeding shredded game consoles...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2011
View online at AVOD
Summary: Volvo's ReCharge hybrid car has an electric motor in each of its wheels, helping to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide created when being driven. But a car's performance on the road is only one part of its overall green rating. With the ReCharge serving as an example, this program shows how Life Cycle Assessment is employed to evaluate the environmental impact of manufactured goods-from their...
Format: software, multimedia
Publisher / Publication Date: Films Media Group 2011