Words to know
fundamental technological concepts
Key ideas, such as function, material and ergonomics, used to describe and develop products and services in every technology area.
function
The use for which a product, process or service is developed.
structure
The essential parts of a product, process or service, and how they are built or organized.
material
Any substance or item used to create a product or deliver a service.
aesthetics
The aspects of a product or service that make it pleasing to the senses.
ergonomics
Designing for the user's well-being: less discomfort, less injury risk, less energy used.
anthropometric data
Measurements of the human body, like hand width or arm reach, used in design.
property
A feature of a material, such as strength, hardness, flexibility or weight.
Hook: two shovels, one driveway
After a big snowfall, two neighbours start shovelling. One has a cheap shovel with a straight handle and a thin plastic edge that has cracked in the cold. The other has a shovel with a bent shaft, a large D-shaped grip and a metal strip along the edge. Twenty minutes later, one neighbour is done and one is rubbing a sore back.
Both shovels have the same function. The difference is in the other fundamental technological concepts: structure, material, aesthetics, ergonomics and safety.
Fundamental technological concepts
Ontario's technological education curriculum names a set of fundamental technological concepts. They are like a checklist that designers, tradespeople and service workers use in every one of the ten areas. You can use them to describe any product or service and to explain why it was developed the way it was.
This lesson covers six of them. The next lesson covers the rest.
A closer look at each concept
Function. Every product has a main (primary) function and often extra (secondary) ones. A toque's main function is warmth; a secondary function might be showing your team's logo. Services have functions too: the function of a dental cleaning is healthy teeth and gums.
Structure. Structure is about parts and how they are arranged and joined. A chair's legs, seat, back and the joints between them are its structure. A service has a conceptual structure: a haircut appointment is organized as consultation, wash, cut, style and advice on care.
Material. Designers choose materials by their properties: strength, hardness, flexibility, weight (density), how well they hold or block heat, how long they last, whether they rust, cost and how easy they are to get, reuse or recycle. Some plastics become brittle in extreme cold, which is why a cheap shovel edge can crack in January.
Aesthetics. Aesthetics covers all five senses, not just looks: the colour of a hockey jersey, the smooth feel of a sanded tabletop, the solid sound of a car door closing, the smell of a salon product, and the taste and presentation of a meal in hospitality.
Ergonomics. Ergonomics fits the product or task to people. Designers use body measurements called anthropometric data (hand size, reach, height) and often aim to fit a wide range of users rather than only an "average" person. Handle diameter, grip shape, chair height and keyboard angle are ergonomic choices.
Safety. Safe design removes or reduces hazards: rounded edges, guards over moving parts, non-slip surfaces, stable bases, clear warning labels. Many products sold in Canada are tested to safety standards and carry a certification mark, such as a CSA mark on electrical products.