Values IssuesValues Issues

A2 TextilesA2 Textiles

What are values issues?What are values issues?

Values issues have an impact on our lives and Values issues have an impact on our lives and on the products that we use.on the products that we use.

Values issues can be the driving force behind Values issues can be the driving force behind product development.product development.

For example – legislation has been introduced For example – legislation has been introduced about environmental issues – the need to about environmental issues – the need to follow this legislation has meant new products follow this legislation has meant new products have been developed.have been developed.

IntroductionIntroduction

We will look at:We will look at: Global market placeGlobal market place Cultural, economic, environmental, Cultural, economic, environmental,

ethical, moral, political and social issues.ethical, moral, political and social issues. The impact of values issues on design The impact of values issues on design

and manufacture.and manufacture. Responsibilities of developed countries.Responsibilities of developed countries.

Global Market PlaceGlobal Market Place

What is meant by the global market place?What is meant by the global market place? Multinational companies who sell their products Multinational companies who sell their products

worldwide.worldwide. Name some products that are sold on the global Name some products that are sold on the global

market place?market place? Clothing, petrol, cars, electronics, finance, food, hotels.Clothing, petrol, cars, electronics, finance, food, hotels. What has enabled products to be sold worldwide?What has enabled products to be sold worldwide? Information and communication technology (ICT)Information and communication technology (ICT)

The Impact of Electronic The Impact of Electronic Communications on Global Communications on Global ManufacturingManufacturing

The high speed information revolution has enabled global The high speed information revolution has enabled global marketing. What does this mean?marketing. What does this mean?

Fast electronic communication eg by internet, video conferencing.Fast electronic communication eg by internet, video conferencing. How can companies bring the price of their products down and How can companies bring the price of their products down and

become competitive?become competitive? Reduce labour and materials costs.Reduce labour and materials costs. How can they do this?How can they do this? Outsource their manufacture to countries where labour costs are Outsource their manufacture to countries where labour costs are

lower.lower. Name some countries?Name some countries? North Africa and Asian countries.North Africa and Asian countries. How does electronic communication aid this process?How does electronic communication aid this process? Products can be designed in one country then sent by email to the Products can be designed in one country then sent by email to the

manufacturing country.manufacturing country.

Economic, Environmental, Economic, Environmental, Moral, Political and Social Moral, Political and Social Issues Related to Global Issues Related to Global ManufacturingManufacturing

Free trade and global marketing have a major Free trade and global marketing have a major impact on quality of life, employment and the impact on quality of life, employment and the environment.environment.

Head offices of multinationals are located in Head offices of multinationals are located in MEDC’s (W Europe and N America).MEDC’s (W Europe and N America).

Some multinationals are also based in NIC’s Some multinationals are also based in NIC’s (Singapore, Korea, Taiwan).(Singapore, Korea, Taiwan).

LEDC’s are being used for manufacture.LEDC’s are being used for manufacture.

Drawbacks of Drawbacks of GlobalisationGlobalisation

What do you think the negative side of the What do you think the negative side of the global marketplace is?global marketplace is?

Environmental damage.Environmental damage. Low level skill jobs.Low level skill jobs. Top jobs are for executives from MEDC.Top jobs are for executives from MEDC. Company profits go back to MEDC.Company profits go back to MEDC. Multinationals cut corners on health and safety.Multinationals cut corners on health and safety. Political pressure.Political pressure. Raw materials are imported.Raw materials are imported. Goods are exported.Goods are exported.

Pros of GlobalisationPros of Globalisation

What are the good things about the What are the good things about the global market place?global market place?

Employment and higher living standard.Employment and higher living standard. Improved expertise of local workforce.Improved expertise of local workforce. Foreign currency comes into the country.Foreign currency comes into the country. Widens country’s economic base.Widens country’s economic base. Transfer of new technology.Transfer of new technology.

Cultural, Economic, Environmental, Cultural, Economic, Environmental, Ethical, Moral, Political and Social Ethical, Moral, Political and Social IssuesIssues

Designers need to consider the values of their Designers need to consider the values of their target market.target market.

For example what is fashionable this year won’t For example what is fashionable this year won’t be next year.be next year.

Designers have to keep up with current and Designers have to keep up with current and future trends relating to artistic, cultural and future trends relating to artistic, cultural and social influences.social influences.

They also have to understand how economic, They also have to understand how economic, political, ethical, moral and environmental political, ethical, moral and environmental issues impact on consumers.issues impact on consumers.

Cultural and Social Cultural and Social Trends and Lifestyle Trends and Lifestyle IssuesIssues

Fashion designers have to find out what Fashion designers have to find out what cultural values, social values and lifestyles their cultural values, social values and lifestyles their target market have.target market have.

For example – Eastern culture may be in For example – Eastern culture may be in fashion.fashion.

Socially people may want environmentally Socially people may want environmentally friendly garments.friendly garments.

People may have active lifestyles and need People may have active lifestyles and need appropriate garments.appropriate garments.

Moral and Ethical IssuesMoral and Ethical Issues

Fashion products that are morally and ethically Fashion products that are morally and ethically acceptable in one country may be acceptable in one country may be unacceptable in another.unacceptable in another.

Can you think of examples?Can you think of examples? Fur productsFur products Use of sweat shopsUse of sweat shops Garments that are short or have short sleeves Garments that are short or have short sleeves

(in muslim countries)(in muslim countries) Minimum wages.Minimum wages.

OffenceOffence

Designers have to ensure products do Designers have to ensure products do not offend religions or cultural groups.not offend religions or cultural groups.

Is it morally acceptable to advertise Is it morally acceptable to advertise glamorous clothing in countries where glamorous clothing in countries where people are living in poverty?people are living in poverty?

IS it morally acceptable to create a IS it morally acceptable to create a demand for products that offend a demand for products that offend a religion?religion?

How to make value How to make value judgementsjudgements

A good way to judge the value is to ask A good way to judge the value is to ask questions.questions.

This can be split into six areas:This can be split into six areas: Your response to the productYour response to the product The need for the productThe need for the product Design of the productDesign of the product The product manufactureThe product manufacture Promotion and marketingPromotion and marketing Use and disposalUse and disposal

Your response to the Your response to the productproduct

Do you want to touch or use it?Do you want to touch or use it? Who is it intended for?Who is it intended for? Why would they buy it?Why would they buy it? Would you like to own it?Would you like to own it? What would this say about you?What would this say about you?

The need for the productThe need for the product

Is the product needed?Is the product needed? Whose needs were identified to produce Whose needs were identified to produce

it?it? Who benefits from the manufacture of the Who benefits from the manufacture of the

product?product? How will they benefit?How will they benefit?

Design of the productDesign of the product

Who made decisions about the design?Who made decisions about the design? Is there a choice of designs?Is there a choice of designs? How was the design developed?How was the design developed? What influences had an impact on the What influences had an impact on the

design?design?

The product manufactureThe product manufacture

What materials and components are used and why?What materials and components are used and why? Where do the materials come from?Where do the materials come from? Will they run out?Will they run out? What other resources are used to manufacture the What other resources are used to manufacture the

product?product? What impact could using these resources have on What impact could using these resources have on

people or the environment?people or the environment? What happens to any waste produced during What happens to any waste produced during

manufacture?manufacture? What skills are needed?What skills are needed? What are the working conditions in the place of What are the working conditions in the place of

manufacture like?manufacture like?

Use and disposalUse and disposal

How is the product used?How is the product used? Will it have an impact on people’s lives or the Will it have an impact on people’s lives or the

environment?environment? How long will it last?How long will it last? How will it be disposed of?How will it be disposed of? What factors may limit or lengthen the product What factors may limit or lengthen the product

life?life? How easily can it be recycled?How easily can it be recycled? Who would pay the cost of recycling?Who would pay the cost of recycling?

The impact of values issues The impact of values issues on design and manufactureon design and manufacture

Every human need is related to values.Every human need is related to values. For manufacturers needs are connected For manufacturers needs are connected

to wants – the market needs products.to wants – the market needs products. Manufacturers fulfil these wants and Manufacturers fulfil these wants and

needs to make a profit.needs to make a profit. Manufacturers need to take account of Manufacturers need to take account of

values issues whilst making a profit.values issues whilst making a profit.

Environmental issuesEnvironmental issues

Legislation requires companies to Legislation requires companies to dispose of waste environmentally.dispose of waste environmentally.

Designers need to start designing for Designers need to start designing for recycling.recycling.

New products should be made from New products should be made from environmentally friendly processes.environmentally friendly processes.

New materialsNew materials

New and smart materials enable textiles New and smart materials enable textiles to enhance performance, protect the to enhance performance, protect the wearer, allow people to wear electronics.wearer, allow people to wear electronics.

Do these new materials enhance lives?Do these new materials enhance lives? At what cost?At what cost? Is fashion necessary?Is fashion necessary?

Genetic engineeringGenetic engineering

Why are some people unhappy about Why are some people unhappy about genetic engineering?genetic engineering?

What are the long term effects of genetic What are the long term effects of genetic engineering?engineering?

Do the benefits outweigh the Do the benefits outweigh the disadvantages?disadvantages?

Responsibilities of Responsibilities of Developed CountriesDeveloped Countries

We have already discussed global We have already discussed global manufacturing.manufacturing.

There is pressure on companies to There is pressure on companies to manufacture where costs are lower.manufacture where costs are lower.

There are however impacts on people There are however impacts on people and the environment.and the environment.

What are these issues?What are these issues?

IssuesIssues

Setting up costs are big. Big companies get bigger, Setting up costs are big. Big companies get bigger, smaller ones fold. How can this be remedied? – Niche smaller ones fold. How can this be remedied? – Niche markets?markets?

Offshore labour costs are lower but working conditions Offshore labour costs are lower but working conditions may be worse. Should manufacturers take on may be worse. Should manufacturers take on responsibility for health and safety?responsibility for health and safety?

Environmental issues can be created offshore. Rapid Environmental issues can be created offshore. Rapid industrialisation may be adding to global warming. But, industrialisation may be adding to global warming. But, how can developed countries deny LEDC’s progess?how can developed countries deny LEDC’s progess?

Who should pay the cost of clean technology?Who should pay the cost of clean technology?