Utilitarian design

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/utilitarian-design

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the core tenet?Prioritizes functional effectiveness and utility over purely aesthetic considerations
2. What is the philosophical basis?Derived from utilitarianism, aiming for 'the greatest good for the greatest number.'
3. Why do some objects look simple instead of fancy?Because they are built to do a job well and to be cheap, so they can help more people.
4. How did people in the Stone Age use utilitarian design?They made stone tools that were strong and useful, not just basic tools.

Contemplated Pleasure: Enjoyment or satisfaction derived from the aesthetic appreciation of an object.
Paleolithic Age: The prehistoric period when stone tools were the main technology used by humans.
Intellectual Property: Creations of the mind, such as inventions and artistic works, protected by law.