When we talk about planned obsolescence, we refer to the all-too-common strategy of designing products with limited useful lifespans. Hence, they become outdated or useless within a specific, predetermined period.

Before the industrial revolution, products were hard to make. Materials were scarce, and things were made to last.

There are 160 million designers of all types in the world, and not all of them have the word ‘design’ in their title. In product design, the designer plans the form, function, materials and use of the product. They also consider how the product will interact with other systems.

A list of key terms to get familiar with...