When discussing a “new” and sustainable approach to designing or redesigning products as critical as medical devices, it’s sometimes difficult to find a familiar frame of reference – a way to say ” See? This is what I mean. Let’s do it like this”
In a recent discussion, inspiration struck and we came up with this. Most people know how model kits work. Most people know how LEGO works. They may produce a similar result, and at a similar cost, but using totally different manufacturing approaches.
Build a model rocket: Plastic kit or LEGO?
The plastic model kit (1.14 m tall)
- Single assembly only
- All components optimised for one design outcome
- More investment in bespoke design and toolmaking
- More design freedom
- Fewer components (parts trees)
- Faster assembly time
- Similar cost (£110 new, now discontinued)
The LEGO model kit (1 m tall)
- Modular design
- Disassemble and rebuild multiple times
- Can be rebuilt in different configurations
- More components (1,969) but lower tooling
cost - Restrictions on design freedom – few unique
parts - Similar cost (£100)
This is the kind of thinking we need to teach us how sustainable design doesn’t just need a different design – it needs a different way to THINK about design.