Учебные задания по английскому языку для студентов 2 курса специальности «Промышленный дизайн», 3 семестр

3 ______________________ Ergonomists also consider the speed with which humans react and how they process information, and their capacities for dealing with psychological factors, such as stress or isolation. Armed with this complete picture of how humans interact with their environment, ergonomists develop the best possible design for products and systems, ranging from the handle of a toothbrush to the flight deck of the space shuttle.

4 _______________________ Ergonomists view people and the objects they use as one unit and ergonomic design blends the best abilities of people and machines. Humans are not as strong as machines, nor can they calculate as quickly and accurately as computers. Unlike machines, humans need to sleep, and they are subject to illness, accidents, or making mistakes when working without adequate rest.

5 ________________________ But machines are also limited - cars cannot repair themselves, computers do not speak or hear as well as people do, and machines cannot adapt to unexpected situations as well as humans.

6 ________________________ An ergonomically designed system provides optimum performance because it takes advantage of the strengths and weaknesses of both its human and machine components.

3.In small groups, think of at least one example to illustrate the principles of industrial engineering employed by ergonomists.

4.Complete the text about consumer products design with nouns from the box. There are two extra nouns.

Ergonomic (1) _______ makes (2) ________ products safer, easier to use, and more reliable. In many manufacturing (3) _________, ergonomists work with (4) ____________ to develop products that fit the (5) ________ and meet the expectations of the people who will use them. An ergonomically designed (6)_________, for example, has a broad handle for easy grip, a bent neck for easier access to back teeth, and a bristle head shaped for better tooth (7) ______ contact. The shaving (8) __________

has undergone a similar design revolution. The bent-handled, easy-grip (9) _______ popular today are more comfortable to use and have a better shaving (10) __________ than the straight-edged razors of days gone by.

5. Read and complete the text with the correct form of the verbs in the box or with other words (nouns, adjectives, etc.) derived from these verbs.

Ergonomic design has dramatically changed the interior (1) ___________ of automobiles. The steering wheel - once a solid, awkward disk - is now larger and padded for an easier, more comfortable grip. Its center (2) ________ to improve the driver‘s view of the instruments on the dashboard. Larger, contoured seats, (3) __________ to suit a variety of body sizes and posture preferences, (4)

___________ the small, upright seats of early automobiles. (5) ________ with seatbelts and adjustable headrests that prevent the neck from snapping backward in the event of a (6) __________, modern automobile seats are not only more comfortable, they are also safer. The principles of ergonomic design (7) ___________ other features of the automobile as well. The center-mounted rear windshield brake light, now a (8) _____________ component of all new automobiles, is an ergonomic innovation that (9) ________ lives.

6. Choose one of the products from the box and write a report about ergonomic improvements it might undergo.

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knowledgeable of the interrelationships among materials, design, and manufacturing, as well as the overall economics of the operation. In most cases, the majority of the decisions for selecting materials and manufacturing processes for a product are made by the designer, with input from others in the organization.

Product design often involves preparing analytical and physical models of the product, as an aid to analyzing factors such as forces, stresses, deflections, and optimal part shape. The necessity for such models depends on product complexity. Today, constructing and studying analytical models is made easy by the use of computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques. Based on these models, the designer selects and specifies the final shape and dimensions of the product, its surface finish and dimensional accuracy, and the materials to be used. The selection of materials is often made with the advice and cooperation of materials engineers, unless the design engineer is also experienced and qualified in this area.

An important design consideration is how a particular component is to be assembled into the final product. Take apart a ballpoint pen or a toaster, or lift the hood of your car and observe how hundreds of components are put together in a limited space. Note also how difficult it is on some cars to remove a spark plug or an oil filter, much less to make repairs or perform maintenance on the engine.

The components of a product may be assembled by a variety of means, such as with bolts, screws, and rivets or by welding, soldering, or adhesive bonding. The method of assembly should be reliable and economical and require as little time as possible to perform, particularly for mass-produced items such as hair dryers, calculators, and automobiles. In fact, by walking through an automobile plant, you can readily observe that assembly operations are a major and important activity.

The next step in the production process is to make and test a prototype, that is, an original working model of the product. Testing, either at this stage or periodically during production, is an important aspect of product manufacturing. Testing is now done statistically, and the proper interpretation of test results is crucial to maintaining the quality of a product (statistical process control). Total quality control of a product throughout the manufacturing process is one of the most important considerations in manufacturing engineering.

Tests must be designed to simulate as closely as possible the conditions under which the product is to be used. These include environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, as well as the effects of vibration and repeated use and misuse of the product. Computer-aided design techniques are now capable of comprehensively and rapidly performing such simulations. During this stage, modifications in the original design, materials selected, or production methods may be necessary. Difficulties are often encountered in making the product function properly while fulfilling design, quality, and service requirements or producing it economically.

After this phase has been completed, appropriate manufacturing methods, equipment, and tooling should be selected with the cooperation of manufacturing engineers, process planners, and all others that are to be directly involved in production. Various manufacturing processes are available for making parts with a variety of shapes, depending on the material and various other factors.

4.Match the italicized words with their definitions.

a.the action or process of performing a task or function;

b.a device for toasting bread, usually electric, and often equipped with an automatic timer;

c.help, typically of a practical nature;

d.present or existing from the beginning; first or earliest;

e.featuring new methods; advanced and original;

f.a contribution of work or information;

g.the degree to which the result of a measurement, calculation, or specification conforms to the correct value or a standard;

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h.the bonnet of a motor vehicle;

i.the action of fitting together the component parts of a machine or other object;

j.a first or preliminary version of a device or vehicle from which other forms are developed;

k.the wrong or improper use of something;

l.decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something;

5.Give synonyms for the underlined words and word combinations in the text, or briefly explain their meaning.

6.Write out the passage using the most appropriate tense or form of the verb in parentheses.

THE HA SHEM IS UNVEILED

An international music prodigy and a Cornishman (1) __________ (develop) a brand new instrument, the Ha Shem. The instrument (2) _____ (be) a three-necked guitar that can (3)_______ (play) like a cello.

Classical guitar prodigy Esteban Antonio and local guitar maker Kif Douglas Wood (4)_________

(join) forces to produce the new guitar. Its name - Ha Shem, (5) ______ (mean); "lord and master of all".

The guitar (6) _______ (look) like a widened version of a standard guitar but with three necks feeding into three pickup's (7) _____ (recognize) musical notes; there are 3 jacks that can (8)_______

(plug) into an amplifier.

Esteban (9) _______ (spend) a year (10) ______ (devise) the idea for the instrument which is a blend of violin, cello, harp and of course, guitar. (11) ______ (reflect) on the design process, builder Kif (12) _____ (say): "It was scary; we're dealing with a very small instrument, with very thin, delicate timbers to get the sound.

Esteban Antonio (13) ______ (be) a professional musician for many years after (14)________

(award) a scholarship to the Royal College of music at the young age of nine. He is now a worldrenowned performer specializing in classical and flamenco pieces.

LESSON THREE

OVERDESIGN

1.Discuss the questions.

a.Which factors can influence the price of a product?

b.Do you agree that the reliability of a product depends on its design complexity that exceeds usual standards?

2.Scan the article and give a definition of overdesign practice.

3.Read the text again and answer the questions.

a.What might overdesign result from?

b.What can overdesign lead to?

c.Is overdesign an unquestionably negative phenomenon?

d.Why do manufacturers resort to the practice of downgrading the material and production methods used?

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e. Are the accusations made against manufacturers well grounded?

R6 Surveys have indicated that many products in the past have been overdesigned. That is, they were either too bulky, were made of materials of too high a quality, or were made with unwarranted precision and quality for the intended uses.

Overdesign may result from uncertainties in design calculations or the concern of the designer and manufacturer over product safety in order to avoid user injuries or deaths and the likelihood of product liability lawsuits. Many designs are based on past experience and intuition, rather than on thorough analysis and experimentation. Overdesign can add significantly to the product's cost. We must point out, however, that this entire subject is somewhat controversial. From the consumer's standpoint, an automobile, washing machine, or lawnmower that has been operating satisfactorily for many years without needing repairs or part replacement is a good product - in other words, it is reliable and economical.

Manufacturers are sensitive to the public image of their products in the marketplace. In fact, some products, such as washers and driers that require infrequent repair have been advertised as such in the public media. However, many manufacturers believe that if a product works well for an extended period of time, it may have been overdesigned. In such cases, the company may consider downgrading the materials and/or the processes used. Some industries have even been accused of following a strategy of planned obsolescence in order to generate more sales over a period of time.

4.Match the italicized words with their definitions.

a.an investigation of the opinions or experience of a group of people, based on a series of questions;

b.taking up much space, typically inconveniently; large and unwieldy;

c.the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning;

d.the state or fact of something's being likely; probability;

e.giving rise or likely to give rise to public disagreement;

f.consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted;

g.obsolescence is the state of being no longer needed because something newer or more efficient has been invented;

5.Give synonyms for the underlined words and word combinations in the text, or briefly explain their meaning.

6.Each blank space in the paragraph below should be filled with either a, an or the, or left without any article.

The Visual Story, With Lasting Lessons

By Linda Hales

a. Through ___ miracle of ___ Google and without any design education, Leonard Wood and Vernon Woodland have created ___ prototypes for ___ line of hip-hop shoes. ___ two men sent ___

rudimentary sketches from ____ Prince George's County to ___ manufacturer in___ China. With ___

addition of ___ little venture capital, they could start ___ production and lay claim to ___ first designed-in-Hyattsville "urban fashion shoes."

Their story is ___ insignificant but powerful example of how firmly design has worked its way into ____ everyday life and aspirations in our community. I write about them today, in ____ farewell column, as ____ expression of design as ___ most populist and accessible of __ arts.

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b. ___ design feat of ___ different dimension occurred last week in ___ District's Seventh Street arts corridor. It is ___ classic example of ___ innovation and creativity lavished on ___ objects that touch

___ few lives today, but which we hope will trickle down to ____ rest of us tomorrow.

At ___ Apartment Zero store, ____ owners Douglas Burton and Christopher Ralston gambled correctly that customers were ready for ____ ultimate holiday bauble: ___ magnum of Dom Pérignon champagne encased in ___ limited-edition, neon-green ice bucket. ___ two-foot-tall collectible was signed by Marc Newson, ___ Australian industrial designer whose 20-year-old aluminum chaise, ___

Lockheed Lounge, was sold at auction in June for $968,000 - ___ record for ___ piece of furniture by

___ living designer.

7. Fill in the blanks with the most suitable prepositions.

British road signage

Jock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert started work __ the design __ a new signage system __ Britain's roads more than 50 years ago, just as the country was __ to start building a network __ new motorways and the government realised that the haphazard and inconsistent road signs __ the day were no longer safe or functional.

Despite the passage __ time, and the compromise __ their vision __ a clutter __ commercial logos that now disfigure our motorways, their work looks as modern today as it did then. They took a cool, clear-sighted look __ how we understand signs and directional systems, decoding the complexities __ driving and finding our way __ a hierarchy __ signs and colours: blue for motorways, green for trunk roads, white __ local roads.

They came up __ an elegant typeface and a set __ pictograms that have stood the test __ time, and set a standard __ the world to follow. It was not part __ the brief, but __ the most fundamental level, Kinneir Calvert's work, because __ its very ubiquity, has become part __ the background __ daily life __ Britain, and so __ its national identity.

ASSESSMENT MODULE TWO

1. Translate into Russian in writing.

Information Design

Cognitive ergonomists specialize in information design - the best way to present complex information. These professionals study the way the human brain processes information. Using this knowledge and the principles of graphic design, cognitive ergonomists develop signs, maps, instruction manuals, and even computer programs and Internet sites that are easy to use or intuitive. The work of cognitive ergonomists is particularly evident in public transportation buildings, such as airports or train stations. These buildings are often large, complex, and difficult to navigate. Cognitive ergonomists develop clear, easy-to-understand navigation aids, such as signs and maps, to help people find their way to their gate as simply and efficiently as possible. Color-coded subway maps, for example, help subway riders navigate with relative ease through a complicated maze of interconnected underground tunnels.

Cognitive ergonomists also work with manufacturers to design the instruction manuals packaged with consumer products. They evaluate the tasks required to assemble or operate the goods, and present the tasks as a set of sequential, easy to follow instructions. When designing instruction manuals, cognitive ergonomists must consider not only the way the brain processes information, but also the way people expect to receive instructional information. As they develop and learn, humans grow accustomed to receiving different types of information in particular formats. When information does not conform to its customary format, people may find it difficult to follow or understand.

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2. Look at the examples of subway maps. Which one do you find the most easy–to-understand? Come up with an idea for a navigation map for the Lipetsk State Technical University.

MODULE THREE

LESSON ONE

Everyday Design

1. Discuss the questions.

a.What is your own definition of an everyday design?

b.What objects in your everyday environment do you find exquisite from the design point of view?

2.Skim the article to find out which everyday objects the author focuses on.

3.Read the article again and answer the questions.

a.What definition of design is the author of the article impressed by?

b.What is the concept of modern design?

c.What sort of ‗different experience‘ does the author mean?

d.We each design the way we live our lives, don‘t we? Why/ Why not?

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Reading the book ―A Whole New Mind‖ by Daniel Pink, I found perhaps the best definition of the word I‘ve ever heard, by Paola Antonelli, the senior curator of architecture and design at the Museum of Modern Art: ―Good design is a renaissance attitude that combines technology, cognitive science, human need, and beauty to produce something that the world didn‘t know it

was missing.‖

But how has design become something that we speak about more and more? For sure, companies like Apple have made consumers more aware of the importance of good design simply by making products that are so easy to use and so well-designed that

they become must-haves. Target (a company that I have advised) introduced high-design products by people like Michael Graves and Philippe Starck at affordable prices. Even the 3M Post-It note - a seemingly simple product - has become part of MoMA‘s permanent collection, and is perhaps one of the few products we all have on our desks or in our kitchen drawers. Companies like OXO, with the help of companies like Smart Design, manufacture products that have made tasks like opening a soup can or peeling a carrot so much simpler. That is design. It is not only about making everyday products better and easier, but it is also about creating memorable experiences.

I was a draftsman in the Milan studio of my great-aunt, Anna Castelli Ferrieri, when she was hired to design flatware for the Italian company Sambonet. I still remember drafting, over and over, the shape of the soup spoon. Yes, we were doing everything by hand, including creating prototypes. Anna, looking over my shoulder as I was designing, kept saying how important the proportions were, so that the spoon would have the right amount of soup every time, and how it had to be easy to handle. Well, it

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took months of designing and months of developing, but the result was a different experience when you were eating soup. That is design, too.

Nowadays we all are fond of creating better experiences and better products. When I think about what I would like to have for my family and me, which would be the best, right? We just need to think that way. When I became a citizen, I read the Constitution, and it begins, ―We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility….‖ It is about designing a better place to live. Perhaps I am pushing it, but on some level, don‘t we each design the way we live our lives?

4.Give synonyms for the underlined words and word combinations in the text, or briefly explain their meaning.

5.Match the italicized words with their definitions.

a.eating utensils such as knives, forks, and spoons;

b.the administrative head of a museum, art gallery, or similar institution;

c.a person, esp. a man, who makes detailed technical plans or drawings;

d.an essential or highly desirable item;

e.lasting or intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely;

f.a native registered or naturalized member of a state, nation, or other political

community;

g.inexpensive; reasonably priced;

h.feel or manipulate with the hands;

6.The Silver Superstore, one of the largest independent tabletop retailers in the USA, has come up with an idea of a „Gone Fishing'set which is one of the most unique flatware patterns available today. Each piece has a modern artistic fish shape, and is surprisingly comfortable to eat with. Look at the photo and try to work out a marketable design for any flatware item. Use the following words and word combinations to present your idea. Drawings and sketches are highly welcome.

silver-plated flatware/ stainless steel / intrinsic properties / strong / great luster / a trend / a shape / to feel great in the hand /a piece / smooth / sleek lines / style / the focus on feel.

7. Each blank space in the paragraph below should be filled with either a, an or the, or left without any article.

Contemporary Yet Classic

In 1989 Lenox celebrated its centennial — ___landmark reached by no other American porcelain company. Its luster remains undiminished. Lenox china patterns, including Eternal (1965) and Federal Platinum (1991), consistently rank among __ most popular nationwide. Newer designs, such as Winter Greetings® (1995) by __ noted nature artist Catherine McClung, have been hailed as contemporary classics. And while Lenox is __ leader in such current trends as transitional china and mix-and-match

placesettings, it continues to employ centuries-old craft techniques, including piercing, jewelling, and etching. In addition to __ White House, Lenox tableware is at home in __ vice president's official residence, more than 300 U.S. embassies, and more than half of __ governors' mansions. Its giftware has been selected for presentation to dignitaries by __ U.S. Congress and U.S. Department of State, among others. Its products are in __ permanent collections of America's most

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prestigious cultural institutions, including __ Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and have been __ centerpieces in exhibitions of American decorative arts. And most important, Lenox continues to be used with pleasure and given with pride by families across __ country.

a.Why do you think the backyard always seemed to lag behind?

b.What were the main reasons for buying the four-storey brownstone?

c.What does the author mean by saying:‘ This was a canvas in desperate need of some brush

strokes.’

d.What was the designer‘s vision for the garden?

e.How was the old patio transformed?

f. Do you find the choice of plants appealing?

R8

Even in good financial times, when home renovations in Brooklyn were as common as restaurant openings, one aspect of the restorations always seemed to lag behind: the backyard.

After a lengthy renovation, many homeowners found it daunting to confront the usual patch of tall weeds out back and replace it with a well-designed garden. Yard projects usually ended up way down the to-do list, on their way to the never-done list.

Gigi Sharp and George Gilpin were determined not to let that happen. After all, when they moved from the East Village to Cobble Hill in 2003, they chose their four-story brownstone almost entirely because of its outdoor space.

―We saw a lot of houses in this neighborhood, and they looked pretty much the same,‖ Mr. Gilpin said. ―The draw here was the big backyard.‖

The three-level yard, 80 feet by 20 feet, had lots of potential. But when the couple arrived, it was neglected and forbidding: overgrown, dank and mosquito-ridden, with an unattractive patio and a soggy lawn that the dogs quickly turned into a mud pit. This was a canvas in desperate need of some brush strokes.

Mr. Gilpin and Ms. Sharp set about their plan and they hired a garden designer.

The designer‘s vision for the garden involved modernizing it and removing the compacted, poorly draining turf. Ms. Welti (the designer) also wanted to make the most of the garden‘s three levels. She knew that preserving the grade change and not having to move large amounts of soil would save money, while also allowing for separate spaces that could function like rooms, to be used for different activities.

The levels were separated by two existing low walls. She replaced the dated railroad-tie wall nearest the house with a more modern-looking concrete barrier. It visually connected the garden to the brownstone‘s new rear façade.

For the patio, Ms. Welti replaced the unattractive too-new brick with uniformly sized bluestone. The homeowners furnished it with vintage pieces to make an elegant outdoor living room.

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Stepped up about two feet and behind a yew hedge was the second level, where Ms. Welti added a stylized woodland grove with two kinds of Japanese maples. The small trees are surrounded and underplanted by ostrich ferns and other perennials planted on a low mound.

4.Give synonyms for the underlined words and word combinations in the text, or briefly explain their meaning.

5.Match the italicized words with their definitions.

a.to start or begin;

b.a district, esp. one forming a community within a town or city;

c.restoration ( of something old, esp. a building) to a good state of repair;

d.denoting something from the past of high quality, especially something representing the best of its kind;

e.a paved outdoor area adjoining a house; a roofless inner courtyard;

f.(of a plant) living for several years;

g.to be the last to deal with;

h.causing fear or discouragement; intimidating;

6.Write out the passage using the most appropriate tense or form of the verb in parentheses.

Why (1) ___ (to stay) cooped up inside when you can(2) ____ ( to extend) the livable portion of your property by(3) ___ (to create) outdoor living spaces? – Yes, we (4) ___ (to talk) about our backyard. Imagine (5) ___ (to come) home from a rough day at work to your very own backyard oasis, you can (6) ____ (to enjoy) the benefits of water features in your yard. Amazing garden

(7) ____ (to plant) all by yourself, with great green lawn. Or maybe vegetable garden that you

(8) ____ (to dream) about. Enjoy your own, all organic vegetables and fruits.

7.Fill in the blanks with the most suitable prepositions.

Why not plan your next get-together __ friends or family outside __ your backyard . Plenty __outdoor furniture will be an asset __ this case .Having a swimming pool __ your back yard can be a summer dream come true. Swimming pools can be a wonderful source __ backyard fun __ the summertime, an attractive asset __ your property, not to mention a theme __ any party. Unfortunately, they can also entail a lot __ upkeep (or even be downright hazardous), which may seriously cut __ your time and energy __ backyard fun. Find __ how to keep the swimming pool area safe and lowmaintenance __ the summer.

8.Each blank space in the paragraph below should be filled with either a, an or the, or left without any article.

Through proper plant selection, you can attract a lot of wild birds to your yard. Bird watching is one of __ simple pleasures that many people have come to appreciate as __ year-round source of backyard activities. Or maybe birds are too messy for you? If you're worried about feeling like __ statue in a park full of pigeons, watching __ graceful flight of butterflies may be more your idea of __ unforgettable backyard fun.

9.Come up with a competitive project for any recreation area in the cityit might be a theme park, a children‟s park or a University campus yard.

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