MYP Design Cycle

i. develops detailed design specifications, which explain the success criteria for the design of a solution based on the analysis of the research

• Start by writing a list of Design Specifications, then convert the list to an detailed list

• Explain what each Design Specifications (use examples, images &/or descriptions)

• Explain why each Design Specification was chosen (emphasise why each particular Design Specification is important and this can be done by linking to primary &/or secondary research)

• Identify who, when and how each Design Specification will be measured/tested/judged when the product is completed. Explain - What is successful and what is unsuccessful? (e.g. rating from 0-5 and will be tested by the client (0 - very bad; 1 - poor; 2- satisfactory; 3 - good; 4 - very good; 5 - excellent))

• Present this information in a table or a bullet point list (so it can be copied and used in another criterion/strands)

• If you need guidance on areas to cover - use ACCESSFMM as your guide:

  • Aesthetics - Consider appearance, style, colour, shape/form, texture, pattern, finish, layout.

  • Cost - Is there a maximum cost? Is this a material cost/time cost/selling cost?

  • Customer/ Client - Who it is for? What is the target user’s age, gender, socio-economic background?

  • Environmental considerations - Where will the solution be used? How will the design directly or indirectly affect the environment?

  • Safety - What safety factors need to be incorporated into the design?

  • Size - Are there any specific sizes that need to be considered? What “human factors” need to be considered? What anthropometric data needs to be considered?

  • Form & Function - What it must do? What is its purpose? Where will the product be stored? How easily can it be used/maintained?

  • Manufacturing - What resources are available? Are there limitations as to how this can be created? How much time is needed to create the design?

  • Materials - What materials are available? What properties do the materials need to have

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ii. develops a range of feasible design ideas, using an appropriate medium(s) and detailed annotation, which can be correctly interpreted by others

• Designs are developed over time in an iterative fashion. Students should record their iterative development through design sketching, modelling, refining and testing. This is all part of design development.

• Start with loads of initial ideas - brainstorm ideas of potential solutions.

• Choose a medium and produce several visuals that communicate a range of design ideas - here are some mediums to choose from:

  • Text - explain your ideas in bullet points or paragraphs

  • Two-point perspective sketch

  • Isometric drawings

  • Orthographic projection to scale

  • Sectional views

  • Exploded drawings

  • Part and assembly drawings

  • Projection drawings

  • Card models

  • Prototypes

  • Three-dimensional CAD models

  • Storyboards

  • Flow-chart

• Annotate each design idea to communicate your thinking with detailed annotation - consider:

  • ​size and shape of components and overall

  • materials

  • how the components fit together to create the whole

  • tools and equipment

  • aesthetics (colour, texture, shape, form, line, balance, finish)

  • how the user will interact with the solution (ergonome)

• Detailed Annotations - identify a key component then use the word "because" or "like" 

• Each idea should be understood easily by a 3rd party and be a feasible solution to the initial problem (get a friend to look at your work.. to see if they understand your ideas and check if your ideas are feasible solutions)

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iii. presents the chosen design and justifies fully and critically its selection with detailed reference to the design specification

• Provide a clear image of the very best design idea, which clearly shows its details and features

• Present your chosen design and highlights details such as colour, form, texture, proportion, how the solution functions, fonts, layout and how the solution is used (UX).

• Copy your Design Specification list (Criterion B i) and explain how each design specification is met by your best design and justify how the chosen design satisfies the specification

• Justify - persuade the reader that this design is the very best design and this can be done by:

  • comparing to worse ideas​

  • get a quote from your client/target audience - feedback is a vital source for selecting a design to take forward for prototyping

  • collect data (survey)​ that relates to the design specifications

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iv. develops accurate and detailed planning drawings/diagrams and outlines requirements for the creation of the chosen solution

• Create and present a series of accurate drawings/diagrams that include sufficient details of the design for peers/others to interpret correctly to make the solution & include annotation that includes details of size, assembly and production methods in their drawings/diagrams. You may include:

  • Details of components (identification of standard components, size/scale, material, finish, and so on)

  • Sectional and exploded views

  • Orthographic projections/working drawings (conventions/standards, scale, units of measurement) and a cutting list

  • Circuit diagrams/printed circuit board layout

  • CAD/freehand/instrumental

  • Nets/developments and patterns

  • Ingredient lists and recipes including decoration details/plating-up design

• ​outlines requirements - You may include:

  • details of components (identification of standard components, size/scale, material, finish, and so on)

  • cutting list

  • ingredient lists and recipes including decoration details/plating-up design

  • descriptive words that help the reader understand the design concept

  • technology requried

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