MYP Design Cycle

A i. explains and justifies the need for a solution to a problem for a client/ target audience

• What is the problem? Who are we solving it for? Where is the problem situated? Why is solving this important?

• This should be directly linked to the statement of inquiry (provided by your teacher)

• In your own words, explain what the problem/issue/challenge/concern is

• In your own words establish context - exactly where is this situated?

• Identify the target audience/client/end-user

• Persuade/Convince the reader of your Criterion A report that this issue/problem is in need of a solution. Here are tips on how to persuade/convince (i.e. justify):

  • research - conduct some research and find and share statistics, quotes, graphs, images and anything that can add weight to your argument​

  • personal approach - discuss how important this issue is to you personally &/or to your client and how finding a solution is so very important and much needed

  • provide reasons - use the word "because"

  • prognosticate - share how bad the world will be if this problem is NOT solved - compare a happy world with a solution to a horrible world without a solution

  • emotive - use words that make your reader have strong feelings

  • rhetorical questions - to make your reader stop and think

  • say it again - repeat your message

  • undermine - mention different opinions to yours and say why they are wrong

  • Try one or more of these appeals:

    • Ethos - Values ~ getting people to trust you – show the people that you share the same values as them

    • Pathos - Emotions ~ appealing to the emotions of others – use language to make people feel a certain way, whether it be angry, guilty, encouraged or fearful

    • Logos - Logic and sense ~ using logic or evidence to appeal to the common sense of others – showing that you are basing your opinions on facts

​

A ii. constructs a detailed research plan, which identifies and prioritizes the primary and secondary research needed to develop a solution to the problem independently

• Create a long list of research topics - then change these ideas into research questions using the MYP command terms - think what data and information is needed to be collected so that you can solve the problem?

• Identify a variety of places to find answers and collect data (primary, secondary, qualitative and quantitative research)

• Consider that you have to solve this problem without your teacher's help - what do you need to know and where would you find it?

• Prioritise HIGH - MEDIUM - LOW and add "because" to justify your classification

• Organise and present your research plan (consider visuals ways to tables, flow charts, outlines, mind maps, etc.)

• N.B. this is a research plan... not actual research

​

A iii. analyses a range of existing products that inspire a solution to the problem in detail

• First - cast a wide net and collect a wide range of existing product

• Second - find 3-6 key products that stand out and strike a chord

• Third - find a suitable method of analysis for the specific product

• Fourth - use this analysis tool to analyse your 3-6 key products and present your products and analysis

A iv. develops a detailed design brief, which summarizes the analysis of relevant research

• Revisit A ii. and conduct the research you planned and share findings

• Provide clear evidence that a wide variety of research was conducted (citations and bibliography)

• To conclude, craft a neat and concise Design Brief - tips on crafting a design brief:

  • ​present information concisely

  • explain how and why the information is relevant to solving the problem

  • link to research (i.e. cite key elements in your design brief)

  • revisit Ai and address the key elements

  • identify a clear goal "I will design..."

  • who is it for "for ...."

  • why "to solve..."

  • where "created and delivered/installed ... "

​