Design · Topic 8.1
Design Basics
The MYP Design Cycle is a four-stage framework for solving problems. In Grade 6, you learn how to use this cycle to go from identifying a problem to creating and evaluating a solution.
The 4 Design Criteria
| Criterion | Stage | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| A | Inquire & Analyse | Research the problem; identify client/audience; write a design brief |
| B | Develop Ideas | Create a design specification; sketch multiple ideas; justify the best one |
| C | Create the Solution | Build the solution following a plan; document the process |
| D | Evaluate | Test against specification; reflect on success; identify improvements |
Design · Topic 8.1
The Design Cycle
The MYP Design Cycle guides you through solving any design problem. It is a cycle because you often return to earlier stages as you learn more about the problem.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Design cycle | The four-stage MYP framework: Inquire & Analyse → Develop Ideas → Create the Solution → Evaluate |
| Client | The person or group for whom the product is being designed |
| Target audience | The people who will use the final product |
| Design brief | A written statement explaining the design problem and what the solution needs to achieve |
| Design specification | A list of measurable criteria the solution must meet |
| Prototype | A preliminary model of a solution used for testing before making the final version |
| Evaluation | Assessing whether the solution meets the design specification |
| Iteration | Repeating a process to improve it — going back through the cycle to make changes |
The 4 Stages in Detail
- Inquire and Analyse (Criterion A) — Identify the problem. Research existing solutions. Understand who the client and target audience are. Write a design brief summarising the challenge.
- Develop Ideas (Criterion B) — Write a design specification with measurable criteria. Create at least 3 different design ideas (sketches). Compare ideas and justify why you chose the best one.
- Create the Solution (Criterion C) — Follow your plan to build or make the solution. Document each step with photos, screenshots, or notes. If something goes wrong, explain what you changed and why.
- Evaluate (Criterion D) — Test the final solution against each criterion in your design specification. Identify what worked well and what could be improved. Suggest specific changes for next time.
Critical Rule: Your design specification must have measurable criteria. “It must be good” is NOT measurable. “It must load in under 3 seconds” or “it must weigh less than 500 grams” ARE measurable. Always write specifications you can test.
Design · Topic 8.1
Research Skills
Good design starts with good research. In the Inquire and Analyse stage, you need to understand the problem, the client, and what already exists.
What to Research (Criterion A)
- The problem — What need or issue does your design address? Why does it matter?
- The client/audience — Who will use your product? What are their needs, preferences, and limitations?
- Existing products — What similar solutions already exist? What are their strengths and weaknesses?
- Constraints — What limits do you have? (Time, budget, materials, technology, size)
Research Methods
| Method | What It Involves | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Internet research | Searching for existing products, images, and articles | Finding out what similar products already exist |
| Surveys/questionnaires | Asking people questions about their preferences | Understanding what the target audience wants |
| Interviews | Having a conversation with the client or users | Getting detailed information about needs |
| Product analysis | Examining existing products to identify strengths and weaknesses | Learning from what others have done |
Writing a Design Brief
A design brief should answer these questions:
- What is the problem?
- Who is the client/target audience?
- Why does the problem need to be solved?
- What must the solution achieve?
Design · Topic 8.1
Sketching & Developing Ideas
In Criterion B, you generate multiple design ideas through sketching and then justify which one is the best solution for the problem.
Design Specification
Before sketching, write a design specification — a list of measurable criteria your solution must meet.
| Good (Measurable) | Poor (Not Measurable) |
|---|---|
| “Must weigh less than 500 grams” | “Must be light” |
| “Must fit on an A4 sheet of paper” | “Must be small enough” |
| “Must load in under 3 seconds” | “Must be fast” |
| “Must cost less than $10 to make” | “Must be cheap” |
| “Must be readable from 2 metres away” | “Must look nice” |
Sketching Tips
- Create at least 3 different ideas — show variety, not three versions of the same design
- Label your sketches — add annotations explaining materials, colours, sizes, and features
- Use colour — colour helps show what the final product will look like
- Show different views — front, side, and top views give a complete picture
- Include dimensions — add measurements where relevant
Justifying Your Chosen Design
After sketching, you must explain why you chose one design over the others. Compare each design against your specification and explain which one best meets the criteria and the needs of the client.
Design · Topic 8.1
Materials & Tools
Choosing the right materials and tools is an important part of creating your solution. Different materials have different properties that affect your design.
Common Material Properties
| Property | What It Means | Example Material |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | Ability to withstand force without breaking | Wood, metal, thick cardboard |
| Flexibility | Ability to bend without breaking | Fabric, thin plastic, rubber |
| Durability | Ability to last over time without wearing out | Metal, stone, hardwood |
| Weight | How heavy or light the material is | Paper (light), metal (heavy) |
| Cost | How expensive the material is | Cardboard (cheap), electronics (expensive) |
| Sustainability | Whether the material is environmentally friendly | Recycled materials, bamboo, organic cotton |
Documenting Your Process (Criterion C)
- Follow your plan — work through the steps in order
- Take photos or screenshots — show each stage of creation
- Record changes — if you modify your plan, explain what changed and why
- List materials and tools — document everything you used
- Note any problems — describe challenges and how you solved them
Design · Topic 8.1
Evaluation
The Evaluate stage (Criterion D) is where you test your solution and reflect on how well it works. It is one of the most important stages of the design cycle.
How to Evaluate Your Solution
- Test against each specification criterion — go through your design specification point by point. Does the solution meet each one?
- Gather feedback — ask the client or target audience what they think. Do they find it useful? Easy to use? Appealing?
- Identify strengths — what worked well? What are you proud of?
- Identify weaknesses — what didn’t work as well? What could be better?
- Suggest improvements — give specific, actionable changes for next time (not just “make it better”)
Good vs Poor Evaluation
| Good Evaluation | Poor Evaluation |
|---|---|
| “The poster met the specification of being readable from 2 metres because I used a 48pt font.” | “The poster was good.” |
| “The website did not load in under 3 seconds. I could improve this by reducing image file sizes.” | “The website was a bit slow.” |
| “User feedback showed 4 out of 5 people found the navigation easy to use.” | “People liked it.” |
Why Evaluation Matters
Without evaluation, you cannot know if your design was successful. The evaluation also drives iteration — going back through the design cycle to make improvements. Real designers almost always go through multiple iterations before arriving at a final product.
Design · Topic 8.1
Practice Q&A
DESCRIBEDescribe what happens in the “Inquire and Analyse” stage of the design cycle.
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Model Answer
In the Inquire and Analyse stage, the designer identifies and explains the problem or need that the product will address. They research the problem by looking at existing similar products to understand what works well and what doesn’t. They also identify the client or target audience. This research is summarised in a design brief that outlines what the solution must achieve.
EXPLAINExplain why the Evaluate stage is important in the design cycle.
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Model Answer
The Evaluate stage is important because it determines whether the solution actually solves the problem it was designed for. The designer tests the product against the design specification. If the product fails any criteria, the evaluation identifies specific improvements to make. Without evaluation, you cannot know if your design was successful or how to improve it.
EXPLAINExplain why a design specification must include measurable criteria.
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Model Answer
Measurable criteria allow you to objectively test whether your solution is successful. For example, “must weigh less than 500 grams” can be checked with a scale, giving a clear yes or no answer. If criteria are vague (“must be good”), you cannot fairly evaluate the product because different people will have different opinions about what “good” means. Measurable criteria make the evaluation fair, clear, and evidence-based.
DESCRIBEDescribe two things you should consider when choosing materials for a design project.
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Model Answer
First, consider suitability — does the material have the right properties for the job? For example, a phone case needs to be durable and lightweight, so you would choose strong but light plastic rather than heavy metal. Second, consider cost and availability — can you afford the material and can you get it within your timeframe? Using expensive or rare materials might make the project impractical.
Design · Review
Flashcard Review
What are the four stages of the MYP Design Cycle?
Inquire & Analyse → Develop Ideas → Create the Solution → Evaluate
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What is a design specification?
A list of measurable criteria that the solution must meet (e.g., “must weigh less than 500g”)
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What is the difference between a client and a target audience?
Client = person/organisation commissioning the design; Target audience = people who will use the final product
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What is a prototype?
A preliminary (early test) model of the solution used for testing and improvement before the final version
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In Criterion A, what must you research?
The problem, existing similar products, the client/audience needs, and any constraints
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What is a design brief?
A written statement explaining the design problem and what the solution needs to achieve
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How many design ideas should you sketch in Criterion B?
At least 3 different ideas — showing variety, not three versions of the same design
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What is iteration in design?
Repeating the design process to improve the solution — going back through stages to make changes based on evaluation
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Give an example of a measurable specification.
“Must weigh less than 500 grams”, “must fit on A4 paper”, “must load in under 3 seconds”
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What does Criterion C assess?
Creating the solution — building it following a plan and documenting the process with photos/notes
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Why is evaluation important?
It tells you if your solution actually works, meets the specification, and identifies specific improvements for next time
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Name three material properties to consider.
Strength, flexibility, durability, weight, cost, sustainability (any three)
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What should you do if something goes wrong during Criterion C?
Document the problem, explain what you changed and why — this shows problem-solving and earns marks
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What is the difference between good and poor evaluation?
Good = tests against specific criteria with evidence; Poor = vague statements like “it was good”
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Name two research methods used in Criterion A.
Internet research, surveys/questionnaires, interviews, product analysis (any two)
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Design · Practice Test
Practice Test
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