Design Technology · B2 Process

DTB2.1 — The design process

Design Technology · SL / HL · syllabus-mapped notes

1. DTB2.1.1

   The five sections

   The design process represents a design thinking model and is comprised of five sections.

2. DTB2.1.2

   Research throughout

   Research is an ongoing activity throughout the design process, critical to identifying design opportunities, understanding user needs and generating feasible real-world solutions to problems.

3. DTB2.1.3

   Primary research

   Primary research involves the collection of first-hand data relevant to the design context.

4. DTB2.1.4

   Secondary research

   Secondary research involves the collection of data provided by a third party and is used to support or validate primary research.

5. DTB2.1.5

   Developing a persona

   When empathizing with the user, designers develop a persona used to represent a group of end-users they are solving a problem for.

6. DTB2.1.6

   User observation and storyboards

   Designers engage in user observation, mapping the user’s journey as they carry out a task. They use a storyboard to identify the steps in the design process and design opportunities.

7. DTB2.1.7

   Product analysis

   Product analysis is a tool used by designers to gain insight into the function, performance and features of an existing product.

8. DTB2.1.8

   Defining the problem

   The first step in solving a problem is to define it.

9. DTB2.1.9

   Design specifications

   Defining clear design specifications leads to clear parameters for the development of a solution.

10. DTB2.1.10

    Ideation and modelling

    The ideation and modelling stage involves developing distinct ways to solve a particular problem that demonstrate different approaches to develop a solution.

11. DTB2.1.11

    Iterative analysis and evaluation

    Iterative analyses and evaluation of design ideas lead to improved design ideas.

12. DTB2.1.12

    Model, test, refine

    When developing a solution, designers use an iterative model, test, refine cycle until all major design specifications and user requirements are satisfied.

13. DTB2.1.13

    Models, prototypes and mock-ups

    Models, prototypes and mock-ups of solutions are created to test their effectiveness and to gather feedback for further refinement and development.

14. DTB2.1.14

    Communicating for manufacture

    The physical details of a new product need to be communicated for it to be manufactured.

15. DTB2.1.15

    Presenting a solution

    When presenting a solution, it is important to communicate clearly the need for the solution, and the key features that demonstrate how it solves a given problem.