Clarification details
Updated May 2015. This document has been updated to address issues that have arisen from moderation.
Depth of evidence required
The depth of development in a product design portfolio should involve investigation and consideration of issues such as form, aesthetics, materials, operation, function, ergonomics, assembly detail, fixtures, fittings, etc. The development process should be iterative, to show how the ideas have been reviewed and considered.
The student should demonstrate depth and balance between the exploration (divergent) and the refinement (convergent) of their design ideas in the development. Exploration is the process of ideation, i.e. conceptualising or big picture ideas. Refinement is the process of adding detail to the design, to enable the design to be realised.
The student needs to demonstrate/provide evidence of design judgements as they develop the design. To reach Merit, the relevant design features should be focussed on when making judgements. Design judgements could be shown with visual communication, analysis of research, annotation or recorded discussions.
Product design knowledge
Explanatory Note 4 details the product design knowledge that must be evident in student submissions.
The student should use a range from all three areas of knowledge in the development of their design ideas:
- design tools
- technical knowledge
- communication techniques.
Research
Explanatory Note 6 requires students to link their design judgements to research. The research should be relevant and embedded into the design development of ideas, rather than a stand-alone component of the process.
Other Information
Further examples that show the expected type of evidence expected can be found on the Design and Visual Communication exemplars and past examination papers page.
Design and Visual Communication exemplars and past examination papers