Clarification details
Updated December 2019. This clarification has been updated to address issues that have arisen from moderation.
The design could include any digital technology outcome. This includes data management, digital media, programming, electronics and computer systems.
Students need to describe the relevant implications and use these to inform the design as it progresses. There is a dedicated clarification that expands on what is meant by relevant implications.
A range of designs (at least three), based on research, are needed to allow a selection of the most appropriate design. The research may involve investigating the purpose of the outcome, the requirements of end users, aesthetic and functional characteristics of existing designs, and relevant implications.
The purpose and end users need to be defined early in the process, so that these can be referred back to later in the work. This will provide the opportunity for students to ensure the design meets the requirements of the purpose and end users at all stages.
The appropriateness of the design should be described in terms of the purpose and the end users, and may refer to the relevant implications.
While the outcome must be digital, it is not required that the design is done using digital tools, i.e. paper diagrams may be sufficient at this step in the process.
Merit requires students to use feedback to improve the design. Feedback may involve trial and test results, and information from end users.
For Merit, learners need to explain how the design meets the relevant implications described.
For Excellence, students need to justify, with evidence, that the outcome is suitable for the purpose and end users. Evidence at Excellence needs to show how the developed functional and aesthetic features of the outcome would address relevant implications, meet the purpose of the outcome, requirements (specifications), and end-user needs. Students could support all discussions with evidence from tests, trials and consultation with end users.