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IB Grade 8 Product Design
This Grade 8 Product Design course introduces students to the fundamental principles of designing physical products that meet human needs and aspirations. Aligned with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) Design criteria, students will engage in a hands-on, iterative design process—investigating real-world problems, developing innovative solutions, creating prototypes, and evaluating outcomes. Through a balance of theory, research, and practical workshops, learners will build technical skills (sketching, model-making, simple digital tools) alongside critical thinking, collaboration, and reflective practices. By the end of the course, students will have produced a portfolio of design projects that demonstrate their ability to empathize with users, apply design thinking, and communicate ideas effectively.
Course Chapters
Unit 1: Introduction to Design Thinking
The unit introduces Design Thinking as a human-centered, iterative process essential for solving complex problems. It covers the five stages: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test, emphasizing collaborative learning through analysis of case studies and hands-on workshops. Students are encouraged to utilize user feedback to refine ideas and prototypes in real contexts, reinforcing the importance of empathy and iteration in design.
Unit 2: User Research & Problem Definition
The unit explores the critical processes of user research and problem definition, focusing on methods like interviews and surveys, persona creation, and journey mapping. It emphasizes the importance of understanding user needs through ethical practices, effective interviews, and measurement metrics to ensure designs address real issues. Clear problem statements and SMART success criteria provide pathways for impactful design outcomes.
Unit 3: Idea Generation & Concept Development
The chapter focuses on the critical tools of idea generation and concept development, emphasizing the balance between creativity and structure. It introduces techniques such as SCAMPER and mind-mapping for divergent thinking, along with visual methods like thumbnail sketches and mood boards for conveying emotions in design. Decision matrices provide a means to evaluate concepts, culminating in practical applications through a case study on redesigning a school backpack.
Unit 4: Technical Drawing & CAD Basics
The chapter covers essential principles of technical drawing and CAD, including orthographic and isometric projection techniques. It emphasizes the importance of clear visual communication in engineering and architecture while introducing basic CAD tools. By mastering these skills, learners gain the ability to produce accurate drawings and 3D models, laying the groundwork for advanced design applications.
Unit 5: Materials & Manufacturing Processes
This unit equips students with a comprehensive understanding of materials such as plastics, wood, metals, and composites, along with insights into key manufacturing methods including laser cutting and 3D printing. Environmental impacts and ethical sourcing considerations are explored, emphasizing the importance of responsible material selection. By applying Design for Manufacture (DfM) principles, students learn to create products that are easier and more cost-effective to produce.
Unit 6: Prototyping Techniques
This chapter focuses on the process of prototyping, which involves creating tangible models to transform ideas into functional designs. It covers various levels of prototyping from low-fidelity methods using simple materials to high-fidelity prototypes involving digital technology, emphasizing an iterative approach of building, testing, and improving. It highlights the importance of feedback and reflection in refining designs to meet user needs effectively.
Unit 7: User Testing & Evaluation
User testing and evaluation are essential steps in the design cycle that transition concepts and prototypes to practical applications. Understanding user feedback shapes effective design, enhances usability, and identifies areas for improvement. This chapter details approaches to user testing, methods to analyze feedback, and iterative design processes that result in refined prototypes catering to users' needs.
Chapter 8: Sustainable Design & The Circular Economy
Sustainable design integrates ecological considerations with social equity to address the pressing global challenges of resource depletion, pollution, and social injustice. By utilizing methodologies like Life Cycle Assessment, stakeholders can evaluate a product's environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. The chapter highlights the principles of the circular economy, emphasizing reuse, recycling, and design for disassembly to foster sustainable production and consumption practices.
Chapter 9: Design for Manufacture & Assembly (DFMA)
Design for Manufacture & Assembly (DFMA) is an essential approach in product design emphasizing simplicity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing and assembly processes. It seeks to reduce production costs, enhance quality, and accelerate time-to-market by integrating the roles of designers, engineers, and manufacturing experts early in the product development lifecycle. Understanding various manufacturing processes and how they relate to material selection and design considerations also plays a crucial role in achieving cost-effective design decisions.
Chapter 10: Branding, Packaging & Product Identity
Product identity emerges as a crucial aspect of consumer perception, transcending mere functionality. It encompasses a product's design, visual communication, and the emotional connection it establishes with users. Strong product identity allows brands to differentiate themselves in a crowded market, fostering recognition, loyalty, and perceived value, all of which are vital for commercial success.
Chapter 11: User Experience (UX) & Human-Centered Design
The chapter explores the importance of User Experience (UX) and Human-Centered Design by emphasizing the need to prioritize user satisfaction through usability, accessibility, and desirability. By understanding the entire user's journey and employing mapping tools and iterative testing, designers can create products that resonate with diverse user needs and contexts, leading to meaningful interactions. This human-centered approach transcends traditional design, ensuring products are not just functional, but also enriching experiences that enhance users' lives.
Chapter 12: Design Portfolio & Capstone Project
The chapter culminates in a comprehensive guide to executing a Capstone Project, emphasizing self-directed learning and project management. It outlines the iterative design process required to create a compelling design portfolio that showcases an individual's journey through product design. The focus lies on mastering essential skills, conduct professional documentation, and effectively presenting design work to a broader audience, while also encouraging critical reflection on personal growth and future aspirations.