Baccalauréat international · IB Diploma

Design Technology · SL

Papers, samples and curriculum documents for this course. · ⁨Dossiers, échantillons et documents de programme pour ce cours.⁩

← Exams · ⁨Examens⁩

Course units and learning goals · ⁨Unités de cours et objectifs d'apprentissage⁩

These lessons teach selected course objectives. Check the remaining coverage gaps; the material is not a complete preparation programme. · ⁨Ces leçons abordent des objectifs de cours sélectionnés. Vérifiez les lacunes restantes en couverture ; ce matériel ne constitue pas un programme d'entraînement complet.⁩

Lessons · ⁨Leçons⁩ →Vocabulary practice · ⁨Pratique du vocabulaire⁩ →

A · Design in theory

Designing the fit between people, tasks and products.
Choose data for the target population and task. Clearance often needs a larger-user percentile; reach may need a smaller-user percentile. A single mean dimension cannot satisfy every design constraint.
Observe an approved low-risk task with consent, interview users without leading questions, and record measurable success criteria. Test an early model before committing to expensive materials. Do not collect unnecessary personal measurements.
Measurement of human body dimensions for a specified population and method.
A clearance dimension often needs to consider larger relevant body dimensions, while reach can require smaller relevant dimensions. Neither principle automatically selects a universal percentile. The measured population, posture, clothing, capability and task determine relevance. Consider physical, perceptual and cognitive demands together rather than assuming body size explains every usability issue.
Define a consenting user group and task. Use attributed data or anonymous teacher-approved measurements, record measurement posture and units, and test safe low-fidelity models before construction. Include users whose access needs differ. Set measurable acceptance criteria and retain qualitative feedback about grip, visibility and comprehension alongside dimensions.

ergonomics: Study of interactions between people, tasks and systems to inform design
specification: Measurable requirements a proposed solution should meet
anthropometry: Measurement of human body dimensions for a specified population and method

B · Design in practice

A developing version used to test a solution.
State what each model includes and omits. Compare tests with the same load, geometry and conditions. Iteration means using evidence to revise a solution and testing the revision against the original success criteria.
Make a low-risk model under school workshop rules. Record dimensions, material, process and test method. Use photographs, measurements and user feedback as evidence. Machines and load tests require teacher supervision and approved guards.
The allowed range of variation in a specified dimension.
For a worst-case clearance model, subtract the largest shaft from the smallest hole for minimum clearance, and the smallest shaft from the largest hole for maximum clearance. The calculation assumes the stated dimensional limits and ideal geometry. Shape, alignment, temperature and measurement uncertainty can affect actual assembly.
Use safe school-made models or a provided dimension dataset. Specify dimension units, nominal values and limits before testing. Measure with an appropriate calibrated instrument at agreed positions, record every result and classify against the specified range. Retain rejected pieces and explain whether the problem concerns the design limits, process variation or measurement method.

prototype: A developing version used to test a solution
iteration: Revision guided by evidence and repeated testing
tolerance: The allowed range of variation in a specified dimension
clearance: The dimensional space between mating parts under the stated model

C · Design in context

Design supporting separation and replacement of parts.
Compare a common service over a stated lifetime. Separate fixed tooling cost from cost per item. Include repair, energy, transport and realistic end-of-life pathways rather than using a recycled label as the whole judgement.
Create a bill of materials and an annotated assembly plan. Test whether a worn part can be replaced with normal tools. For HL project development, evaluate production feasibility and commercial assumptions against the applicable cohort guide.

design for disassembly: Design supporting separation and replacement of parts
tolerance: An allowed dimensional variation

Project · Design project

Designing the fit between people, tasks and products.
Choose data for the target population and task. Clearance often needs a larger-user percentile; reach may need a smaller-user percentile. A single mean dimension cannot satisfy every design constraint.
Observe an approved low-risk task with consent, interview users without leading questions, and record measurable success criteria. Test an early model before committing to expensive materials. Do not collect unnecessary personal measurements.
A developing version used to test a solution.
State what each model includes and omits. Compare tests with the same load, geometry and conditions. Iteration means using evidence to revise a solution and testing the revision against the original success criteria.
Make a low-risk model under school workshop rules. Record dimensions, material, process and test method. Use photographs, measurements and user feedback as evidence. Machines and load tests require teacher supervision and approved guards.

ergonomics: Designing the fit between people, tasks and products
specification: Measurable requirements a proposed solution should meet
prototype: A developing version used to test a solution
iteration: Revision guided by evidence and repeated testing

Preparing for this qualification · ⁨Préparation à cette qualification⁩

The official 2027 update confirms design in theory, design in practice and design in context.
Do not display old 2016 Topics 1–10 or its 40% design-project model as the current 2027 assessment.
The school project needs user evidence, measurable specification, concepts, supervised prototype/testing and evaluation; written diagnostics cannot replace it.
SL/HL objective and assessment differences remain unverified until current guide retrieval succeeds.

Teaching coverage still needed · ⁨Couverture pédagogique encore nécessaire⁩

Exact 2027 topic codes and SL/AHL scope await the full guide.
Exact 2027 modelling/material/production objectives await the full guide.
Exact 2027 social/environmental/commercial objectives and AHL distinctions await the guide.
Use a real school-supervised design problem; current rubric and SL/HL project demands await the guide.

Specifications and sample documents · ⁨Spécifications et documents d'échantillon⁩

Course materials · ⁨Matériel pédagogique⁩

Course preparation · ⁨Préparation du cours⁩

Documents are available. Board-specific notes, assessments and interactive past-paper practice are not yet available for every course. · ⁨Les documents sont disponibles. Les notes spécifiques au conseil, les évaluations et la pratique interactive des anciens sujets ne sont pas encore disponibles pour tous les cours.⁩

Lessons · ⁨Leçons⁩ →