contrapaul / edu

IB DP Design Technology

This project began as a few topic study guides, then a few interactive elements, a game, some practice quizzes, and it's grown to become what I hope is a proper online textbook for DP Design Technology. I didn't have a textbook for much of the first year of the new guide (2025-2026), and was surprised when a textbook was delivered. (I'd been told there would not be a new textbook due to limited students) While the information in the IB-published textbook is sound, the language was challenging for my students to grasp, and we often had to stop and define terms which had been casually used without explanation. (Cognitive overload comes to mind) I hope that you find the resources here to be easier to grasp, and that the interactive elements and games help to clarify topics and make them more memorable. This is a work in progress, and will be continuously updated. Notes about revisions and additions can be found on my blog.

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Topic A | Design in Theory

Foundational knowledge in ergonomics, user research, prototyping, materials, structures, mechanisms, electronics and manufacturing. Some topics are HL only.

A1 | Human Factors
A1.1
Ergonomics
How do ergonomic considerations influence the design of a product?
A2 | Design Thinking & Prototyping
A2.1
User-centred Research Methods
How do designers understand the relationship between users, the product and the environment?
A2.2
Prototyping Techniques
Why is it necessary for designers to prototype ideas as part of a design process?
A3 | Materials, Structures & Systems
A3.1
Material Classification & Properties
How do material properties and classifications aid material selection?
A3.2
Introduction to Structural Systems
How are structures present in everyday products?
A3.3
Introduction to Mechanical Systems
How are mechanisms present in everyday products?
A3.4
Introduction to Electronic Systems
How are electronics present in everyday products?
A4 | Manufacturing
A4.1
Manufacturing Techniques
Why are different manufacturing techniques used for producing different products?

Topic B | Design in Practice

Applied design skills: user-centred design, the design process, modelling, material selection, structural and electronic systems in context, and production systems.

B1 | User-centred Design
B1.1
User-centred Design
How does understanding user needs directly impact the design of products and services?
B2 | Design Process & Modelling
B2.1
The Design Process
How do designers approach problem-solving?
B2.2
Modelling & Prototyping
How do designers communicate ideas to different stakeholders?
B3 | Materials & Systems in Context
B3.1
Material Selection
Why is material selection crucial to designers of products?
B3.2
Structural Systems: Application & Selection
How can structural systems be incorporated into product design?
B3.3
Mechanical Systems: Application & Selection
How can mechanical systems be incorporated into product design?
B3.4
Electronic Systems: Application & Selection
How can electronic systems be incorporated into product design?
B4 | Production
B4.1
Production Systems
How is the ideal production system determined for a product?

Topic C | Design in Context

Designer responsibility, inclusive design, sustainability frameworks, circular economy, product analysis and life-cycle thinking.

C1 | Designer Responsibility & Users
C1.1
Responsibility of the Designer
What is the role of a designer in innovative and continuous product development?
C1.2
Inclusive Design
How do designers design mainstream products and environments that are accessible to the largest possible number of people?
C1.3
Beyond Usability
How do designers go beyond accessibility and usability to address a wider range of issues?
C2 | Sustainability
C2.1
Design for Sustainability
How can design for sustainability ensure we meet our current needs without compromising our future existence?
C2.2
Design for a Circular Economy
How do designers minimize waste and reduce product waste and pollution?
C3 | Product Analysis
C3.1
Product Analysis & Evaluation
How does product analysis and evaluation inform stakeholders and aid future development?
C3.2
Life-cycle Analysis
Why should designers consider the effects a product has on the environment?
C4 | Design for Manufacture
C4.1
Design for Manufacture Strategies
How can the evolution of production systems transform the way products are designed and manufactured?