2. Investigation - (iv) Develop a detailed design brief that summarizes the analysis of relevant research
By the end of year 5 students should be able to:
At this point, students have collected a great deal of data that requires analysis and summary to inform the design of the solution and be useful. The analysis and summary must be presented in a design brief, a series of detailed paragraphs that present only the useful information.
The brief shouldn’t solve the problem at this stage, but instead outline what the student intends to design to solve the problem, provide answers to each of the research questions, and clarify the essential and desirable features of a solution. It should also state any determined values that the design must meet, such as the following.
- collect quantitative and qualitative data through surveys, interviews and/or discussion groups using a variety of open and closed questions
- summarize the analysis of relevant data in a clear, concise way, explaining why and how the information is relevant and useful to the development of design ideas
- evaluate the validity of information collected through primary and secondary sources
- cite all primary and secondary sources of information correctly and fully
- formulate a detailed design brief, clearly articulating what is to be made and why
At this point, students have collected a great deal of data that requires analysis and summary to inform the design of the solution and be useful. The analysis and summary must be presented in a design brief, a series of detailed paragraphs that present only the useful information.
The brief shouldn’t solve the problem at this stage, but instead outline what the student intends to design to solve the problem, provide answers to each of the research questions, and clarify the essential and desirable features of a solution. It should also state any determined values that the design must meet, such as the following.
- When designing a bird house, the student may have researched the size of desired birds and therefore determined the size of the entry hole to the bird house.
- When designing a new noodle product, the student may have determined the “base” recipe for making the noodles as part of his or her research.
- When designing a web page, the student may have identified certain fonts or images that need to be included.
- When designing a video game, the student may have identified particular sprites that he or she will use to represent the main characters in the game.
When writing a design brief
Students should
- present information concisely
- explain how and why the information is relevant to solving the problem
- evaluate the validity of the data
- present their research in an appendix
- cite all sources of information using appropriate conventions
- write large paragraphs of text
- include statements that do not relate to solving the problem
- make statements without evidence from expert opinion or data
- include all of their research within the body of the project
Example
After researching the problems my parents have with their bedroom and bathroom, I have decided to design a dressing table for my mom for her bedroom.
This dressing table will:
This dressing table will:
- Include a mirror large enough for my mom to use when preparing in the morning.
- Include special designed accessory holders for the variety of jewellery and accessories my mom has so that they will all be neat, presentable and easy to take off and put on.
- Include a place/tray for all the perfume to be able to stand on, which will make it easy for my mom to choose her perfume each day.
- Include a few little storage boxes which my mom can place her hair clips in, her hair ties in, and other accessories or products that cannot get tangled up with each other.
- Be decorative, so that it really fits in with bedroom and will add to the bedroom being a cosy and warm room.
- Have a place for candles where they are safe (from falling and safe to light up) and will add to the look and feel of the room.
- be made so that it is very stable, this will be done through constructing the table using the series of joints that I have identified in the research.
- include at least one of the colours of the bedroom so that it fits with the bedroom.
- be according to the measurements of my mom, so that she will be able to sit down easily and so that her legs are not against the bottom of the table as well as placing everything well so that my mom can easily reach everything and place everything when she used something.
- be environmentally friendly because it will be recyclable and so if my parents decide to throw it away after a few years of use, the materials can be used for other projects or making other objects.
- be user-friendly.