QCAA Design case studies
QCAA Design · Put your knowledge to work in context.
QCAA Design is a senior secondary subject in Queensland, Australia, offered under the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. It suits students who want to move from an idea to a resolved product, system or environment, and who are willing to document their thinking as carefully as they build. The QCAA Design case studies are 6 cases and about 2,634 words.
1The Overloaded Community Garden Shelter
A Year 12 student is designing a shade shelter for a community garden. The brief requires it to seat six people, cost under 400 in materials, and withstand 90 km/h winds.
517 words, about 3 min2The Smart Bottle That Nobody Could Open
A student team is designing a 'smart hydration bottle' for hikers. Their design process went: brainstorm features, choose the most exciting idea, build a prototype, then test it once with three classmates.
437 words, about 2 min3Choosing a Joint for a Load-Bearing Shelf
A student is building a wall-mounted timber shelf to hold a 40 kg aquarium. The wall is timber-framed with plasterboard.
416 words, about 2 min4The Poster That Tested Well With the Wrong People
A student designed an A2 safety poster for a school workshop. The poster uses dark grey text on a mid-blue background, 18 pt body text, a busy photographic background behind the main warning, and a red 'DANGER' heading.
415 words, about 2 min5The Recycled Bench That Wasn't
A student proposes a public bench made from '100% recycled plastic' composite. The marketing sheet says the material contains 60% post-consumer plastic and 40% virgin polymer binder, and it is shipped 1,200 km to site.
431 words, about 2 min6The Folio That Couldn't Prove Its Own Success
A student has finished a redesign of a school bag strap for a client with shoulder pain. The brief required reduced pressure on the shoulder, adjustable fit, and a cost under $60.
418 words, about 2 min