Design and Problem Solving
Design and Problem Solving
This domain tests the evidence trail from a brief to a justified solution. It is not enough to produce an attractive object; the exam looks for problem definition, research, specification, iteration, evaluation and clear communication.
Core rules
- Rewrite the brief as a short problem statement and a measurable specification: function, user, environment, materials, safety, ergonomics, sustainability and cost.
- Research should inform decisions, not decorate the portfolio. Use user observation, anthropometric data, existing products and material properties, then state what each source changed.
- Generate several distinct concepts before developing one. Sketch fast, annotate, and compare against the specification.
- Develop with dimensions, joints, manufacturing methods and tolerances. A concept without construction detail is not a design solution.
- Evaluate against the original brief, not against personal preference, and record changes made after testing.
Worked example
Design a reusable cable tidy for a classroom desk. The brief implies many users, repeated use and no permanent fixing. Specification: hold four cables, fit a 20–40 mm desk edge, tool-free installation, no sharp edges, recyclable material, target cost under €3. Concepts: a spring clip, a weighted trough and a hook-and-loop strap. The spring clip wins on tool-free use but needs a rib to prevent cable slip. Develop it in 2 mm polypropylene with a 25 mm jaw opening, a 5 mm fillet on all user-contact edges, and a living hinge. Test with a cardboard mock-up; the hinge cracks, so change to a two-part snap fit and note the reason.
Traps that cost marks
Jumping to one solution, ignoring the brief’s constraints, presenting unannotated sketches, claiming ergonomics without dimensions, and evaluating only appearance.