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Summaries · Grade 7 Technology › The design process
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The design process

The five steps of the design process, from investigating to communicating. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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The five steps

1.Investigate2. Design3. Make4. Evaluate5.Communicate
Remember the order: you always investigate first and communicate last.
StepWhat you do
InvestigateGather facts about the problem; look at existing products that solve something similar
DesignWrite the brief and specifications; sketch more than one idea and choose the best
MakeBuild a prototype or model to a plan
EvaluateTest whether it solves the problem and meets the specifications; improve it
CommunicateExplain your choices with drawings, notes and the model
Investigate, design, make, evaluate, communicate.
Investigate, design, make, evaluate, communicate.
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Important words

  • Users: the people the product is made for. It must work for them.
  • Fit for purpose: it does the job it was made for.
  • Modify: change the design to make it better.
  • A freehand sketch captures ideas quickly; a working drawing has exact measurements.
  • A design journal records every decision; teams work together because members bring different skills.
  • Who works in technology? Civil, mechanical and electrical engineers, architects, draughtspersons, technicians, and artisans such as electricians, plumbers and welders.
Rule

A good specification can be measured: you can check whether it has been met.

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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • The design process: investigate, design, make, evaluate, communicate.
  • The design brief says what is made, for whom and why.
  • Specifications are requirements; constraints are limits of time, money and material.
  • A prototype is a working model for testing.
  • Fails the test? Find the weak point, strengthen it and test again.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

I-D-M-E-C: “I Don’t Make Every Cake” (investigate, design, make, evaluate, communicate).

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

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