B1 / D1: Design Specifications & Product Testing
Explanation
Design specifications are very important to consider when you create a product. These are the MUST DO's of your design.
Specifications - What your product MUST DO in order to solve a problem successfully?
Testing Methods - How you will test the design specifications to ensure they are successful.
Success Criteria - What quantifiable measurement (number or percentage) would you consider needing to meet in order for your product to be successful? (i.e. 3 / 4 or 75%)
Note that when you test a product, you typically use one of the following methods:
Survey of people’s opinion’s - what questions would be asked, set up the form or template (subjective)
Timing how long an operation takes - what data would be collected and how to record it (objective)
Checklist for Visually or aurally inspecting final product - Spreadsheet with list of what is to be observed etc (subjective)
Observation of users to see how quickly they learn to use the new system, how often they need help or make errors (subjective)
Stress-testing: Use the product or solution in ways that would be expected in real-life operation (objective or subjective)
Inspection: Weigh it or measure it - Specification table with tolerances (objective)
Comparison: Comparing the product with existing products in the marketplace noting strengths and weaknesses (objective or subjective)
Rubric
B1: Design Specifications
1 - 2
not applicable
3 - 4
outlines a research plan, which identifies primary and secondary research needed to develop a solution to the problem, with some guidance
5 - 6
constructs a research plan, which identifies and prioritizes primary and secondary research needed to develop a solution to the problem, with some guidance
7 - 8
constructs a detailed research plan, which identifies and prioritizes the primary and secondary research needed to develop a solution to the problem independently
D1: Product Testing
1 - 2
develops a basic design brief, which states the findings of relevant research
3 - 4
develops a design brief, which outlines the analysis of relevant research.
5 - 6
develops a design brief, which explains the analysis of relevant research
7 - 8
develops a detailed design brief, which summarizes the analysis of relevant research.
Instructions & Exemplars
3D printing
When thinking about your specifications, consider:
What must your 3D printed object do?
What size must it be to achieve that objective?
What items must fit into your object?
Educational Toys
This exemplar of an Educational Toy is for a Braille Chess Set meant for a student at the School for Visually Impaired. Note who each specification is Tested and what the Success Criteria are.
Let there be Light
Example Specifications
Must look aesthetically pleasing to my client (color, size, design, etc)
Must give off the appropriate light for my client's needs (ambient light vs. directional light)
Must turn on and off successfully
Chord must be long enough to reach the wall socket.
Storage Decor
Here are some specific ideas for Specifications you may like to choose from:
The product uses a safe finish
The product is painted or finished in order to be attractive
The form is aesthetically pleasing.
The product is primarily made of either wood or plastic (both?)
The product has a specific function (what?)
The product is designed for....?
The product does not promote anything negative
The product does not use toxic materials
The product is completely safe.
The product is durable
The product is easy to use
Approaches to Learning
Think Critically
MYP.ATL.Thinking-Students must think critically about what the solution needs in order to be successful.In this example, a teacher discusses what students will need to consider when designing a pencil case for a target market. They must think critically and look at all of the following aspects, and then develop a series of "must haves" for their product.
Aesthetics
Consider appearance, style, colour, shape/form, texture, pattern, finish, layout.
Cost
Is there a maximum cost? Is this a material cost/time cost/selling cost?
Customer
Who it is for? What is the target user’s age, gender, socio-economic background?
Environmental considerations
Where will the solution be used? How will the design directly or indirectly affect the environment?
Function (vs form)
What it must do? What is its purpose? Where will the product be stored? How easily can it be used/maintained?
Manufacturing
What resources are available? Are there limitations as to how this can be created? How much time is needed to create the design?
Materials
What materials are available? What properties do the materials need to have?
Safety
What safety factors need to be incorporated into the design?
Testing Methods / Focus Groups
How will you test if your specification was a success? Typical testing methods include:
Survey of people’s opinion’s - what questions would be asked, set up the form or template (subjective)
Timing how long an operation takes - what data would be collected and how to record it (objective)
Checklist for Visually or aurally inspecting final product - Spreadsheet with list of what is to be observed etc (subjective)
Observation of users to see how quickly they learn to use the new system, how often they need help or make errors (subjective)
Stress-testing: Use the product or solution in ways that would be expected in real-life operation (objective or subjective)
Inspection: Weigh it or measure it - Specification table with tolerances (objective)
Comparison: Comparing the product with existing products in the marketplace noting strengths and weaknesses (objective or subjective)
Non-biased Surveys
How will you design a survey that doesn't lead the target audience to the answers you want them to say? Objective language and choices may just help.
Survey with Design Specifications
This survey is a good example of how you could test your ideas or concept sketches with a sample group of your target audience.