Design Thinking
What is Design Thinking?
An understanding of design and the design cycle is an iterative and developmental process. As such, students need support and structure in order to develop their ability to solve real-life design problems.
Design challenges provide a key strategy to scaffold teaching and learning. A design challenge is typically set within a contrived situation and has comparatively weak links to real life. The nature of the challenge will be given to students by the teacher, who will lead them through the design cycle process to develop a product. The challenge will be focused and specific with limited scope for different outcomes.
In later years, MYP design courses should address design problems. A design problem is a real-life problem that needs to be solved for a specific client or a target market. The nature of the problem will be explored by students, who will consider a variety of ways to approach and investigate possible solutions. The problem will include physical or functional requirements that all feasible solutions must meet.
Students are presented with a design situation, from which they identify a problem that needs to be solved. They analyse the need for a solution and conduct an inquiry into the nature of the problem.
In order to reach the aims of design, students should be able to:
i. explain and justify the need for a solution to a problem for a specified client/target audience
ii. identify and prioritize the primary and secondary research needed to develop a solution to the problem
iii. analyse a range of existing products that inspire a solution to the problem
iv. develop a detailed design brief which summarizes the analysis of relevant research.
Students write a detailed specification, which drives the development of a solution. They present the solution.
In order to reach the aims of design, students should be able to:
i. develop a design specification which clearly states the success criteria for the design of a solution
ii. develop a range of feasible design ideas which can be correctly interpreted by others
iii. present the final chosen design and justify its selection
iv. develop accurate and detailed planning drawings/diagrams and outline the requirements for the creation of the chosen solution.
Students plan the creation of the chosen solution and follow the plan to create a prototype sufficient for testing and evaluation.
In order to reach the aims of design, students should be able to:
i. construct a logical plan, which describes the efficient use of time and resources, sufficient for peers to be able to follow to create the solution
ii. demonstrate excellent technical skills when making the solution
iii. follow the plan to create the solution, which functions as intended
iv. fully justify changes made to the chosen design and plan when making the solution.
Students design tests to evaluate the solution, carry out those tests and objectively evaluate its success. Students identify areas where the solution could be improved and explain how their solution will impact on the client or target audience.
In order to reach the aims of design, students should be able to:
i. design detailed and relevant testing methods, which generate data, to measure the success of the solution
ii. critically evaluate the success of the solution against the design specification
iii. explain how the solution could be improved
iv. explain the impact of the solution on the client/target audience.
MYP Progression of Learning
The above chart shows how the MYP gradually increases the rigor from Year 1 (Grade 6) - Year 5 (Grade 10) during the design process. This is how we structure this journey at UNIS Hanoi.
Level 1
In Level 1 Design you will encounter challenges that will build your skills and conceptual understanding using the MYP Design Cycle.
These projects will ease you into the Design Thinking mindset through designing products for a familiar target audience.
Level 2
In Level 2 Design you will learn more difficult skills and gain deeper conceptual understanding of the iterative process of Design Thinking by broadening your target audience to the wider community.
Level 3
In Level 3 Design you will be expected to use the toolbox of skills you have acquired to develop real world solutions for a target market outside of your comfort zone.
MYP Command Terms
