← Design and Technology syllabus

EnglandDesign and Technology

3.3 Designing and making principles

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do designers communicate ideas clearly to clients, users and manufacturers?

Communicating design ideas using freehand sketching, 2D and 3D drawing such as isometric and perspective, working drawings, annotation, modelling and digital tools including CAD.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology making principle on communicating design ideas, covering freehand sketching, isometric and perspective drawing, working drawings, annotation and CAD.
9 min answer →

How do you turn a problem into a clear brief and a measurable specification?

Writing design briefs and design specifications, including identifying problems, the needs of users, and writing specification criteria that are measurable and justified.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology making principle on design briefs and specifications, covering how to write a brief, produce measurable specification criteria, and justify them.
9 min answer →

What strategies help a designer generate and develop creative ideas?

Design strategies used to generate and develop ideas, including collaboration, user-centred design, systems thinking, iterative design and the avoidance of design fixation.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology making principle on design strategies, covering collaboration, user-centred design, systems thinking, iterative design and avoiding design fixation.
9 min answer →

How do environmental, social and economic challenges shape the decisions a designer makes?

How environmental, social and economic challenges influence design decisions, including designing for different cultures and societies, inclusive and accessible design, fair trade, and the pull of the market against the push of technology.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Design and Technology making principle on environmental, social and economic challenge, covering how sustainability, inclusive and culturally aware design, fair trade, and market pull against technology push shape real design decisions.
9 min answer →

How does research and the work of others inform a successful design?

Investigation, primary and secondary data, understanding the needs of clients and users, and the work of past and present designers and companies that influence design thinking.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology making principle on investigation and the work of others, covering primary and secondary research, user needs, and influential designers and companies.
9 min answer →

How do you plan, measure and cut materials accurately while reducing waste?

Selecting and using tools and equipment, accurate marking out, measuring and cutting, using templates, jigs and patterns, tolerances, and managing material efficiently to reduce waste.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology making principle on material management and tools, covering marking out, measuring, templates and jigs, tolerances, and reducing material waste.
9 min answer →

How is a design idea developed and tested into a working prototype?

Prototype development, including making models and prototypes to test and evaluate ideas, gathering feedback from users, and refining a design against the specification.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Design and Technology making principle on prototype development, covering models and prototypes, testing and user feedback, and refining a design against the specification.
9 min answer →