← Design and Technology syllabus

EnglandDesign and Technology

Topic 1.14 to 1.17 Designing and making principles

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do designers develop, communicate, record and justify design ideas using a range of techniques?

Techniques to develop, communicate, record and justify design ideas, including freehand sketching, annotated and isometric and perspective drawing, orthographic and exploded views, schematic diagrams, CAD and written justification.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.17 on the techniques to develop, communicate, record and justify design ideas, including freehand sketching, isometric and perspective drawing, orthographic and exploded views, schematic diagrams and CAD.
10 min answer →

How do contexts and human, economic and environmental factors influence the design and making of products?

How design takes place within contexts, investigating environmental, social and economic challenges, opportunities and constraints, including fair trade, carbon offsetting, green design, recycling, human capability, cost and life cycle analysis.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.14 on how contexts and environmental, social and economic challenges influence designing and making, including fair trade, carbon offsetting, green design, recycling and life cycle analysis.
10 min answer →

How do designers use design strategies to generate initial ideas and avoid design fixation?

The use of different design strategies to generate initial ideas and avoid design fixation, including collaboration, user-centred design and systems thinking, within an iterative design process.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.16 on the design strategies used to generate ideas and avoid design fixation, including collaboration, user-centred design, systems thinking and iterative design.
10 min answer →

How do designers investigate and analyse existing products and the work of others to inform their own design?

Strategies for investigating and analysing the work of past and present professionals and companies and existing products, using specification criteria such as form, function, user requirements, materials, cost, sustainability and marketability.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology 1.15 on investigating and analysing the work of past and present designers and companies and existing products, using criteria such as form, function, materials, cost and sustainability.
10 min answer →

What does the non-exam assessment (NEA) require, and how is it marked?

The non-exam assessment design and make project (component 2), its four parts (Investigate, Design, Make, Evaluate), the iterative process, the contextual challenges and how the 100 marks are awarded.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology non-exam assessment (component 2), explaining the Investigate, Design, Make and Evaluate parts, the iterative process, the contextual challenges and how the 100 marks are awarded.
10 min answer →