Choosing an IA topic is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — steps in IB Design Technology. Many students believe a “good” topic means a complex product or a unique invention. In reality, strong IA topics are clear, focused, and easy to justify, not ambitious or flashy.
A poor topic quietly limits marks no matter how hard you work later. A strong topic makes high marks achievable from the start.
What Makes an IA Topic “Good” in IB Design Technology?
A good IA topic is not defined by what you build, but by what problem you solve.
Strong IA topics:
- Focus on a specific, real user
- Address a genuine, ongoing problem
- Are supported by evidence
- Allow for testing and iteration
- Are realistic within time and resource limits
If a topic makes testing and evaluation easy, it is usually a good choice.
Start With the User, Not the Product
The most common mistake is choosing a product first.
Weak starting points:
- “I want to build a desk organiser”
- “I want to design a smart device”
Strong starting points:
- A specific user struggling with a task
- A clear limitation in an existing solution
- A repeated, observable problem
Once the user and problem are clear, the product almost designs itself.
Characteristics of Strong IA Users
Strong IA users are:
- Specific (one person or a clear group)
