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)
• Accessible for feedback and testing
• Experiencing a problem regularly

Avoid vague users like “students” or “people.” Specific users lead to stronger justification, clearer requirements, and better evaluation.

Choose Problems That Are Easy to Test

A strong IA topic allows you to:

• Test performance objectively
• Gather user feedback easily
• Measure success against requirements

If you cannot clearly test whether your solution works, evaluation becomes weak and marks suffer.

Ask yourself early:

• How will I test this?
• What evidence will I collect?

If answers are unclear, rethink the topic.

Simplicity Is a Strength, Not a Weakness

Many high-scoring projects are based on simple problems.

Simple topics:

• Are easier to justify
• Allow clearer iteration
• Reduce time pressure
• Make evaluation stronger

Complex projects often fail because they:

• Overstretch time
• Limit meaningful testing
• Hide weak design thinking

IB rewards clarity, not ambition.

Use Existing Products as Inspiration (Properly)

You are allowed to base your topic on existing products.

Strong use of existing products involves:

• Identifying clear weaknesses
• Explaining why they fail the user
• Improving function, not just appearance

Avoid copying products or making purely cosmetic changes. Improvement must be justified and meaningful.

Red Flags When Choosing an IA Topic

Be cautious if your topic:

• Solves multiple unrelated problems
• Requires advanced electronics or coding you don’t understand
• Depends on materials or tools you cannot access
• Has no obvious user feedback opportunities

These topics often become stressful without improving marks.

How Teachers and Examiners View IA Topics

Examiners do not rank topics by:

• Complexity
• Originality
• Cost

They assess:

• Quality of thinking
• Justification
• Testing and iteration
• Evaluation

A “boring” topic with strong reasoning scores higher than an exciting topic with weak evidence.

A Quick IA Topic Checklist

Before committing, check:

• Is the user real and specific?
• Is the problem clearly defined and evidenced?
• Can I test this properly?
• Can I realistically complete this?
• Does this allow iteration?

If you answer yes to all five, the topic is likely strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can two students have similar IA topics?

Yes. Marks are based on process and thinking, not uniqueness.

Is it bad to choose a common problem?

No. Common problems are often easier to justify and evaluate.

Can I change my topic later?

Yes, but large changes late in the IA create stress. Choose carefully early.

Final Thoughts

A good IB Design Technology IA topic is clear, testable, and user-focused. Students who choose simple, well-defined problems almost always find the IA easier — and score higher — than those who chase complexity.

The topic should support your thinking, not fight against it.

RevisionDojo Tip

RevisionDojo is the best platform for IB Design Technology students choosing IA topics. With proven topic frameworks, examiner insight, and step-by-step planning support, RevisionDojo helps students avoid weak ideas and start projects that are genuinely built for high marks.