Design idea development is one of the easiest places to gain or lose marks in the IB Design Technology IA. Many students either rush this stage or misunderstand what IB is actually looking for. They produce sketches without explanation or jump straight to a final idea without showing thinking.

In IB Design Technology, design ideas are not assessed for creativity. They are assessed for development, justification, and progression.

What IB Means by “Design Idea Development”

Developing design ideas means:

• Exploring multiple possible solutions
• Showing how ideas respond to the problem
• Justifying decisions using research and requirements
• Demonstrating progression toward a final solution

IB is not interested in random brainstorming. Examiners want to see logical narrowing and improvement.

The Biggest Design Ideas Mistake

The most common mistake is presenting multiple ideas with no comparison or reasoning.

Weak approach:

• Several sketches
• Minimal explanation
• No link to requirements
• No indication of why one idea is better

This looks busy but scores poorly.

IB rewards thinking, not volume.

How Many Design Ideas Do You Need?

There is no fixed number.

Strong projects usually show:

• A small number of clearly different ideas
• Each idea responding to the problem in a different way
• Clear strengths and weaknesses

Three well-explained ideas are far stronger than six unexplained ones.

What Makes a Strong Design Idea?

A strong design idea:

• Clearly addresses the problem
• Links directly to design requirements
• Uses research to justify features
• Has identifiable strengths and limitations

If an idea cannot be explained in terms of why it works, it is not strong — even if it looks good.

How to Explain Design Ideas Effectively

For each idea, you should explain:

• What the idea is
• How it addresses user needs
• Which requirements it meets well
• Where it may fall short

This turns sketches into evidence of thinking, which is what examiners reward.

Using Research in Design Idea Development

High-scoring projects actively use research at this stage.

Examples:

• User feedback influences layout or size
• Existing product analysis shapes functionality
• Ergonomic research justifies form or dimensions
• Material research informs feasibility

Research should feel embedded, not added later.

Comparing Design Ideas (This Is Where Marks Are Earned)

IB values comparison.

Strong projects:

• Compare ideas against key requirements
• Identify trade-offs
• Explain why some ideas are rejected

This shows evaluation and decision-making — two high-value skills.

Avoid statements like:

• “Idea 3 is the best.”

Instead, explain why it performs better.

Showing Progression Toward a Final Design

Design ideas should lead logically to the final solution.

Examiners look for:

• Clear reasoning behind the chosen idea
• Evidence that weaknesses were considered
• Explanation of how the final design builds on earlier ideas

If the final design appears suddenly, marks are often capped.

What Examiners Look For in This Section

Examiners ask:

• Are ideas clearly different?
• Is reasoning explained?
• Are decisions justified using requirements and research?
• Is progression logical?

They do not assess sketch quality or artistic ability.

Common Design Idea Pitfalls

Students often lose marks by:

• Including ideas just to “fill space”
• Not linking ideas to requirements
• Choosing an idea without justification
• Avoiding discussion of weaknesses

Honest comparison always scores higher than forced positivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do sketches have to be detailed?

No. Clarity and explanation matter more than artistic quality.

Can one idea evolve instead of having many?

Yes. As long as progression and justification are clear.

Is it bad if early ideas are weak?

No. Weak early ideas can strengthen marks if their limitations are analysed properly.

Final Thoughts

Design idea development in IB Design Technology is not about being creative — it is about showing how you think. Students who explain, compare, and justify ideas clearly almost always outperform those who simply present more sketches.

Think less about how many ideas you show, and more about how well you explain them.

RevisionDojo Tip

RevisionDojo is the best platform for IB Design Technology students who want to develop design ideas the right way. With examiner-focused examples, clear comparison frameworks, and step-by-step guidance, RevisionDojo helps students turn early ideas into well-justified final designs that score highly.