The IB Design Technology design project is the internal assessment (IA) and one of the most important parts of the course. It is also where many students either secure strong grades or lose marks unnecessarily. Unlike exams, the design project rewards long-term planning, reflection, and clear decision-making rather than performance under time pressure.
Understanding what the design project really is — and what examiners are looking for — is essential for success.
What Is the Design Project?
The design project is an individual, user-centred design investigation completed over several months. Students must identify a real problem, design a solution for a specific user, and evaluate how effectively that solution meets user needs.
It is not about building the most complex product. Instead, it assesses how well students can:
- Apply design thinking
- Justify decisions using evidence
- Show development and iteration
- Reflect critically on outcomes
The project mirrors how real designers work, from problem identification to evaluation.
Key Stages of the Design Project
While schools may structure it differently, the project generally follows four clear stages.
Identifying the Problem
Students begin by identifying a real, user-focused problem. Strong projects use specific users and clear contexts rather than vague issues.
A good problem:
- Is based on evidence
- Links clearly to user needs
- Is realistic and manageable
Poor problem choices often limit marks later, no matter how good the final product looks.
Research and Design Development
Students then conduct user-centred research to inform design decisions.
This stage involves:
- Understanding user needs and limitations
- Generating multiple ideas
- Selecting and justifying a final design direction
Research is only valuable if it directly influences design choices. Large amounts of unused research add little value.
Prototyping, Testing, and Iteration
This stage is where many students lose marks.
High-scoring projects show:
- Meaningful testing
- Feedback from users
- Clear changes based on results
Iteration is essential. A design that never changes suggests weak design thinking, even if the final product works.
Evaluation
The final stage focuses on how well the solution meets user needs.
Strong evaluation:
- Refers back to original design requirements
- Uses testing and user feedback as evidence
- Acknowledges limitations honestly
Evaluation is not a summary. It is a critical reflection on success and areas for improvement.
How the Design Project Is Assessed
The design project is marked internally by teachers and moderated by IB. Examiners look for:
- Clear justification at every stage
- Evidence of decision-making
- Consistent user focus
- Reflection and evaluation
Projects score poorly when they are descriptive, rushed, or focused too heavily on appearance instead of reasoning.
Common Design Project Mistakes
Students often lose marks by:
- Choosing vague or unrealistic problems
- Treating the project like a presentation
- Skipping iteration
- Leaving evaluation until the end
The most common issue is poor time management, not lack of ability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is the design project compared to exams?
The design project carries significant weight and can strongly influence the final grade. It cannot fully replace good exam performance, but it can be a major advantage when done well.
Do you need to build a final product?
You need to develop and test a solution, but marks are awarded for thinking and evaluation, not craftsmanship. A simple prototype with strong justification often scores higher than a complex one with weak explanation.
Can you change your idea during the project?
Yes, and this is encouraged. Showing how and why ideas evolved demonstrates strong design thinking and often leads to higher marks.
Final Thoughts
The IB Design Technology design project rewards organisation, reflection, and clear thinking. Students who treat it as a process rather than a product consistently achieve stronger results.
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