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.
