Before choosing IB Design Technology at Standard Level (SL), many students want to know exactly what they will study. Unlike subjects that feel fragmented, IB Design Technology SL is designed to connect theory, practice, and real-world context into a single coherent course.
Understanding the SL topics early helps students revise more effectively and avoid the common mistake of focusing on the wrong areas.
How the IB Design Technology SL Course Is Structured
The IB Design Technology SL syllabus is organised into three interconnected strands:
- Design in theory
- Design in practice
- Design in context
These strands are not taught in isolation. Instead, they are woven together throughout the course and assessed together in exams and coursework.
Design in Theory: Understanding How Design Works
This part of the syllabus focuses on the foundational ideas behind good design.
Students learn about:
- Human factors and ergonomics, including how products interact with users
- User-centred research methods, such as interviews, observations, and surveys
- Materials and their properties, including why certain materials are chosen for specific uses
At SL, the emphasis is on understanding principles rather than deep technical detail. Students are expected to explain how theory informs design decisions rather than memorising large amounts of data.
Design in Practice: Applying the Design Process
Design in practice focuses on how designers actually work.
Key topics include:
- The IB design process, from identifying a problem to evaluation
- Modelling and prototyping techniques, both physical and digital
- Communicating ideas through sketches, diagrams, and annotations
This strand prepares students for both exams and the internal assessment. It teaches students how to justify design choices and explain development clearly, which is essential for scoring well.
Design in Context: Design in the Real World
Design in context is where IB Design Technology becomes strongly linked to global issues and ethics.
SL students study:
- The responsibility of the designer
- Inclusive design, ensuring products are accessible to diverse users
- Sustainability, including environmental impact and responsible material use
Exams often assess this area through scenario-based questions that ask students to evaluate design decisions in social, environmental, or ethical contexts.
How These Topics Appear in Exams
In exams, students are rarely asked to recall theory in isolation. Instead, questions usually:
- Present a design scenario
- Ask students to apply relevant theory
- Require justification and evaluation
This means understanding connections between topics is more important than memorising definitions.
How Topics Connect to the Design Project
Everything studied at SL feeds directly into the design project.
For example:
- Ergonomics informs user needs
- Materials knowledge supports design decisions
- Sustainability influences evaluation
Students who understand SL topics conceptually find the design project much more manageable.
Common Misconceptions About SL Content
Many students believe SL content is simple or limited. In reality:
- The depth of explanation matters more than the volume of content
- Marks depend on clarity and reasoning
- Weak understanding of core topics leads to poor exam performance
SL requires just as much thinking as HL, but with less technical depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do SL students study sustainability in depth?
SL students study sustainability conceptually, focusing on impact and responsibility rather than detailed calculations or advanced systems.
Is there a lot of memorisation in SL Design Technology?
Less than in many IB subjects. Understanding and application are prioritised over memorising facts.
Are SL topics enough to score highly?
Yes. Students who understand SL topics deeply and apply them clearly can achieve top grades.
Final Thoughts
IB Design Technology SL covers a broad and meaningful range of topics that prepare students for exams, coursework, and real-world problem-solving. Success comes from understanding how topics connect, not from learning them in isolation.
RevisionDojo Tip
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