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
