IB Design Technology Topic A2.2.4 Physical Prototypes for Development Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Design Technology Topic A2.2.4 Physical Prototypes for Development Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

What Physical Prototypes Test

Physical prototypes were introduced in A2.2.3; this lesson looks at what they test and the kinds you can build, because holding and using a real object reveals what a drawing or screen cannot.
Five factors are worth testing:

Factor	Purpose of testing	Example
Scale	Check that size and proportions are right	Holding a model smartphone to test thumb reach
Aesthetics	Explore surface finish, shape, and colour appeal	Reviewing a car dashboard texture and trim colour
Materials	Trial strength, flexibility, texture, or sustainability	Testing a 3D-printed casing against injection-moulded ABS
Function	See how the product operates or performs a task	Building a door handle to test the mechanism
Performance	Evaluate durability, wear, comfort, or reliability	Wearing a prototype running shoe for two weeks

Note

Physical prototypes are not only about function.
They also show how a product will be perceived and used in the real world.

Full-Size and Scaled Models: Mock-ups and Scale Models

The first two types test form and space rather than finish; a mock-up is a rough, fast model that checks size, ergonomics, and basic layout, usually at full size.

Definition

Mock-up

A rough or basic model, often made from inexpensive materials, used to explore form or function quickly.

Built from cheap materials like cardboard or foam, a mock-up puts speed over accuracy so you can get early feedback and iterate.

A scale model keeps the product's proportions but changes its size, which helps when a full-size model is impractical, as in architecture or vehicle design.

Definition

Scale Model

A proportionally scaled-down (or up) version of the product, often non-functional.

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Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

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Note

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Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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What Physical Prototypes Test

Physical prototypes were introduced in A2.2.3; this lesson looks at what they test and the kinds you can build, because holding and using a real object reveals what a drawing or screen cannot.
Five factors are worth testing:

Factor	Purpose of testing	Example
Scale	Check that size and proportions are right	Holding a model smartphone to test thumb reach
Aesthetics	Explore surface finish, shape, and colour appeal	Reviewing a car dashboard texture and trim colour
Materials	Trial strength, flexibility, texture, or sustainability	Testing a 3D-printed casing against injection-moulded ABS
Function	See how the product operates or performs a task	Building a door handle to test the mechanism
Performance	Evaluate durability, wear, comfort, or reliability	Wearing a prototype running shoe for two weeks

Note

Physical prototypes are not only about function.
They also show how a product will be perceived and used in the real world.

Full-Size and Scaled Models: Mock-ups and Scale Models

The first two types test form and space rather than finish; a mock-up is a rough, fast model that checks size, ergonomics, and basic layout, usually at full size.

Definition

Mock-up

A rough or basic model, often made from inexpensive materials, used to explore form or function quickly.

Built from cheap materials like cardboard or foam, a mock-up puts speed over accuracy so you can get early feedback and iterate.

A scale model keeps the product's proportions but changes its size, which helps when a full-size model is impractical, as in architecture or vehicle design.

Definition

Scale Model

A proportionally scaled-down (or up) version of the product, often non-functional.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

A. Design in theory8 subtopics

B. Design in practice8 subtopics

C. Design in context8 subtopics

IB Design Technology Topic A2.2.4: Physical Prototypes for Development Notes

A. Design in theory8 subtopics

B. Design in practice8 subtopics

C. Design in context8 subtopics

What Physical Prototypes Test

Full-Size and Scaled Models: Mock-ups and Scale Models

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

What Physical Prototypes Test

Full-Size and Scaled Models: Mock-ups and Scale Models

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account