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IB Design Technology Topic A2.2 Prototyping… | RevisionDojo

IB
A2.2 Prototyping techniques

A1.1 Ergonomics

A2.1 User-centred research methods

A2.2 Prototyping techniques

A3.1 Material classification and properties

A3.2 Introduction to structural systems (HL only)

A3.3 Introduction to mechanical systems (HL only)

A3.4 Introduction to electronic systems (HL only)

A4.1 Manufacturing techniques (HL only)

B1.1 User-centred design

B2.1 The design process

B2.2 Modelling and prototyping

B3.1 Material selection

B3.2 Structural systems application and selection (HL only)

B3.3 Mechanical systems application and selection (HL only)

B3.4 Electronic systems application and selection (HL only)

B4.1 Production systems (HL only)

C1.1 Responsibility of the designer

C1.2 Inclusive design

C1.3 Beyond usability (HL only)

C2.1 Design for sustainability

C2.2 Design for a circular economy

C3.1 Product analysis and evaluation

C3.2 Life-cycle analysis (HL only)

C4.1 Design for manufacture strategies (HL only)

A2.2B Physical and virtual prototyping

Key Definitions

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Subtopics and learning objectives

A2.2.3 Physical and virtual prototyping

A2.2A Low- and high-fidelity prototyping and design drawings

A2.2C CAD for virtual prototyping

Why Designers Build Prototypes

Before committing to production, designers build prototypes, working models of a design that can be tested and learned from.
A prototype serves four main purposes:
1. Validation: checking the design meets user needs and functions as intended.
2. Iteration: refining and improving it from the feedback.
3. Communication: giving stakeholders a tangible or visual model of the idea.
4. Risk reduction: surfacing problems early while they are still cheap to fix.
Prototypes come in two broad forms, physical and virtual, and each has its strengths.

Physical Prototypes

Definition

Physical Prototype

A tangible, real-world model of a product, built using physical materials.

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A2.2.3 Physical and virtual prototyping
A2.2.4 Physical prototypes for development

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