2. Generating and appraising design ideas leading to a design proposal

Stage 2 Generating and appraising design ideas leading to a design proposal

Candidates should be able to:

• generate conceptual ideas and evaluate them using an iterative design process, leading to the creation of a design proposal

Candidates generate at least three ideas to meet the design brief and design specification. The ideas must be supported with annotated sketches and research to feed into the design ideas.

Candidates evaluate the three ideas against the design specification, using an iterative design process, and produce a design proposal.

The candidate’s portfolio must provide the following evidence:

(a) Generate at least three ideas

• use of freehand sketches with annotations to communicate a range of innovative ideas

• summary of the research used to inspire the design ideas (for example, design movements or fashion and trends)

Candidates should produce a range of ideas. A range of ideas is considered to be at least three ideas that are significantly different. Candidates can submit more than three ideas but they should focus on the quality of the ideas rather than the quantity.

The ideas should satisfy the design brief and design specification produced in Stage 1.

Freehand sketches are a good way of showing creativity in design thinking. Candidates can use electronic devices such as sketching directly on to a tablet with a stylus pen. However, formal CAD drawings such as orthographic views must not be submitted in Stage 2.

(b) Evaluate at least three ideas

• ongoing evaluation of the ideas

• summative evaluation of the ideas against the design specification produced in Stage 1

(c) Iterative design process used to produce a design proposal

• positive features from the ideas combined and refined to create a design proposal

• further market research of potential end-users completed to create a design proposal

• design proposal checked against the design specification produced in Stage 1

Research takes place in both Stages 1 and 2. In Stage 1 candidates use the research to identify a situation or need. In Stage 2 the research is focused on the information needed to create a design proposal.