scholarship assessment task 2025

For this Scholarship Assessment Task we would like you to sketch a range of design ideas (at least 3) for a new 'pod' coffee machine. We would like you to use all of the techniques that you have learnt and present your Design Ideas Rendered, ideally using materials, using Procreate. You can do the initial sketching on paper or in Procreate, that is up to you. We are looking for creativity.  

Following the completion of your Design Ideas you will be asked to select one idea and make a 3D model of this using either Corrugated Cardboard, Foamboard or Styrofoam, or a combination of these materials. You can use any of the machines in D&T to do this - see some examples on this page.

Note the mixture of 'blocky' forms with cylindrical forms and shapes. Look at the small details that break up surfaces. Look at the 'parting' or 'split' lines where different materials or parts are joined together. This also helps to break up form. 

Note that some have used more interesting colours and materials / textures would always get more marks!

Aesthetics - The aesthetic look of the coffee pod machine is up to you but think about Who (Client) you are designing it for.

Environment - Where will the Coffee 'Pod' machine 'live'? What is the enviornment like? i.e. For an office area, In a family kitchen. Be placed on a worktop in a kitchen or office. Should the styling (Aesthetics) reflect that environment or should it be totally different to stand out? 

Environmental - Can the machine use re-usable coffee pods? Could it be made from Sustainable materials? Could it be modular so if a part breaks it could be replaced rather than throwing the whole machine away? How could it be powered?

Size - What kind of coffee(s) can the machine make? Single shot, double shot, long coffee, Cappucino / Latte etc. - this also affects the size of cup / mug / vessel that it can hold. What the machine can do will have an affect on size, buttons, water container size etc. Does it need to be tall and narrow to fit in the environment? 

Safety - Should have no sharp corners. Should protect a user from burning themselves. The water should reach a temperature of 93C, so how do you ensure that remains safe? No loose cables. How do you guarantee that the water is clean? Excess water and spliiages.

Function - What it should do and how it will work. How many buttons will the machine need (this depends on what it will do). What kind of coffee's will the machine produce? How do you keep it clean? How do you refill the water? How do you add the coffee pod? How do you remove the coffee pod? Do you need to keep the coffee warm afetr it has been made? How do you turn it on and off? How do you see how much water is left inside? Does it need to be adjustable for different size of cup / mug / vessel?

Material - If you decide to use metals how do you ensure that they do not get to hot? Think about cleaning the machine. What about finger prints? Can you combine materials together to make it look more aesthetically elegant?