SL

Standard Level

SL projects should focus on invention:

The process of discovering a principle. A technical advance in a particular field often resulting in a novel product.

SL projects can focus on the needs of a specific person and their design context, or on a large market need. You would design, test, and evaluate with that person.

HL

Higher Level

HL projects should focus on innovation:

The business of putting an invention in the marketplace and making it a success.

HL should focus on a problem that has a market beyond a single person. The project can be inspired by a single person and their needs, but it must be a design opportunity that can be explored at a larger scale. You would design, test, evaluate, and modify your design with the goal of commercial production (Criterion E and F)

Projects to consider

You have a range of opportunities to consider for your inquiry:

• Redesign of an existing product with the goal of improving its performance, environmental sustainability, efficiency, etc.

• Development of a new solution that addresses a unique problem based on user research

• A design problem that addresses a need in your community (local, school, professional, cultural...)

• Design problems inspired by the UN sustainability goals

Projects to avoid

In general it is best to avoid the following types of projects as they cannot fully address all the criteria needed in the Design Inquiry and do not meet with the scope and sequence of DP Design:

• Websites, Multimedia presentations

• Smartphone apps, Digital interfaces, Software

• Projects that are clearly solving your problem or need as these don't allow authentic user research, testing, and feedback.