Year 7 Theory Lesson 9: Evaluating Design Solutions

Reading: Evaluating Design Solutions

Evaluating design solutions involves using criteria to assess their effectiveness in meeting community needs. Criteria are standards used to judge the success of a design, such as functionality, sustainability, and cultural relevance. Aboriginal communities in Western Australia use seasonal calendars, which track environmental cycles to guide resource use, ensuring sustainable practices. For example, they evaluate tools like coolamons, wooden vessels used for carrying food or babies, based on durability and minimal environmental impact. This ensures designs meet community needs while preserving resources.

Success criteria include social, ethical, and environmental factors. Aboriginal evaluation relies on community feedback, a holistic approach that considers all aspects of impact on people and country. Storytelling is used to share knowledge and assess outcomes, ensuring cultural relevance. Modern designers apply similar principles, balancing cost, efficiency, and social benefits to create sustainable solutions. This promotes preferred futures that benefit society.

Effective evaluation ensures viable products through careful assessment. Aboriginal knowledge integrates land management practices, such as fire-stick farming, a technique using controlled burns to regenerate land. Modern water conservation systems are evaluated for efficiency, ensuring minimal resource waste. Criteria balance economic viability with environmental impact, creating solutions that align with cultural values.