Year 7 Design and Technologies: Introduction to the Design Process

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the key steps in the design process.
• Identify how design thinking helps solve real-world problems.
• Apply basic design vocabulary in discussions and simple tasks.

This lesson aligns with the Australian Curriculum for Year 7 Design and Technologies, focusing on investigating and generating design ideas (ACTDEK023) and producing designed solutions (ACTDEP027). It is designed to take approximately 60 minutes, including reading, activities, and a quiz.

1. Step 1: Read for Understanding and Answer all Questions (20 minutes):
2. Step 2: In small groups, students brainstorm a simple design for a "sustainable school gadget" (e.g., a pencil holder from recycled items). Use sketches and label with spelling words like "material" and "function." (10 minutes)
3. Step 3: Hands-On: Build a quick prototype using classroom supplies. Evaluate it against criteria like safety and user-friendliness. (20 minutes)
4. Step 4: Presentation of the Design and Construction. (10 minutes)

The design process is like a roadmap for creating new things. It starts with a problem. For example, if you need a better backpack for school, you think about what is wrong with old ones. Then, you research ideas. This means looking at what others have made and asking people what they want. Next, you sketch your ideas on paper. After that, you build a prototype, which is a first model to test. Finally, you evaluate it—check if it works well—and make changes if needed. Designers use this process in technologies like phones, cars, and even apps.

In technologies, design helps make things safe, useful, and fun. Think about a bike helmet. It must protect your head (safety), fit comfortably (ergonomics), and look cool (aesthetic). Designers consider the user—who will use it—and the materials, like strong plastic. They also think about the environment, making things sustainable so they don't harm the planet. Good design solves problems and makes life better. In class, you might design a simple tool, like a phone stand, using recycled materials.

Imagine designing a water bottle for hikers. First the brief: it must hold water, be light, and not leak. Research shows hikers want easy-to-carry bottles. Sketch ideas, like one with a clip. Build a model from cardboard. Test it—does it work? Iterate means make it better, like adding a better lid. The final solution is manufactured, or made in a factory. Always check criteria, like cost and function, to see if it's successful.

1. Designers must evaluate their prototype to see if it meets the user's needs.
2. To innovate, you need to research new materials that are sustainable for the environment.
3. The function of the product is more important than its aesthetic in safety equipment.
4. After sketching ideas, iterate on your model to improve ergonomics.
5. The brief outlines the criteria for manufacture, ensuring the solution is practical.