Design and Technology

Course summary

The course is built around practical projects, with initial focus on developing manufacturing skills, visual communication and wider design appreciation. Further workshop time is used in preparation for the Design Project, where students will follow the design cycle to solve a problem of their choosing. There are opportunities to examine contemporary topics such as sustainable design and the human user. At Higher Level, students will explore modern commercial manufacturing, marketing and the role of emotion in Design. No previous Design and Technology knowledge is assumed. The IB Design and Technology course is all about developing an appreciation of how the world functions through the use of products. Students must be curious and willing to think both creatively and critically about how and why design decisions are made. They will empathise with both users and designers from around the globe. A foundation of knowledge covering materials, manufacturing processes and the design cycle are all developed as well as sketching and making.