IBO Level 3 Certificate in HL Design Technology

INTERNATIONAL-BACCALAUREATE-ORGANISATION

vocational

The core content of IB HL Design Technology explores the relationship between design, technology, and society, emphasising the principles of sustainable production, innovation, and user-centred design. Students investigate the entire product life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal, and apply theoretical knowledge to practical design projects. This unit prepares learners for higher-level analysis and evaluation in both written and internal assessment components.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award credit for clear linking of design decisions to ergonomic and anthropometric data.
Expect detailed justification of material choices based on properties, cost, and environmental impact.
Look for evidence of iterative design development and user feedback integration in project work.
Credit accurate use of technical terminology related to manufacturing processes and sustainability.

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award credit for clear linking of design decisions to ergonomic and anthropometric data.
Expect detailed justification of material choices based on properties, cost, and environmental impact.
Look for evidence of iterative design development and user feedback integration in project work.
Credit accurate use of technical terminology related to manufacturing processes and sustainability.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡In Paper 1, always link answers to specific design examples, avoiding vague statements.
💡For Paper 2 extended response, structure answers around design cycles and evaluate impacts at each stage.
💡Use case studies of classic designs to illustrate timeless principles and their modern adaptations.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing anthropometric data with ergonomic principles, leading to superficial analysis.
Overlooking the life cycle energy consumption when claiming sustainability benefits.
Providing generic descriptions of processes without applying them to a specific context.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Human factors and ergonomics

Sustainable production and circular economy

User-centred design and innovation

Material properties and manufacturing processes

Product life cycle analysis

Prototyping and modelling techniques

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

IBO Level 3 Certificate in HL Design Technology

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Key Terminology

Ready to test yourself?

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