Design & Technology (9-1) - 0979 CIE

Identifying

Overview

Every design project begins with a problem worth solving. Before you can sketch a single idea you have to find a genuine need, want or opportunity, and you have to be sure it is real and not just something you assumed. The identifying stage is detective work: you observe how people struggle, you ask them questions, you take apart products that already exist and you dig into data, all to pin down exactly what is wrong with the current situation and who is affected.

This note shows you how to identify needs, wants and opportunities using the methods the 0445 syllabus names: observation, interviews, analysis of existing products and analysis of data. It then shows you how to describe what you have found clearly, so that the rest of your project rests on solid evidence rather than guesswork.

Objectives

  1. identify needs, wants and opportunities for designing and making through such methods as observation, interviews, analysis of products and data
  2. describe needs and opportunities for designing and making.

Lesson Note

The identifying stage answers one question: what problem is worth designing for? Designers look for three things. A need is something a person genuinely must have to do a task or live well, for example a safe way to carry hot food. A want is a preference on top of a need, for example carrying that food in a stylish bag. An opportunity is a gap in the market or a chance to improve something, for example noticing that no lunch bag on sale keeps food hot for more than an hour. Distinguishing these matters because needs justify a product, while wants and opportunities help it sell and stand out.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Identifying. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. Which of the following is the best definition of a design 'opportunity'? A. Something a user must have to complete a task B. A gap in the market or a chance to improve a situation C. A non-essential preference on top of a need D. A legal requirement a product must meet Answer: B
  2. What is the main advantage of OBSERVATION as a method of identifying needs? A. It is the cheapest method B. It reveals what users actually do, including problems they cannot describe C. It always gives numerical data D. It does not require any users to be present Answer: B
  3. Which of these is a LEADING question? A. How easy or difficult do you find this product to use? B. Do you own a kettle? C. Don't you agree this design is far too heavy? D. Rate this handle from 1 to 5. Answer: C
  4. ACCESS FM is a checklist most useful for which identifying method? A. Interviews B. Analysis of existing products C. Observation D. Writing a questionnaire Answer: B
  5. A survey of 200 people finds 150 want a feature. What percentage is this? A. 50% B. 65% C. 75% D. 85% Answer: C

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
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Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Practice Mock Questions

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