In simple terms
A friendly intro before the formal notes — no formulas yet.
Your Design Project Blueprint
The design project is a structured journey from identifying a problem to creating a tested solution. Think of it as a three-act play: setting the scene, developing the plot, and reaching a resolution.
Building a custom skateboard is more than just grabbing a deck and wheels. First, you investigate: who is it for? What kind of skating? What materials are best? Then, you develop ideas: sketching different deck shapes, testing wheel hardness combinations, and creating 3D models. Finally, you realise the design: you cut the deck, assemble the parts, and then test it at the skate park, maybe making a few tweaks after.
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Investigate: Define a genuine problem for a specific client and user, conducting thorough primary and secondary research to understand all constraints and requirements.
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Develop: Generate a range of distinct concepts based on your investigation, then use feedback and analysis to select and refine the most promising idea into a detailed, viable design.
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Realise: Create a detailed plan for manufacturing your solution, then construct a high-quality prototype using appropriate tools and techniques.
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Evaluate: Rigorously test your prototype against the design specification, gather user feedback, and critically reflect on the success of your solution and your own process.
Explore the concept
Use the live diagram and synced steps — play it or tap a step card to walk through.
Full topic notes
Formal explanation with the rigour you need for the exam.
The Core Design Cycle: A Three-Act Structure
Your entire design project is underpinned by a cycle of investigation, development, and realisation. While presented linearly in your portfolio, in practice this is an iterative process. You might be in the 'Develop' phase and find you need to go back and do more 'Investigation'. The IA requires you to document this journey logically, showing a clear progression from a problem to a tested solution.
Investigate (Criterion A): Define the problem, client, and user. Conduct research to create a robust design specification.
Develop (Criterion B): Generate multiple, distinct concepts. Select and refine one idea into a detailed, workable design.
Realise & Evaluate (Criteria C & D): Plan and manufacture a prototype. Test it against the specification and reflect on its success.
Phase 1: Investigation (Criterion A)
This is the foundation of your entire project. A weak investigation will lead to a weak design. Your goal is to move from a broad problem area to a specific, well-defined problem for a real client/user. Every subsequent decision in your project must link back to the research and requirements established here.
Phase 2: Development (Criterion B)
In this phase, you transition from 'what the problem is' to 'how I could solve it'. It's a creative but analytical process. You must generate several conceptually different ideas, not just minor variations of one idea. You then use your design specification as a tool to evaluate these concepts, leading to the selection and detailed development of the most promising one.
For top marks in Criterion B, show your thinking. Don't just present three perfect final ideas. Include initial sketches, mind maps, and annotations that explain why you are developing certain features. Use a 'design development' table to formally evaluate your concepts against your specification points.
Phase 3: Realisation & Evaluation (Criteria C & D)
This is where your design comes to life. It begins with meticulous planning. You need to create a logical plan, including timelines (Gantt chart) and technical drawings, that another competent person could follow to build your design. The manufacturing of the prototype should demonstrate a high level of skill and quality. Finally, you must circle back to the very beginning and test your prototype against the design specification you created in the investigation phase.
Photographic evidence is non-negotiable. Document every stage of your manufacturing process. Show yourself using the tools and machines safely. For evaluation, include photos and videos of your prototype being tested, especially with the user. A photo of the user successfully using your product is powerful evidence.
Worked examples
See the formulas applied — reveal one step at a time, like the exam.
A student begins their IA with the following problem statement: 'My grandfather finds it hard to read his newspaper.' Assess this statement and rewrite it to meet the requirements of a high-scoring project.
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Assessment:
This statement is a good starting point but lacks detail and specificity. It identifies a user (grandfather) and a general problem (difficulty reading), but it's not a strong design problem yet. It scores low because it doesn't define the context or constraints.
A student has a specification point: 'P1: The device must be waterproof (IPX7 rating)'. In their concept development, they simply state 'Concept 1 is waterproof'. Explain why this is insufficient and what they should do instead.
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Assessment:
Simply stating a design meets a specification point is a low-level claim and demonstrates minimal development. It doesn't explain how the concept achieves this or consider the implications.
How it all connects
The big idea sits in the middle — tap a linked idea to explore the link.
Tap a linked idea to see how it connects back to the main topic — that connection is what examiners reward.
Glossary
Try to recall each definition before you reveal it.
Quick check
Answer in your head first — then tap to check. No pressure.
Revision flashcards
Flip the card. Test yourself before the exam.
What is the primary goal of the 'Investigate' phase?
To identify and explore a design problem, understand the client and user, and establish a detailed set of justifiable requirements (the Design Specification).
Key takeaways
Review these before you close the topic — retrieval beats re-reading.
- ✓
Investigate (Criterion A): Define the problem, client, and user. Conduct research to create a robust design specification.
- ✓
Develop (Criterion B): Generate multiple, distinct concepts. Select and refine one idea into a detailed, workable design.
- ✓
Realise & Evaluate (Criteria C & D): Plan and manufacture a prototype. Test it against the specification and reflect on its success.
Practice — then mark it
The whole point: a real Cambridge question, marked mark-by-mark.
Practice Questions: The Design Project
Practice Questions: The Design Project
Extra simulations & links
PhET, GeoGebra and other curated tools — open in a new tab.
Frequently asked
Checkpoint
One marked question is worth ten re-reads — close the loop before you move on.
Reading it isn’t knowing it — prove it.
Before you move on: do Practice Questions: The Design Project on paper, snap a photo, and get examiner-style feedback on exactly where you win and lose marks.