INTERNAL ASSESSMENT (IA)
The IA is your design project in which you will complete either four (SL) or six (HL) criteria similar to that at MYP to ultimately create a coherent and thoughtful piece of problem-focused design work that follows the DP design cycle.
CHOOSING AN IA FOCUS
It is important that the 'design problem' chosen in criterion A is sufficient enough to allow for an explorative and iterative design investigation that ultimately leads to a product being made that has worked towards solving said 'problem' and can be tested accordingly.
Look to the following for inspiration:
Survey the needs of others
Your own passions and needs
UN SDG's
Existing products that could be improved
The physically and sensorily less-abled
Inspirational design websites such as Yanko Design
WHAT MAKES FOR A SUCCESSFUL IA?
Reference and inclusion of topics-related knowledge throughout
Project is iterative, authentic and problem-focused
Emphasis on physical designing (modelling and prototyping etc)
Consistent, well presented formatting
Client interaction throughout that is evidenced in decision making
Prototype is fully tested for functional and aesthetic merits by self and client
INDIVIDUAL IA CRITERIA CONTENT
Each tab below links to a criterion contents page that scan be followed to ensure that all required IA content is completed for each individual criterion.
Click on the criterion letter that you would like to view
FORMATTING
SL IA (A-D) - max 38 A4 portrait pages and 3000 words
HL IA (A-F) - max 56 A4 portrait pages and 4000 words
Titles and annotations under 10 words are not included in the word count
All font must be Arial 11
Pages numbers must be used
Annotations must be 10 words maximum
IMPORTANT & USEFUL DOCUMENTS
Click on the thumbnails below to download important and useful guiding documents.
IB Design Guide
Download a copy of the official IB DP Design guide for official reference
Grade Descriptors
Here, you will find IB grade descriptors for all courses, including Design
Glossary of Terms
Includes key words and terminology to better understand the language used in the course
Exemplar IA's
Here, you can look at exemplar Design IA's from the IB and past students for both SL and HL
USEFUL CAD RESOURCES
FUSION 36O RESOUCES
In this folder, you will find a great number of video and PDF step by step guides that have been created to develop your CAD skills using Fusion 360.
Guides are stepped from complete beginner to advanced user.
MAKER CASE
Makercase.com is a fantastic website if you are planning on laser cutting a box of some kind. It will draw up box plans that can include joint types for you and you simply download the .SVG file and import it into Illustrator or other compatible software.
Tip: Change the units setting to 'mm' and use 'custom thickness' to choose the required wood thickness.
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
Adobe Illustrator can be used when designing and preparing files for laser cutting. This video takes you through some of the tools and explains how you can trace an image and turn it into a cuttable line drawing.
USEFUL DESIGN-FOCUSED WEBSITES
LEARN.ADAFRUIT
Literally thousands of completed systems and electronics projects that explain how they were made
YANKO DESIGN
An excellent product design website - always showcasing innovative projects and ideas.
*A Mr W favourite
FAST COMPANY
Great inspirational website showcasing all things design and on trend.
CORE 77
Another great website for modern design & technology inspiration and stories.
DIMENSIONS
.COM
.COM
A fantastic resource for postural figure and line drawings with dimensions.
DESIGN NEWS
Keep up to date with all of the goings on in the design and materials world
INSTRUCTIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL VIDEOS
INSTRUCTIONAL & INSPIRATIONAL VIDEOS
Click on the image opposite of the button below to access a page full of embedded insprational and instructional videos that will help in the development of key skills relevant to your IA.
PAST PROJECT EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES OF KEY SUCCESS INDICATORS
