Design specification
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how and why design specifications are used in industry.
Key learning points
- Design specifications outline the product's purpose, user, and key features.
- Design specifications define the product's aesthetics, materials, and form to ensure it’s functional and appealing.
Keywords
Design specification - describes what a product has to do
Requirements - something which is needed or wanted
Justification - the reason or explanation for why something is done, or believed to be right
Aesthetics - how a product looks
Common misconception
Design specifications and technical specifications are the same.
Design specifications focus on the overall concept, user needs, and appearance. Technical specifications detail the materials and measurement requirements needed to build a product.
Teacher tip
Show students how tech companies use specifications to develop their products. This makes the concepts more relatable and helps students understand their practical application in industry.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When designers ask customers for their opinions, they are collecting research.
Q2.Why do companies analyse their products?
Q3.A design is a statement that outlines the requirements of a product.
Q4.What is the main purpose of market research?
Q5.Which of the following best describes the purpose of a design specification in the product design process?
Q6.Which of the following is not an example of a design constraint?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is not a part of a design specification?
Q2.Match the element of a design specification to its correct description:
Explains what the product is meant to achieve or solve
Defines who the product is meant for
Describes how the product will look and feel
Q3.Order the following steps to create a design specification:
Q4.Which of the following materials would not be suitable for a child’s lunchbox?
Q5.A good design specification not only describes the appearance and materials, but also provides a clear that explains design decisions.
Q6.Why is it important to test a product against its design specification?
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Design specification, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 design and technology lesson on: Design specification, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the Designing and Making Principles unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.