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Iterate with CAD: communal areas

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can iterate ideas for the context 'student living' using 3D CAD.

Key learning points

  1. CAD is part of the iterative process and is used to develop your idea by allowing you to view and analyse it virtually
  2. Sketching over your CAD drawings can help to develop the idea before going back to make those improvements in CAD
  3. Before developing your ideas in CAD, your sketches should be evaluated

Keywords

  • CAD - computer-aided design

  • Development - improving and building on design ideas to make them better

  • Iterate - process of refining and improving a design

Common misconception

Modelling using CAD is the final step in the development of designs.

CAD is part of the iterative process. CAD should be used as a way to develop your idea by viewing it virtually and analysing the idea. Sketching over your CAD drawings can help to develop the idea before going back to make those improvements in CAD.

Teacher tip

You may need to print out pupils' CAD designs in advance of this lesson to help with the flow and productivity.

Equipment

Access to a 3D CAD application, printer, pencils, paper, tracing paper, rubbers.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What are the benefits of sketching as part of the creative process?

it allows for detailed and precise drawings
Correct answer: it encourages creativity without the designer being limited
it requires specialist equipment
Correct answer: it allows for quick idea exploration and visualisation

Q2.
When designing, we must consider different aspects. Match the definition.

Correct Answer:user needs and wants,requirements and expectations of who you are designing for

requirements and expectations of who you are designing for

Correct Answer:form,a particular shape, linked to aesthetics

a particular shape, linked to aesthetics

Correct Answer:function,the purpose of the product

the purpose of the product

Q3.
Annotation is used to help the idea.

Correct Answer: explain, describe

Q4.
Sometimes sketching is not sufficient to explain an idea fully. What else could do?

draw in more detail
Correct answer: model the idea in 3D
add more annotation

Q5.
The flat or opened-out shape of an object such as a box is called .

Correct Answer: net, development

Q6.
Once a model has been created, we use them to ...

measure.
Correct answer: iterate.
paint.
Correct answer: test.

4 Questions

Q1.
The process of refining and improving a design is to ...

invent.
Correct answer: iterate.
ignore.
isometric.

Q2.
Iterations can be led by from the user

Correct Answer: feedback

Q3.
Iterating designs using CAD can be difficult ...

if you are confident with the CAD application.
Correct answer: if you are not confident with the CAD application.
if you have good capability using CAD.

Q4.
Testing out different materials or colours on a design can be __________ when using CAD.

Correct answer: quick
Correct answer: easy
expensive
time consuming
complex

To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Iterate with CAD: communal areas, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...