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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can write a design brief to define the design opportunity.

      Key learning points

      1. Designers use design briefs to define the design opportunity and focus the design.
      2. Designers identify product requirements.
      3. Specifications are used to inform designing and manufacturing.
      4. Specifications are used when testing designs.

      Keywords

      • Requirements - something which is needed or wanted

      • Design fixation - considering only one possibility

      • Specific - something that is clearly defined and detailed

      • Viable - capable of being successful

      Common misconception

      All specifications must use the same subheadings.

      Specifications must be specific to the context, design opportunity and design brief.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson is a great opportunity to consider product requirements and specifications, including the opportunity to add additional examples from your own experience.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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 is 'a situation where something happens or exists, this is the starting point for designers to solve problems' a definition for?

      design brief
      specificaiton
      ideas
      Correct answer: context

      Q2.
      Which methods can be used to investigate a context?

      Correct answer: mind map
      road map
      bullet points
      Correct answer: user journey
      Correct answer: mood boards

      Q3.
      What is a 'design opportunity'?

      Correct answer: gap
      want
      Correct answer: need
      space
      hope

      Q4.
      Match these keywords with the correct definition:

      Correct Answer:nature,naturally occurring, not made by humans

      naturally occurring, not made by humans

      Correct Answer:design fixation,considering only one possibility

      considering only one possibility

      Correct Answer:sustainability,ability to exist without depleting the resources needed in the future

      ability to exist without depleting the resources needed in the future

      Q5.
      Select reasons why design fixation is limiting.

      Correct answer: lack of creativity
      Correct answer: lack of innovation
      Correct answer: lack of originality
      lack of detail
      lack of information

      Q6.
      What is a design brief?

      Correct answer: a statement
      a diagram
      a sketch
      a song
      a model

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      A design brief should be ...

      Correct answer: open to allow scope for creative design ideas
      specific to limit design ideas
      Correct answer: open to avoid design fixation
      specific to fix design ideas
      Correct answer: specific to ensure designs address the design opportunity identified

      Q2.
      In which order would you usually complete each of these?

      1 - context exploration
      2 - identify a client
      3 - identify design opportunities
      4 - write a design brief

      Q3.
      Which of the four Ws is missing? Who, Where, Why, ...

      Correct Answer: What

      Q4.
      What is the list of criteria a product must have or do called?

      Correct Answer: specification, product specification

      Q5.
      How can a specification be used by consumers buying a product?

      Correct answer: to select the most appropriate product
      to select the cheapest product
      Correct answer: to compare the products
      to compare users' needs

      To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Product requirements, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...