New
New
Year 11

Communicate ideas

I can select the appropriate communication technique when designing and developing.

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New
New
Year 11

Communicate ideas

I can select the appropriate communication technique when designing and developing.

Link copied to clipboard

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Ideas are communicated using different techniques.
  2. Design decisions are made throughout the iterative journey.

Keywords

  • Communicate - express, share, or present ideas to others

  • Iterative - refining and improving

  • Design requirements - something which is needed or wanted to make a product successful

  • Design decisions - a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem

Common misconception

Sketching is the only way to iterate design ideas.

Design ideas and iterations can be communicated using various techniques, such as sketching, CAD, prototyping, and AI.


To help you plan your year 11 design and technology lesson on: Communicate ideas, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Many pupils are intimidated by the thought of drawing and this causes some to switch off. Encourage pupils to use a variety of communication techniques and allow them to play to their strengths.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
  • Risk assessment required - outdoor learning

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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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6 Questions

Q1.
What does it mean to communicate an idea in design?
to hide the idea until the final product is complete
Correct answer: to express, share, or present ideas to others
to copy an idea from another designer
to choose materials for your design
Q2.
A design decision is a deliberate to meet a requirement or solve a problem.
Correct Answer: choice
Q3.
Match the term to its meaning.
Correct Answer:communicate,express, share, or present ideas to others

express, share, or present ideas to others

Correct Answer:iterative,refining and improving

refining and improving

Correct Answer:design requirement,something which is needed or wanted to make a product successful

something which is needed or wanted to make a product successful

Correct Answer:design decision,a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem

a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem

Q4.
Put the steps in the correct order to show how ideas might be communicated during the design process.
1 - sketch or model the ideasketch or model the idea
2 - share and explain the idea
3 - get feedback from others
4 - improve the idea based on feedback
Q5.
Why is it useful to share design ideas with others during the process?
to finish the design without needing any changes
to test if others can copy your idea
Correct answer: to get feedback that can improve the design
to keep the idea secret from the client
Q6.
The process allows designers to improve their ideas over time.
Correct Answer: iterative

4 Questions

Q1.
Sketching, modelling, and annotating are techniques used to design ideas.
Correct Answer: communicate
Q2.
Match the design stage to the purpose of communication
Correct Answer:initial idea,to explore and visualise options

to explore and visualise options

Correct Answer:development stage,to explain decisions and gather feedback

to explain decisions and gather feedback

Correct Answer:final presentation,to show how the product meets design requirements

to show how the product meets design requirements

Correct Answer:evaluation,to reflect on what worked and what could improve

to reflect on what worked and what could improve

Q3.
Put these activities in the correct order as part of a design decision process:
1 - identify a design requirement
2 - make a design decision
3 - test or review the outcome
4 - explain how the decision meets the requirement
Q4.
What is the purpose of annotating a design sketch?
to decorate the page
to label the colours used
Correct answer: to describe and justify the decisions made
to cover mistakes in the drawing