Form versus function fruit juicers
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate the form and function of existing products.
Key learning points
- Different factors influence the form of products, including functionality, purpose, materials and aesthetics.
- Different factors influence the function of products, including, user needs and wants, intended use and materials.
- Good design combines both form and function.
Keywords
Function - the purpose of a product
Good design - combines function and form
Form - a particular shape, linked to aesthetics
Subjective - a view based on personal opinion
User - who you are designing for
Common misconception
It is often believed that focusing on form means sacrificing function, and vice versa. The assumption is that a product can't be both beautiful and functional.
Good design brings together both form and function. The form of a product can enhance the function of a product by making it more enjoyable to use.
Teacher tip
This lesson is a great opportunity for the teacher to share a 'handling collection' of products for the students to try out and compare function and form. For example, a range of lemon squeezers, pizza cutters, sandwich boxes, children's bottles etc.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to the meaning:
Q2.What does the term 'function' relate to?
Q3.Which type of data is best for understanding a user's emotional response to a product?
Q4.Which of the following is an example of quantitative data in product testing?
Q5.When analysing a product, it is important to consider the successful features and those that could be...
Q6.When evaluating a design by making an informed and justified decision, it is important to:
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1. can be defined as the purpose of a product.
Q2. can be defined as the appearance and shape of a product.
Q3.Why is it important to consider the user in design?
Q4.The term ‘beauty’ can be classified as...
Q5.Which do the following focus more on, form or function?
Q6.A product that reflects a balance of function and form is often referred to as an example of...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Form versus function fruit juicers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Form versus function fruit juicers, 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 Product analysis: encouraging healthy lifestyles unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.