Controlled Assessment Section 1
This section is all about identifying a problem in a context set by the examination board, analysing it using ACCESSFM, prioritising and carrying out about 3 or 4 pieces of research, evaluating the research and coming up with a specification using ACCESSFM... Simples!
Context, Brief and Analysis
The first page needs to
Page 1
· The Context - This is a brief description of the problem taken from the exam board. You need to expand upon the context to make it your own.
· Design Brief – Once again taken form the exam board. This is couple of sentences outlining what you will be doing to overcome the problem stating very roughly of who the target market would be (age range, interest male/female/both).
· Analysis of the Situation and Brief (ACCESSFM- who, what why, where when how etc. There will be many functions that it needs to do so bear this in mind)
Page 2
· Write a paragraph saying the areas (3 or4) that you have identified from the analysis that need some research(this needs to be written in the future tense) eg: from my analysis I need to find out: the sizes of…., how previous designers have manufactured similar products and my family’s needs and opinions. There will be at least one page on the target user and one page on appropriate sizes. Produce a research grid to help explain how you will research these elements and justify your reasons.
Page 3 Target Market,
Do a customer profile sheet of the target market. State age ranges, M/F or both. The sort of hobbies and job this person might do, the car they might drive etc
Page 4
Appropriate sizes. Use this sheet to show all the appropriate sizes that are important to your designing. If it is for a gadget tidy take pictures of the items next to a ruler and make a comment about the length, width and height of the items that need to go in there. If it is a bird house you need to determine what bird you are aimng it at and researching the recommended hole sizes for that bird.
Page 5
Any other research you might find useful (you can do a couple of pages if it will help you). This might be looking at ideas for inspiration (pictures with annotations), the environment where it will go (especially good if it is for a gadget tidy that will go in your room - an annotated photo will show the examiner that you have really thought about where it will go). You might want to find out how something similar has been made.
General notes on Research:
· Present your research neatly and concisely. At the top of each page write down a sentence explaining what this page is about eg:
o I am looking at these existing modern clocks for some design ideas (… or I am looking at these existing designs to help me with construction techniques)
o For pictures you need many evaluative annotations explaining what you have found out together with your particular opinions (use accessfm as a starting point). fill the page up with your annotations!
o For each comment, back it up with a ‘because’. Eg the legs on this coffee table could be suitable because …the style would fit in with the existing furniture/ the shape is suitably modern/the contrasting material creates a nice feature.
o Remember to ‘break things apart’ and talk about materials and processes.
Page 6 Specification
- Summarise your research in a couple of paragraphs stating some of the key things that you will have to consider
- Title a new page and call it ‘Specification’ and give a brief reminder of 1 sentence to the examiner eg This is a list of things that my gadget tidy needs to be or do.
- Use Accessfm to write a specification for your product. There needs to be a balance between being too specific and giving enough information. Eg The desk tidy needs to be made of a hardwood or manufactured board with a hardwood exterior, this is so that it looks a high quality. It needs to be dark brown in colour similar to teak so that it matches the current furniture.
- When it comes to customer don’t forget to profile the customer and their type of lifestyle (from last lesson)
- There will be many functions consider the product in use ie putting things in, taking them out, charging, maintenance etc
· The Context - This is a brief description of the problem taken from the exam board. You need to expand upon the context to make it your own.
· Design Brief – Once again taken form the exam board. This is couple of sentences outlining what you will be doing to overcome the problem stating very roughly of who the target market would be (age range, interest male/female/both).
· Analysis of the Situation and Brief (ACCESSFM- who, what why, where when how etc. There will be many functions that it needs to do so bear this in mind)
Page 2
· Write a paragraph saying the areas (3 or4) that you have identified from the analysis that need some research(this needs to be written in the future tense) eg: from my analysis I need to find out: the sizes of…., how previous designers have manufactured similar products and my family’s needs and opinions. There will be at least one page on the target user and one page on appropriate sizes. Produce a research grid to help explain how you will research these elements and justify your reasons.
Page 3 Target Market,
Do a customer profile sheet of the target market. State age ranges, M/F or both. The sort of hobbies and job this person might do, the car they might drive etc
Page 4
Appropriate sizes. Use this sheet to show all the appropriate sizes that are important to your designing. If it is for a gadget tidy take pictures of the items next to a ruler and make a comment about the length, width and height of the items that need to go in there. If it is a bird house you need to determine what bird you are aimng it at and researching the recommended hole sizes for that bird.
Page 5
Any other research you might find useful (you can do a couple of pages if it will help you). This might be looking at ideas for inspiration (pictures with annotations), the environment where it will go (especially good if it is for a gadget tidy that will go in your room - an annotated photo will show the examiner that you have really thought about where it will go). You might want to find out how something similar has been made.
General notes on Research:
· Present your research neatly and concisely. At the top of each page write down a sentence explaining what this page is about eg:
o I am looking at these existing modern clocks for some design ideas (… or I am looking at these existing designs to help me with construction techniques)
o For pictures you need many evaluative annotations explaining what you have found out together with your particular opinions (use accessfm as a starting point). fill the page up with your annotations!
o For each comment, back it up with a ‘because’. Eg the legs on this coffee table could be suitable because …the style would fit in with the existing furniture/ the shape is suitably modern/the contrasting material creates a nice feature.
o Remember to ‘break things apart’ and talk about materials and processes.
Page 6 Specification
- Summarise your research in a couple of paragraphs stating some of the key things that you will have to consider
- Title a new page and call it ‘Specification’ and give a brief reminder of 1 sentence to the examiner eg This is a list of things that my gadget tidy needs to be or do.
- Use Accessfm to write a specification for your product. There needs to be a balance between being too specific and giving enough information. Eg The desk tidy needs to be made of a hardwood or manufactured board with a hardwood exterior, this is so that it looks a high quality. It needs to be dark brown in colour similar to teak so that it matches the current furniture.
- When it comes to customer don’t forget to profile the customer and their type of lifestyle (from last lesson)
- There will be many functions consider the product in use ie putting things in, taking them out, charging, maintenance etc