Year 8 - Design and technology
Ergonomic testing and design development
Ergonomic design: accessible controllers
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils will gather and analyse ergonomic and anthropometric data to inform the design of a game controller. Pupils will be introduced to polymer properties and processes. They will develop and apply foam and complex card modelling techniques to manufacture their product.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to test the ergonomics of a model and use data to improve a design.
Key Notes
- Prototypes are tested to identify and fix problems in a design.
- Products intended for a wide range of people must be tested by different users.
- Information gathered can be subjective as people will offer their own opinions based on their own beliefs and feelings.
- After user testing, feedback is used to iterate, ensuring the design improves based on testing results.
Vocabulary To Learn
- testing: trying something out to see if it works well
- iteration: process of refining and improving a design
- feedback: comments on a design to help improve or refine it
- subjective: a view based on personal opinion
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Iteration is only needed for poor designs.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Prototypes are tested to identify and fix problems in a design. Products intended for a wide range of people must be tested by different users.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'testing'
trying something out to see if it works well.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Iteration is only needed for poor designs. Correction: All designs can benefit from testing, feedback and iteration.
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