Year 8 - Design and technology
Model accessible controllers
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 create prototypes using cardboard and foam modelling techniques.
Key Notes
- Modelling is essential to test designs, gain feedback and improve products before manufacturing.
- Understanding user needs and wants is critical to designing effective and accessible products.
- Templates are used to save time, ensure consistency and improve the quality of prototypes.
- Prototyping methods, like foam and cardboard modelling, help refine the product's size, shape and function.
Vocabulary To Learn
- modelling: the process of creating physical or digital representations of design ideas to visualise and test them
- template: a pattern or guide used for consistency when modelling
- user: who you are designing for
- ideate: to think of or create lots of ideas
- prototype: a simple, low-cost model made to check size, shape and function
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- User needs and wants are the same thing.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Modelling is essential to test designs, gain feedback and improve products before manufacturing. Understanding user needs and wants is critical to designing effective and accessible products.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'modelling'
the process of creating physical or digital representations of design ideas to visualise and test them.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: User needs and wants are the same thing. Correction: Needs are the essential features required for the product to function, while wants are additional features that aren't necessary but would enhance the product if included.
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