Introduction to Generating Feasible Design Ideas

Welcome to one of the most exciting parts of the Design Cycle! In the previous stage, you researched the problem and created a Design Specification. Now, it is time to take all that information and start "ideating"—which is just a fancy word for coming up with creative solutions.

In this chapter, we focus on Criterion B: Developing Ideas (Strand ii). This is where you move from thinking about the problem to showing what the solution might actually look like. Whether you are building a physical product (Product Design) or a website (Digital Design), your goal is to create a variety of ideas that could actually work in the real world.

What Does "Feasible" Actually Mean?

In the IB MYP, the word feasible is very important. An idea is feasible if it is realistic and possible to create given your time, your skills, and the materials you have available.

Example: If you are asked to design a new school bag, a "jetpack backpack" might be a fun idea, but if you don't have access to rocket fuel or aerospace engineering tools, it isn't feasible. A bag with a built-in solar charger for a phone, however, might be!

Checking for Feasibility

To ensure your ideas are feasible, ask yourself:

  • Resources: Do I have the materials or software needed?
  • Skills: Do I know how to use the tools required, or can I learn them in time?
  • Time: Can I finish this before the ePortfolio deadline?
  • Specification: Does this idea actually follow the rules I set in my Design Specification?

The Importance of a "Range" of Ideas

In the MYP, you shouldn't just come up with one "perfect" idea right away. The criteria require you to develop a range of ideas. This means your ideas should be different from one another, not just slight variations of the same thing.

Quick Tip: Think of "Range" as "Variety." If you are designing a logo, don't just change the color of the same circle. Try a square logo, a text-based logo, and an abstract symbol!

Why do we need a range?

1. It shows you are thinking critically about different ways to solve the problem.
2. It allows you to pick the best parts of different ideas and combine them later.
3. It proves to your teacher (and the IB moderator) that you explored all possibilities.

How to Present Your Ideas

Your ideas must be correctly interpreted by others. This means someone else should be able to look at your work and understand exactly how your design is supposed to look and function without you being there to explain it.

1. Using Appropriate Mediums

Depending on whether you are doing Product or Digital design, you might use:

  • Freehand Sketches: Quick drawings to get ideas on paper.
  • Technical Drawings: More formal, measured drawings (like orthographic or isometric projections).
  • Digital Renderings: Using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software or graphic design tools.
  • Physical Mock-ups: Small models made of cardboard or scrap material.

2. The Power of Annotation

A drawing by itself is rarely enough. You must use annotations—short, explanatory notes that point to specific parts of your design. Your annotations should explain:

  • What: What is this part? (e.g., "Recycled plastic casing")
  • Why: Why did you choose this? (e.g., "To make the product sustainable")
  • How: How does it work? (e.g., "This button triggers the LED light")

Don't worry if your drawing skills aren't perfect! In MYP Design, the clarity of your communication and the quality of your thinking are more important than being a professional artist.

Step-by-Step: How to Generate Your Ideas

If you're feeling stuck, try this process:

  1. Review your Research: Look at the "existing products" you analysed in Criterion A. What worked well for them?
  2. Brainstorm: Sketch 3 to 5 totally different concepts. Don't censor yourself yet!
  3. Refine: Pick the most promising ones and add detail. Use \(2D\) or \(3D\) drawing techniques to show different angles.
  4. Annotate: Add labels that link back to your Design Specification (e.g., "This meets my target audience's need for a lightweight design").

Leveling Up: The Command Term Ladder

As you move from MYP Year 1 to Year 5, the IB expects more depth in how you present your ideas:

  • Lower Levels (MYP 1-2): You might just state or outline your ideas (simple drawings with basic labels).
  • Middle Levels (MYP 3-4): You should describe and explain your ideas in more detail.
  • Highest Levels (MYP 5): You must develop a range of feasible ideas that can be interpreted by others clearly, showing "excellent" attention to detail and clear links to your research.

Did you know? Even the best designers in the world (like those at Apple or NASA) create hundreds of "bad" ideas before they find the "feasible" one that actually works!

Quick Review: Success Checklist

Before you move on to Selecting and Justifying your Chosen Design (the next chapter), check your work:

[ ] Did I produce more than one idea (a range)?
[ ] Are my ideas significantly different from each other?
[ ] Are my ideas realistic to make (feasible)?
[ ] Have I used labels/annotations to explain how my designs work?
[ ] Could a classmate understand my design just by looking at my drawings?

Key Takeaway: Criterion B (ii) isn't about being the best artist; it's about communicating a variety of realistic solutions so clearly that anyone can understand your vision.