Section C · Design ProcessAQA 8552 · Written Paper
Evaluating Designs
Evaluation against specification, user testing, design for manufacture. A core Section C skill.
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GCSE DT RevisionEvaluating designs in DT
Key facts
Methods of evaluation
Against specification — systematic check of each specification point. Measurable criteria are tested objectively.
User testing — real users test the product. Surveys, interviews, observation. Reveals usability issues designers miss.
Performance testing — testing physical properties: load bearing, durability, water resistance. Destructive or non-destructive.
Environmental evaluation — LCA, carbon footprint, recyclability, sustainable material use.
Good evaluation is objective — uses measurable criteria. "I like it" is not valid evaluation.
Design for Manufacture (DFM)
Designing with manufacturing in mind from the outset.
Minimise number of components — fewer parts = lower cost, faster assembly, fewer failure points.
Use standard components (standard screw sizes, section sizes) — cheaper, easier to source, interchangeable.
Design for the manufacturing process — draft angles in moulded parts, bend radii in sheet metal.
Set realistic tolerances — tighter tolerances cost more to achieve and inspect.
Design for disassembly — separable for repair, reuse or recycling. Avoid permanently bonded mixed materials.
Exam questions — 3 questions · 9 marks · real AQA 8552 past papers
Extended questions included — read the hint. AI marks against the AQA 8552 mark scheme.
1 markInvalid evaluationAQA 8552 style
A student writes "I think it looks good and my friend liked it" as an evaluation. Why is this inadequate?
A Evaluation must only use technical language — no opinions at all
B The evaluation is subjective and not measurable — valid evaluation tests against specific measurable criteria in the design specification
C The friend is not a qualified evaluator
D Only practical physical tests count — written evaluation is not valid
1 markDFM key principleAQA 8552 style
Which DFM principle reduces both cost and assembly time simultaneously?
A Using premium materials for all components
B Minimising the number of components in a product
C Specifying the tightest possible tolerance on all dimensions
D Designing for planned obsolescence
4 marksEvaluate a vacuum-formed toyAQA 8552 style
A designer has made a children's toy from a single piece of vacuum-formed plastic. Evaluate this decision in terms of manufacturing, sustainability and safety. (4 marks)
Hint: Three areas: manufacturing (process suitability, no assembly), sustainability (single material = recyclable but check local collection), safety (edges, no small parts, material safety).
+40 XP
3 marksUser testing methodsAQA 8552 style
Describe two methods to gather user feedback when evaluating a new ergonomic chair. What information does each provide? (3 marks max — up to 2 marks per method)
Hint: Name each method, explain what it involves, and what type of information it provides. Two clearly different methods for three marks.