Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Design and Technology
Lesson Topic: The balance of form and function.
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe key aesthetic principles and ergonomic factors that influence product design.
  • Explain how form and function can be balanced through the design process.
  • Apply ergonomic data such as anthropometric measurements and grip‑force limits to evaluate a prototype.
  • Evaluate a product using a balanced‑design checklist and suggest improvements.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handouts with the evaluation checklist
  • Images or a sample kitchen knife for case study
  • Rulers and measuring tape
  • Computers with CAD software (optional)
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick visual of a sleek kitchen knife and ask students what they notice first. Review prior knowledge of ergonomics and visual design, linking to today’s focus on balancing form and function. Outline the success criteria: students will identify ergonomic and aesthetic criteria and apply them in a design brief.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students list three products they think prioritize form over function and share briefly.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Present key aesthetic principles and ergonomic factors using the projector.
  3. Case study analysis (15'): Examine the ergonomic kitchen knife example; calculate the grip‑force target and discuss aesthetic choices.
  4. Group activity (20'): Teams develop a brief for a handheld tool, sketch concepts that address both ergonomics and aesthetics.
  5. Prototype critique (10'): Groups present sketches; class uses the evaluation checklist to give feedback.
  6. Reflection & exit ticket (5'): Students write one way they would improve the design to better balance form and function.
Conclusion:
Summarise how ergonomic data and aesthetic principles together shape successful products. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding. Assign homework: research a consumer product and write a short analysis of its form‑function balance.