Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Design and Technology
Lesson Topic: The concept of good design. A good design: always meets the needs, wants or values of the user(s), is innovative, is simple (less is more), is aesthetic/visually pleasing, is long lasting, is environmentally friendly, is safe to use, makes the produc
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the nine key attributes that define a good design.
  • Explain how to apply a weighted evaluation framework to compare design concepts.
  • Analyse design ideas against user needs, innovation, simplicity, aesthetics, durability, environmental impact, safety, utility and understandability.
  • Apply the design process steps to develop and assess a product concept.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Printed handouts of the attribute summary table
  • Worksheets for weighted scoring activity
  • Sticky notes and markers for brainstorming
  • Sample product for case‑study analysis
  • Laptop with spreadsheet software for calculations
 Introduction:
Begin with an image of a well‑known product and ask students what makes it “good”. Recall previous lessons on user‑centred design and set today’s success criteria: identify the attributes of good design and use a simple scoring matrix to evaluate concepts.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5’) – Students list features they like/dislike about a familiar product on sticky notes.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10’) – Present the nine attributes of good design with examples (projector).
  3. Guided activity (15’) – In pairs, complete the attribute worksheet and assign weights for a given brief.
  4. Scoring exercise (10’) – Calculate Good Design Scores for two concept sketches using a spreadsheet.
  5. Discussion (10’) – Groups compare scores, justify choices, and reflect on trade‑offs.
  6. Plenary (5’) – Teacher summarises key points; students note one takeaway on an exit ticket.
Conclusion:
Recap the importance of balancing multiple attributes when evaluating designs. Students complete an exit ticket by writing one attribute they will prioritize in their next project. For homework, they draft a brief design brief that incorporates at least three of the discussed attributes.