Cambridge Syllabus Notes

Cambridge IGCSE Art and Design (0400) – Three‑Dimensional Design

Learning Objective

Students will be able to carry out visual research for a three‑dimensional design project and demonstrate clear, chronological evidence of development from the initial brief to a finished, realised concept.

Scope of the Lesson

The syllabus lists a wide range of media (clay, wood, metal, plastic, glass, textiles, recycled materials, digital fabrication, jewellery, architectural/set design). In this lesson we will focus on three core options – clay & ceramics, wood, and digital fabrication (3‑D printing / laser cutting) – while still encouraging students to explore any other listed media that suit their brief.
All students must address social and cultural factors (e.g., sustainability, cultural precedent) and include a brief audience analysis as part of their design intention.

Key Concepts

Purpose & brief – interpreting the design brief, identifying the target audience, constraints and success criteria.
Inspiration & context – exploring natural, cultural, technological and historical sources.
Form & space – volume, mass, balance, scale, movement and the use of perspective/axonometric drawing.
Materials & techniques – investigating suitable media, tools, processes and safety.
Iteration & reflection – sketching, modelling, peer critique and systematic revision.

Media Options (Broad Range of Media & Techniques)

Students may choose any of the media listed in the syllabus. Below is a concise overview with a concrete example for each:

Media	Typical Technique / Example
Clay & ceramics	Slip‑casting a small vessel; hand‑building a sculptural form.
Wood	Carved relief or assembled furniture piece.
Metal (soft & hard)	Wire sculpture; laser‑cut stainless‑steel panel.
Plastic & acrylic	Laser‑cut acrylic prototype for a product design.
Glass	Fused‑glass pendant or small decorative object.
Textiles & fibre	Fabric‑wrapped form or woven sculpture.
Recycled / alternative materials	Up‑cycled cardboard furniture or bottle‑cap mosaic.
Digital fabrication	3‑D printed model or CNC‑milled component.
Jewellery & accessories	Metal‑clay pendant or resin‑filled brooch.
Architectural / set design	Scale model of a pavilion using foam board and balsa.

Skills & Techniques Checklist

During the research and development phase students should be able to demonstrate the following technical abilities:

Skill / Technique	Evidence to Show
Form & structure	Accurate 2‑point perspective and axonometric sketches; scale models showing stability.
Scale & proportion	Measured drawings and 1:1 or 1:5 mock‑ups.
Texture & surface treatment	Samples of rough, smooth, patterned finishes; notes on tools used.
Colour relationships	Colour‑theory study (analogous, complementary) linked to material choice; colour swatches and digital renders.
Movement & kinetic potential	Simple mechanisms, articulated joints, or implied motion in sketches.
Specialist equipment	Safe operation of a kiln, laser cutter, CNC router, or CAD software; settings and parameters recorded.
Hand tools & construction techniques	Use of saws, drills, hammers, soldering iron; step‑by‑step build notes.

Intention → Research → Realisation → Reflection

Intention: State the purpose, target audience and any social, cultural or sustainability considerations.

Research: Gather visual, textual and material evidence that informs the brief (museum visits, design books, online archives, maker interviews, sustainability reports).

Realisation: Translate research into sketches, maquettes and material tests, progressively developing a concrete design solution.

Reflection: Critically evaluate each stage, link feedback to revisions and record learning for the final portfolio.

Context & Research (Deepening the Intention)

Use the guiding questions below to ensure a thorough investigation of cultural, historical and environmental factors.

What cultural or historical influences relate to my brief?
How does sustainability shape material choice?
Which designers or makers have tackled a similar problem? (e.g., Bauhaus furniture, contemporary African metalwork, Japanese Raku pottery)
What is my personal intention – the message or experience I want the object to convey?
Who is the end‑user and what are their needs, preferences and constraints?

Stages of Visual Research (with added perspective & colour activities)

Define the brief – write a concise problem statement, list constraints, and produce a brief audience analysis.
Gather inspiration – create a physical or digital mood board (minimum 8 distinct references) with citations.
Explore form – produce thumbnail sketches, then develop at least one 2‑point perspective and one axonometric study for each concept; make quick 3‑D maquettes (cardboard, foam, polymer‑clay).
Investigate colour – complete a short colour‑theory activity (identify analogous, complementary and triadic schemes) and apply the chosen scheme to material swatches.
Investigate materials – fill a material‑test matrix, create small samples, record handling, durability, finish and safety notes.
Develop concepts – combine successful ideas into detailed drawings, exploded‑view diagrams and scaled models; include CAD renderings where appropriate.
Reflect & refine – evaluate each stage against the brief, record peer feedback, and note specific revisions.

Recording Development

Maintain a research journal (paper or digital) that shows a chronological progression. For each entry record:

Stage	What to Record	Example Techniques
Brief	Written brief, audience analysis, key requirements, constraints.	Bullet points, mind‑map, numbered list.
Inspiration	Images, colour swatches, texture samples, full citations.	Physical collage, digital mood board (Pinterest, Padlet).
Form Exploration	Thumbnail sketches, 2‑point perspective, axonometric drawing, 3‑D maquettes.	Pencil sketches, cardboard models, polymer‑clay studies.
Colour Investigation	Colour‑theory diagram, chosen palette, material swatches labelled with scheme.	Colour wheel, digital colour‑picker, painted samples.
Material Tests	Sample pieces, notes on handling, durability, finish, safety.	Swatches, small prototypes, surface‑treatment trials.
Concept Development	Detailed drawings, exploded views, scaled models, CAD renderings.	Technical drawing, hand‑drafted sections, Fusion 360 or SketchUp model.
Reflection	Self‑assessment, peer feedback, revision notes linked to specific sketches.	Reflection journal entry, annotated sketch, “before‑after” comparison.

Portfolio Organisation (Assessment‑Ready Documentation)

Number every page/slide consecutively (e.g., 1, 2, 3 …).
Title page: project name, candidate number, date.
Label all images and sketches: Figure 1 – Mood‑board (12 Oct 2025).
Bibliography / source list: author, title, URL, accessed date for every visual reference.
Link each development stage back to the brief (e.g., “addresses constraint C2 – lightweight structure”).
Digital files: use a clear folder hierarchy, e.g.
01_Brief/02_Inspiration/03_Sketches/04_Models/05_Reflection

Tips for Effective Research

Start early – give yourself time to experiment, fail, and iterate.
Use a variety of sources – books, museums, online archives, field visits, interviews.
Label everything – dates, sources, and personal observations help track progress.
Stay focused on the brief – constantly ask “Does this support the design goal?”
Document failures as well as successes – they often lead to unexpected ideas.
Regularly review the skills checklist to ensure all required techniques are demonstrated.
When working with specialist equipment, record settings (temperature, laser power, feed rate) in your journal.

Assessment Checklist

Criterion	What Examiners Look For	Self‑Check
Understanding of Brief	Clear statement of purpose, audience analysis and constraints.	✓ Brief referenced throughout the journal.
Depth of Research	Varied sources, relevant visual material, thoughtful analysis of cultural/social and sustainability context.	✓ Mood board includes ≥ 8 distinct references with citations.
Development Evidence	Chronological progression from idea to refined concept, showing at least five distinct stages.	✓ Journal shows brief → inspiration → form → colour → material → concept → reflection.
Material & Technique Exploration	Testing of ≥ 3 different media, demonstration of required skills (texture, colour relationships, movement, specialist equipment).	✓ Sample sheets, kiln log, CAD screenshots attached.
Context & Intentionality	Investigation of social, cultural and sustainability factors; reference to relevant precedent designers.	✓ Context box completed with at least two precedent designers.
Reflection & Revision	Critical evaluation, clear links between feedback and subsequent changes.	✓ Reflection entries annotated with specific revisions.
Portfolio Organisation	Pages numbered, sources cited, logical folder/file structure, clear linking to brief.	✓ Title page, bibliography, labelled figures present.

Suggested diagram: Flowchart showing the research process – Intention → Research → Realisation → Reflection – with feedback loops at each stage.

carry out visual research showing clear development evidence