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IB MYP Design

IB MYP Design Cycle Examples for Every Stage

The MYP Design Cycle guides students through Inquiring and Analysing, Developing Ideas, Creating the Solution, and Evaluating. This page shows concrete examples for each stage, linked to the assessment criteria, so you can see what strong work looks like and apply it to your own project.

Read the FAQs

Design Cycle Overview

The MYP Design Cycle consists of four interconnected stages: Inquiring and Analysing, Developing Ideas, Creating the Solution, and Evaluating. Each stage maps directly to one of the four assessment criteria (A–D) and is documented in the process journal.

Students move through the cycle iteratively, returning to earlier stages as new information emerges. The cycle applies to digital, product, and systems design projects across MYP years 1–5.

Inquiring and Analysing Examples

🔍

Define a real-world problem with context

Students explain why the problem matters and who it affects.

📚

Conduct primary and secondary research

Surveys, interviews, and literature reviews build evidence.

📊

Analyse existing products or systems

Benchmarking reveals gaps and opportunities.

📝

Write a concise design brief

Summarises the problem, user, and constraints.

✅

Set specific, measurable success criteria

Example: adjustable height, weight under five kg, recycled materials.

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Justify the need for a solution

Links research findings to the proposed direction.

Developing Ideas Examples

  1. Generate multiple distinct design conceptsStudents produce a range of feasible ideas using sketches, wireframes, or low-fidelity prototypes.
  2. Use sketches, wireframes, or physical modelsVisual thinking makes concepts tangible and comparable.
  3. Evaluate each concept against success criteriaEach idea is scored on criteria such as usability, offline access, and data privacy.
  4. Create a weighted decision matrixA matrix quantifies trade-offs and supports transparent selection.
  5. Justify the final concept selectionThe rationale explains why the chosen concept best balances the criteria.
  6. Document iterations and rejected ideasRejected concepts and reasons are recorded in the process journal.

Creating the Solution Examples

Produce a logical, step-by-step production plan

For a laser-cut organiser, the plan lists cutting sequence, material tests, assembly steps, and time estimates.

Select appropriate tools, materials, and techniques

Choices are justified against success criteria and safety requirements.

Demonstrate technical skills safely

Photos show prototype parts, fit adjustments, and safe workshop practice.

Record modifications and problem-solving

Changes during construction are logged with rationale in the process journal.

Present a finished solution that works

The final product is annotated linking features to each success criterion.

Evaluating Examples

Test the solution against every success criterionCollect quantitative and qualitative dataGather authentic user feedbackReflect on strengths and limitations of the processPropose specific, actionable improvementsExplain how changes would better meet the brief

Documentation and Process Journal

1

Date and label every entry by criterion

Entries are organised by stage (A–D) for clear evidence mapping.

2

Include raw research and source links

Primary data, references, and interview notes are kept intact.

3

Insert sketches, screenshots, and photos

Visual evidence shows progression from concept to final outcome.

4

Record decision rationale at each choice point

Why this material? Why this dimension? Why this algorithm?

5

Log production steps, time, and changes

Contemporaneous logs are more valuable than retrospective summaries.

6

Write reflections throughout, not only at the end

Ongoing reflection builds the narrative moderators expect.

Common Challenges and How to Address Them

Common challenges

  • Scope creep expands the project beyond realistic limits
  • Vague success criteria make evaluation impossible
  • Testing left until the end misses iteration opportunities
  • Decision-making without a matrix leads to arbitrary choices
  • User testing skipped due to time pressure
  • Reflection focuses on product, not process

How to address them

  • Set stage-specific mini-deadlines early
  • Write success criteria that are measurable
  • Test against criteria during creation, not only after
  • Use a decision matrix to avoid scope creep
  • Schedule user testing before the final deadline
  • Reflect on process, not only the product

Connecting to Personal Project and DP Pathways

The Design Cycle mirrors the Personal Project cycle: goal setting, planning, action, and reflection. Habits formed here — defining criteria, documenting iterations, evaluating against evidence — transfer directly to the Personal Project report and to DP subjects such as Design Technology, Computer Science, and the Extended Essay.

The academic calendar highlights that by October students should understand how to apply, analyse, and evaluate, and that DP subject choices benefit from understanding workload and prerequisites.

Getting Started with Your Design Project

  1. Write a clear, specific problem statementIdentify a genuine problem you care about and state it in one sentence.
  2. Draft three research questionsQuestions guide primary and secondary research from the start.
  3. Define two measurable success criteriaMake them specific and testable, for example: weight under five kg, adjustable height.
  4. Start a dated process journal immediatelyRecord every step, decision, and reflection from day one.
  5. Sketch three distinct concept ideasExplore different approaches before narrowing down.
  6. Schedule a check-in with your supervisorShare early drafts for feedback before investing significant time.

FAQs

How many stages are in the MYP Design Cycle?

There are four stages: Inquiring and Analysing, Developing Ideas, Creating the Solution, and Evaluating. Each maps to one assessment criterion (A–D).

What should the process journal contain?

Dated entries for every stage: research notes, sketches, decision matrices, production plans, photos, test data, and reflections. It is the primary evidence for all criteria.

Can I move back to an earlier stage?

Yes. The cycle is iterative. New findings during Creating or Evaluating often require returning to Inquiring or Developing Ideas.

How do I write good success criteria?

Make them specific, measurable, and directly tied to the problem. For example: 'The chair supports a weight of one hundred kg' is better than 'The chair is strong'.

How does the Design Cycle help with the Personal Project?

It builds the same inquiry–action–reflection habits, teaches evidence-based evaluation, and produces a portfolio of documented project work.

What if my solution does not meet all success criteria?

That is normal. Criterion D rewards honest testing, clear data, and specific improvement proposals more than a perfect product.

Ready to strengthen your Design Cycle project?

Work with a tutor who knows the MYP Design criteria and can help you plan, document, and evaluate each stage with confidence.