MYP Design Year 1 · Unit 2 · Lesson 9
Redesign an Everyday Object for a User
L09 · 01

Designing for Users

A design problem matters because it affects a real person in a real situation.

Student Materials
Unit challenge
U
USERChoose one intended user for a teacher-approved everyday object redesign.
!
NEEDExplain what is difficult or could work better for that user.
R
RESEARCHGather evidence before developing an early redesign concept.
Use ← → / Space to navigate.Unit 2 · Lesson 9
Unit 2 Challenge
Redesign an Everyday Object for a User
L09 · 02
Redesign an Everyday Object for a User

Choose one teacher-approved everyday object or product category. Investigate how one intended user interacts with it, gather evidence, analyse one existing product, and develop an early redesign concept.

holdergripstand small storagecarrying aidclassroom accessory
Teacher approves scope before students continue.Physical / familiar / manageable
Learning Focus
Criterion A.i
L09 · 03

Today’s goal: explain and justify the need for a solution.

WHO?Identify the intended user.
→
WHAT HAPPENS?Describe the problem in the situation.
→
WHY MATTER?Explain why improving it would help the user.
JUSTIFYGive a clear reason why the need is worth addressing.
A.i formal evidence begins today.User → problem → importance
Strong Need Statements
Specific beats dramatic
L09 · 04

Too vague

“This water bottle is bad and needs to be redesigned.”

Stronger

“A student carrying several items has difficulty gripping this smooth bottle with one hand. A more secure grip could make carrying it easier and reduce dropping.”

LOOK FOR

A user · a situation · observable difficulty · a reason the difficulty matters.

Do not require a formal design brief.Year 1 A.i
Workshop
User Problem Case Workshop
L09 · 05
Workshop

Practice identifying a defensible need.

STEP 01

Read

Read a short user situation card.

STEP 02

Find evidence

Identify who has the problem and what is happening.

STEP 03

Justify

Explain why a solution would be useful to that user.

Practice first, then students apply to their own challenge.Main workshop
Apply to Your Project
A.i formal evidence
L09 · 06

Write your own need for a solution.

“For _______ in the situation _______, the current product creates difficulty because _______. A redesigned solution is needed because _______.”

Use the sentence frame only if it helps. Your final response may sound different as long as it clearly explains and justifies the need.

Student completes A.i page.Summative evidence
Exit Check
Would another person understand?
L09 · 07

Partner check.

Can your partner identify your user, problem, situation, and reason the problem matters?

Next lesson

Students learn to observe users without immediately guessing what they need.

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