MYP Design Year 1 · Unit 3 · Lesson 20
Design Skills Studio
L20 · 01

Annotation

A strong design sketch shows the idea. A strong annotation explains the choices.

Student Materials
Annotation lens
F
FUNCTIONWhat does the feature help the product do?
M
MATERIALWhat could the part be made from and why?
D
DIMENSIONWhich size or spacing detail matters?
Use ← → / Space to navigate.Lesson 20 · Visual communication
Learning Focus
Explain the sketch
L20 · 02

By the end of today, students can…

01

Label

important parts and features.

02

Explain

what a feature does for the user or function.

03

Add

useful material or dimension information when it matters.

B.ii preparationAnnotations should add information
Mini-Lesson
Label vs annotation
L20 · 03

Label only

“Handle”

Annotation

“Wide handle gives the user more contact area for a steadier grip.”

ASK

Does the note tell the reader something they could not learn just by looking at the sketch?

Annotations can be short.Meaning over volume
Four Useful Annotation Types
Use only what matters
L20 · 04

Function

“Front lip stops the item sliding.”

User

“Opening leaves finger space for easy removal.”

Material

“Stiff card keeps the side wall upright.”

Dimension

“60 mm opening fits the selected item.”

Not every sketch needs every annotation type.Relevant information
Teacher Demo
Annotate one simple product
L20 · 05
Angled back support positions the object for viewing.
Front lip prevents the object from sliding forward.
Wide base increases stability on the table.
Teacher models arrows + short notes.No tiny paragraphs
Workshop
Annotation Studio
L20 · 06
Design Studio

Upgrade a sketch by adding useful information.

STEP 01

Choose

Select a sketch from Lesson 19.

STEP 02

Annotate

Add at least four useful notes with leader lines.

STEP 03

Check

Ask a partner what they understand from the page.

Annotations should be readable from the page.Main workshop
Peer Check
Can the reader understand the design?
L20 · 07

Partner reads the page without an explanation.

I understand…

one important feature and what it does.

I can find…

the main parts and how they connect.

I still wonder…

one detail that may need another annotation.

No verbal rescue until after the check.Communication test
Exit Reflection
Annotations carry design thinking
L20 · 08

Finish one sentence.

“The most useful annotation on my page is _______ because it helps the reader understand _______.”

Next lesson

Students compare form and function and practise explaining design trade-offs.

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