By the end of this topic, you should be able to...
create detailed drawings of components and assembled products that communicate dimensions, scale and assembly details.
Guiding Question
How do designers approach problem-solving?
What Are Concept Drawings?
Throughout the design process you have researched users, defined problems, generated ideas, built models, tested with real users, and iteratively refined your solution. Your design has evolved through multiple cycles of making and learning into a resolved, evidence-based solution.
Now comes one of the most critical communication challenges in the entire design process:
How do you communicate your design — precisely, completely, and unambiguously — to someone who was not part of the design journey?
A manufacturer who must build it. A client who must approve it. An engineer who must analyse it. A collaborator who must develop it further.
This is the purpose of concept drawings — precise, detailed, technical representations of a design solution that communicate exactly what the design is, how big it is, how it is made, and how it goes together, using a universal visual language that any trained reader can interpret accurately.
Concept drawings are the technical language of design — as precise and rule-governed as written language, but expressed through lines, dimensions, projections, and annotations rather than words.
Key distinction: Where ideation sketches (B2.1.10) communicate the idea of a design — loose, exploratory, and impressionistic — concept drawings communicate the specification of a design — precise, complete, and unambiguous. A concept drawing is not an artistic impression of what a design might look like. It is a technical document that tells a maker exactly how to build it.
Why Do Designers Need Concept Drawings?
Consider what happens without precise technical drawings:
A designer describes their solution verbally to a manufacturer: "The handle should be about this big, roughly oval, with some texture on it."
The manufacturer makes something — but it is the wrong size, the wrong shape, and assembled in the wrong sequence. The design fails — not because it was a bad idea, but because it was communicated imprecisely.
Concept drawings eliminate this gap between design intention and manufactured reality by providing:
Dimensional precision — exact measurements that leave no room for misinterpretation
Geometric clarity — precise shape and form information communicated through standardised projection methods
Assembly information — explicit instructions about how components fit together, in what sequence, and with what tolerances
Scale communication — accurate representation of the design's size relative to a stated measurement standard
Universal readability — drawings that follow internationally recognised conventions can be read by any trained person, anywhere in the world, without ambiguity
The Language of Technical Drawing
Technical drawing — sometimes called engineering drawing or working drawing — is a formal visual language governed by internationally recognised conventions and standards. The primary international standard for technical drawing is ISO 128 (International Organisation for Standardisation), which defines the rules for line types, projection methods, dimensioning, and notation used in technical drawings worldwide.
Understanding this language — its rules, conventions, and symbols — is fundamental to creating drawings that communicate effectively.
Types of Concept Drawings
Different types of concept drawings serve different communication purposes. A complete set of concept drawings for a design solution typically includes several drawing types, each providing different information:
Orthographic Projection
What is it?
Orthographic projection is the primary technical drawing method — a standardised system of representing a three-dimensional object through a set of two-dimensional views arranged in a specific, predictable relationship to each other.
Each view shows the object as it appears when viewed from a specific direction — front, top, side, bottom, back — with all lines drawn at true scale and with no perspective distortion.
The standard views:
View | Direction of Observation | What It Shows |
Front view (Elevation) | Looking directly at the front face | Height and width |
Top view (Plan) | Looking directly down from above | Width and depth |
Side view (End elevation) | Looking from the left or right side | Height and depth |
Bottom view | Looking directly up from below | Width and depth (underside details) |
Section view | Looking through a cut cross-section | Internal structure and geometry |
First Angle vs Third Angle Projection:
There are two internationally used systems for arranging orthographic views:
First Angle Projection | Third Angle Projection | |
Used in | Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia | United States, Canada |
Symbol | Truncated cone symbol — narrow end left | Truncated cone symbol — narrow end right |
Logic | The view is placed opposite to the direction of observation | The view is placed on the same side as the direction of observation |
Important: Always clearly indicate which projection system you are using on your drawing — using the standard symbol. A drawing without a projection symbol can be misread, causing serious manufacturing errors.
What orthographic projection communicates:
True dimensions — because views are drawn at true scale with no perspective distortion, dimensions can be read directly from the drawing
True shape — flat surfaces appear as their true shape in the view that shows them face-on
Geometric relationships — the precise angles, alignments, and relationships between all features of the design
Real-World Example:
When OXO finalised the design of a new Good Grips can opener for manufacture, their engineering team produced a complete set of orthographic drawings for each component — the body, the cutting mechanism, the handle, and the drive gear. Each drawing provided the precise dimensional information that the injection moulding and die-casting manufacturers needed to produce tooling — the metal moulds into which molten plastic and metal are injected to form each component.
Without precise orthographic drawings, the manufacturers could not have produced components that fitted together correctly or met the ergonomic specification criteria that had been established through user testing.
Isometric Drawing
What is it?
An isometric drawing is a three-dimensional pictorial drawing that represents an object in a way that shows three faces simultaneously — giving a clear three-dimensional impression while maintaining consistent scale across all three axes.
In isometric projection, all three principal axes — horizontal, vertical, and depth — are drawn at 120° to each other, with all measurements along each axis drawn at true scale. This means that unlike perspective drawings — where objects appear smaller as they recede — all parts of an isometric drawing are drawn at the same scale, making dimensions readable throughout.
Characteristics of isometric drawing:
Three faces visible simultaneously — gives strong three-dimensional understanding
All measurements at true scale — dimensions can be measured directly from the drawing
No convergence of parallel lines — unlike perspective, parallel edges remain parallel
Angles appear distorted — circular features appear as ellipses in isometric projection
What isometric drawing communicates:
Three-dimensional form — how the object looks and feels as a physical object
Spatial relationships — how different features of the design relate to each other in three-dimensional space
Overall configuration — particularly useful for communicating the overall character of a design to non-technical audiences
When to use isometric drawing:
Isometric drawings are most useful as supplementary drawings — accompanying orthographic projections to provide intuitive three-dimensional understanding. They are less useful than orthographic projection for precise manufacturing communication because they show only three faces and distort angular features.
Real-World Example:
When IKEA communicates assembly instructions for their furniture — designed for self-assembly by users without specialist tools or training — they use isometric drawings extensively. The three-dimensional clarity of isometric projection allows users of any language or technical background to understand the three-dimensional form of the assembled product and the spatial relationships between components during assembly.
Notably, IKEA's use of isometric drawing without written instructions — relying entirely on visual communication — is itself a universal design approach, making assembly instructions accessible to users of all languages and literacy levels.
Sectional Drawing
What is it?
A sectional drawing — or section view — is an orthographic view that represents the object as it would appear if it were cut through along a defined plane and the front portion removed, revealing the internal structure and geometry.
Sectional drawings are used when a design contains important internal features — channels, cavities, wall thicknesses, internal mechanisms — that cannot be adequately communicated through external views alone.
Types of sectional views:
Section Type | Description | When Used |
Full section | Object cut completely through along one plane | When internal geometry is complex and consistent |
Half section | Object cut through one quarter only — showing external and internal together | Symmetrical objects where both external and internal detail is important |
Part section | Only a small portion of the object is cut away | When a specific internal detail needs to be shown without obscuring the overall form |
Offset section | Cutting plane changes direction to pass through multiple features | When important features are not aligned on a single plane |
Section line conventions:
The cutting plane is indicated on the related view with a chain-dot line ending in arrows indicating the direction of view — labelled with letters (e.g. "Section A-A")
Cut surfaces are indicated with diagonal hatching lines — different materials indicated by different hatching patterns
Hidden detail lines are typically omitted in sectional views — the section itself reveals internal geometry
What sectional drawing communicates:
Wall thickness — critical for manufacturing and structural performance
Internal mechanisms — how internal components relate to external form
Material distribution — how material is distributed through the cross-section
Tolerances and fits — the precise relationship between mating internal and external surfaces
Real-World Example:
When Dyson engineers communicate the internal geometry of their digital motor housing to manufacturing partners, sectional drawings are essential. The motor housing contains complex internal air channels, bearing seats, and electronic component compartments that are completely invisible in external views. Sectional drawings through multiple planes reveal these internal geometries precisely — enabling manufacturers to produce the complex moulded components that the design requires.
Exploded View Drawing
What is it?
An exploded view drawing is a pictorial drawing — typically isometric — that shows all components of an assembled product separated along their assembly axes, as if the product had been gently pulled apart in the directions in which its components assemble.
The components are shown in their correct assembly relationships — aligned along the axes of assembly — allowing the viewer to understand both what the components are individually and how they fit together as an assembled product.
What exploded view drawing communicates:
Component identity — what individual components exist within the assembled product
Spatial relationships — how components relate to each other within the assembly
Assembly sequence — the order in which components are assembled
Assembly direction — the direction from which each component is inserted or attached
Quantity of each component — how many of each component type is required
Exploded view conventions:
Assembly axes are indicated by thin chain-dot lines connecting component positions in the exploded view to their assembled positions
Parts list (Bill of Materials) — a numbered table identifying each component by number, name, material, and quantity — accompanies the exploded view
Assembly arrows — directional arrows may be added to indicate assembly direction and sequence
Real-World Example:
When Microsoft communicated the assembly and component structure of the Xbox Adaptive Controller to their manufacturing partners, exploded view drawings were essential tools. The controller contains numerous components — the main body housing, the button mechanism assemblies, the port hardware, the PCB (printed circuit board), the cable management components, and the non-slip base — that must be assembled in a specific sequence with precise spatial relationships.
The exploded view, combined with a detailed Bill of Materials, gave manufacturing engineers a complete picture of the product's component structure — enabling them to plan assembly processes, source components, and quality-check assemblies without ambiguity.
The same exploded view format was also used in the consumer packaging — allowing users who needed to disassemble the controller for maintenance or modification to understand its component structure clearly.
Detail Drawing
What is it?
A detail drawing is an enlarged drawing of a specific feature or component of a design that requires more precise dimensional or geometric information than can be communicated at the overall drawing scale.
Detail drawings are indicated on the parent drawing by a circle or cloud enclosing the feature, with a label indicating the detail reference and the scale of the enlarged view.
What detail drawings communicate:
Fine dimensional tolerances — precise fits between mating components
Surface texture requirements — the finish specification of critical surfaces
Thread specifications — the type, size, and depth of threaded connections
Specific manufacturing processes — knurling patterns, radii, chamfers, and other features requiring precise specification
Critical ergonomic details — the precise geometry of grip surfaces, button profiles, and contact areas
Real-World Example:
When designers at Humanscale communicated the design of their Freedom Chair adjustment mechanism to their manufacturing engineers, detail drawings of the recline tension adjustment knob were essential. The knob incorporated a precisely profiled grip geometry — designed through multiple ergonomic testing iterations to be operable with minimal pinch grip force — that required dimensional tolerances of ±0.5mm to ensure consistent tactile performance across all manufactured units.
At the overall assembly drawing scale, this level of dimensional detail could not be communicated. A detail drawing at 5:1 scale — five times larger than actual size — provided the precision necessary for the injection moulding tool to be cut to the required accuracy.
Communicating Dimensions
Dimensioning is the process of adding precise size and position information to a technical drawing — transforming a geometric representation into a complete specification that a manufacturer can work from.
Dimensions are governed by strict conventions that ensure they are read consistently and unambiguously:
Dimensioning Elements
A complete dimension consists of three elements:
Extension lines — thin lines extending from the drawing to indicate the extent of the dimension
Dimension line — a thin line running between the extension lines, with arrowheads at each end indicating the direction of measurement
Dimension value — the numerical value of the measurement, placed above or centred on the dimension line, in the specified unit of measurement
Dimensioning Conventions
Convention | Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
Units | State the unit of measurement in the title block — typically millimetres (mm) for product design. Individual dimensions do not need units if stated in the title block | Consistency prevents unit confusion |
Placement | Dimensions should be placed outside the drawing outline wherever possible | Avoids confusion between dimension lines and drawing lines |
Spacing | Dimension lines should be consistently spaced — typically 8–10mm from the drawing outline and from each other | Readability and clarity |
No duplication | Each dimension should appear only once | Prevents conflicting information if a dimension is revised |
Fully defined | The drawing must contain sufficient dimensions to fully define the geometry — no dimension should be left to interpretation | Ensures the manufacturer has complete information |
Functional dimensioning | Dimensions should reflect functional requirements — not manufacturing convenience | Ensures specification criteria are directly encoded in the drawing |
Types of Dimensions
Dimension Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
Linear | Straight-line distance between two parallel planes | Handle length: 145mm |
Diameter | Diameter of a circular feature — indicated by the ∅ symbol | Grip diameter: ∅38mm |
Radius | Radius of a curved feature — indicated by the R symbol | Corner radius: R5mm |
Angular | Angle between two surfaces — in degrees | Lever angle: 15° |
Tolerance | Acceptable variation from the nominal dimension | Grip diameter: ∅38 ±0.5mm |
Tolerances — Communicating Acceptable Variation
In real manufacturing, it is impossible to produce components at exactly the specified dimension every time. Tolerances define the acceptable range of variation from the nominal dimension — the range within which the manufactured component will still function correctly.
Tolerance notation
Notation | Meaning |
|---|---|
∅38 ±0.5 | The diameter must be between 37.5mm and 38.5mm |
145 +0.5/-0 | The length must be between 145mm and 145.5mm |
∅38 H7/g6 | An ISO standard fit specification for mating cylindrical components |
Universal Design relevance: Tolerances in ergonomic dimensions — handle diameters, button sizes, reach distances — are particularly important in universal design. A handle specified at ∅38mm with a tolerance of ±5mm might produce handles ranging from 33mm to 43mm — a range that could span the difference between accessible and inaccessible for some users. Tight tolerances on ergonomic-critical dimensions ensure that every manufactured unit performs within the specified user capability range.
Communicating Scale
Scale is the relationship between the dimensions shown on the drawing and the actual dimensions of the object being drawn.
Because most products cannot be drawn at their actual size on a standard drawing sheet — either too large or too small — drawings are made at a specified scale that makes the drawing a convenient size while maintaining the proportional accuracy of all dimensions.
Scale Notation
Scale is expressed as a ratio:
Scale Notation | Meaning | Used For |
|---|---|---|
1:1 | Full size — drawing dimensions equal actual dimensions | Small components drawn at actual size |
1:2 | Half size — drawing is half the actual size | Medium components |
1:5 | One fifth size | Larger products |
1:10 | One tenth size | Large assemblies |
2:1 | Twice actual size | Small details requiring enlargement |
5:1 | Five times actual size | Very small components or fine details |
Scale conventions:
Scale must be clearly stated in the drawing title block — typically as "Scale: 1:2"
If a drawing contains views at different scales — such as a detail drawing at a different scale from the main drawing — each view must be individually labelled with its scale
Never scale dimensions from drawings — always use stated dimension values. Scale drawings can be distorted by printing or copying processes.
Important: All dimensions on a scaled drawing represent the actual size of the object — not the size as drawn. A dimension of 145mm on a 1:2 scale drawing means the actual component is 145mm — not 72.5mm.
Indicating Scale Visually
A scale bar — a graphic representation of a known length — can be included on drawings to provide a visual indication of scale that remains accurate even if the drawing is reproduced at a different size.
Scale bars are particularly important in drawings intended for non-technical audiences — such as client presentations or user testing materials — where the reader may not be familiar with scale notation.
Communicating Assembly Details
Assembly drawings communicate how individual components fit together to form the complete product — the spatial relationships, connection methods, assembly sequence, and tolerances of the assembled design.
The Bill of Materials (Parts List)
A Bill of Materials (BOM) — also called a Parts List — is a structured table that accompanies an assembly drawing, identifying every component in the assembly:
Item No. | Component Name | Material | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Main body | ABS polymer | 1 | Injection moulded |
2 | Grip surface | Santoprene 101-55 | 1 | Overmoulded onto item 1 |
3 | Pivot pin | Stainless steel 316 | 2 | Ø4mm × 22mm |
4 | Cutting wheel | Hardened steel | 1 | Ground edge — see Detail A |
5 | Adjustment dial | ABS polymer | 1 | Injection moulded |
6 | Compression spring | Stainless steel | 1 |
The BOM is connected to the assembly drawing through item numbers — each component on the drawing is labelled with a balloon (a circled number) connected to the component by a leader line, with the number corresponding to the BOM item number.
Assembly Annotations
Beyond the BOM, assembly drawings include annotations that communicate specific assembly information:
Annotation Type | Information Communicated |
|---|---|
Fit specifications | How tightly mating components fit together — clearance fit, transition fit, or interference fit |
Fastener specifications | Size, type, material, and tightening torque of screws, bolts, and other fasteners |
Adhesive specifications | Type of adhesive, application method, and curing requirements |
Assembly sequence notes | The order in which components must be assembled — "Item 3 must be installed before Item 4" |
Orientation notes | Specific orientation requirements — "Arrow must face upward in assembled position" |
Alignment references | Datum features used to position components accurately during assembly |
Standard Fastenings and Connections
Technical drawings use standardised symbols and conventions to communicate common connection methods — avoiding the need to draw standard components in full detail.
Connection Type | Drawing Convention |
|---|---|
Screws and bolts | Standard simplified representation — thread indicated by parallel lines |
Welds | Standard weld symbols placed on the joint line |
Press fits | Tolerance notation indicating interference fit |
Adhesive bonds | Annotation specifying adhesive type and bond area |
Snap fits | Geometric representation with clearance/interference tolerance |
Hinge connections | Standard symbol or detailed cross-section showing hinge geometry |
The Title Block
Every professional technical drawing includes a title block — a standardised information panel, typically in the lower right corner of the drawing sheet, that provides essential metadata about the drawing.
Title Block Field | Information Included |
|---|---|
Drawing title | Name of the component or assembly |
Drawing number | Unique reference number for the drawing |
Scale | The scale at which the drawing is produced |
Projection method | First angle or third angle — indicated by symbol |
Units | The unit of measurement used throughout the drawing |
Material | The material of the component (for component drawings) |
Surface finish | The general surface finish requirement |
Designer name | The person who created the drawing |
Date | The date the drawing was created or last revised |
Revision history | A record of changes made to the drawing since its original issue |
Sheet number | The sheet number and total sheet count for multi-sheet drawings |
Why does the title block matter? The title block transforms a drawing from an anonymous image into a controlled document — one that can be tracked, revised, and communicated with complete clarity about what it represents, at what scale, and in what revision state.
Real-World Examples
OXO Good Grips
When OXO prepares their Good Grips products for manufacturing, a complete drawing package is produced for each product, including:
Component drawings for each part:
Main body — orthographic projection with full dimensions, material specification, and surface finish requirements
Grip overmould — orthographic projection with precise dimensional tolerances critical for ergonomic performance
Internal mechanism components — sectional views revealing internal geometry, with tight tolerances on mating surfaces
Assembly drawing:
Exploded isometric view showing all components in their assembly relationship
Bill of Materials identifying every component by item number, material, and quantity
Assembly annotations specifying the overmoulding process sequence — critical for ensuring the Santoprene grip bonds correctly to the ABS body
Detail drawings:
Enlarged views of the grip surface fin geometry — communicating the precise depth, spacing, and cross-sectional profile of the fins that generate the product's characteristic tactile performance
Thread specifications for any threaded connections in products with mechanical adjustments
This complete drawing package enables OXO's manufacturing partners — many located in different countries from the design team — to produce components and assemblies to the exact specification established through the design and testing process.
Tactile Paving
The British Standard BS EN ISO 23599 for assistive products for blind and vision-impaired persons — which governs the design of tactile paving used throughout the United Kingdom and many other countries — is communicated entirely through technical drawings and dimensional specifications.
The standard includes:
Component drawings:
Plan views of blister (warning) and bar (directional) paving units with precise dimensional specifications for:
Dome diameter: 25mm ±1mm
Dome height: 5mm ±0.5mm
Dome spacing: 67mm centre-to-centre ±1mm
Bar width: 160mm to 180mm
Bar height: 5mm ±0.5mm
Assembly drawings:
Layout drawings showing the positioning and orientation of paving units at pedestrian crossings, platform edges, and hazard warnings
Dimensional specifications for the extent of tactile zones and their relationship to kerb edges and platform edges
Section views:
Cross-sectional drawings showing the profile geometry of tactile domes and bars — communicating the precise curvature that makes them detectable by white cane and underfoot without presenting a trip hazard
Universal Design significance: These technical drawings are the mechanism through which universal design is standardised and implemented at scale. Every tactile paving installation in the UK — millions of individual paving units — is manufactured and installed to the precise dimensions communicated through these technical drawings. The precision of the drawings directly determines whether blind and visually impaired pedestrians can navigate safely and independently.
Microsoft Adaptive Controller
One of the most technically challenging aspects of the Xbox Adaptive Controller design was communicating the external port system — the array of 3.5mm sockets through which users connect external switches and controllers — to manufacturing partners.
The drawing package for the port array included:
Component drawings:
Individual socket housing dimensions with tight tolerances ensuring consistent insertion and extraction forces across all manufactured units
PCB (printed circuit board) layout showing socket positioning with ±0.1mm positional tolerances — critical for ensuring external switch cables connected reliably
Assembly drawings:
Exploded views showing the relationship between the port array housing, the PCB, and the main controller body
Section views through the port connections showing wall thickness and connector depth — critical for confirming one-handed connectivity without visual guidance
Detail drawings:
Enlarged views of the socket geometry showing the precise chamfer at the socket entrance — designed to guide external connectors into position for users who cannot see or precisely position the connector
Surface texture specifications for the textured zones surrounding each port group — enabling tactile identification of port locations
Universal Design drawing principle: The precision of these drawings directly determined whether the adaptive controller functioned as its specification required — and whether disabled gamers could connect their assistive devices independently. The gap between a drawing dimension of 4.0mm and 4.5mm at the socket entrance could be the difference between a connector that guides in easily and one that requires precise visual and motor guidance that some users cannot provide. Technical drawing precision was, in this case, a universal design issue.
Drawing Quality and Presentation Standards
For concept drawings to communicate effectively — both to technical audiences and to examiners — they must meet basic standards of quality and presentation:
Line Quality
Technical drawings use standardised line types to communicate different types of information:
Line Type | Appearance | Used For |
|---|---|---|
Visible outline | Thick, continuous | Visible edges and outlines of the object |
Hidden detail | Thin, dashed | Edges and features hidden behind other surfaces |
Centre line | Thin, chain-dot | Axes of symmetry, centres of circular features |
Dimension line | Thin, continuous | Dimension lines and extension lines |
Section plane | Thick, chain-dot with arrows | The cutting plane of a section view |
Hatching | Thin, diagonal | Cut surfaces in section views |
Consistent, clear line quality — with visible outlines distinctly heavier than dimension lines and centre lines — is essential for readability.
Drawing Sheet Layout
A professional drawing sheet layout includes:
Title block in the lower right corner
Drawing content centred on the sheet with consistent margins
Multiple views arranged in the correct orthographic relationship
Dimensions placed consistently outside the drawing outline
Notes and annotations grouped logically and clearly legible
Annotation Quality
Annotations on concept drawings should be:
Written in clear, legible lettering — freehand or stencilled, never decorative fonts
Positioned clearly with leader lines connecting annotations to the features they describe
Specific and technical — not vague descriptions but precise specifications
Key Takeaway
Concept drawings are the precise, technical communication language through which design intentions are translated into buildable realities. Using standardised drawing types — orthographic projection, isometric drawing, sectional views, exploded view drawings, and detail drawings — designers communicate the exact dimensions, scale, and assembly details of their solutions to manufacturers, engineers, and collaborators. Dimensions communicate precise size and position information; scale notation establishes the relationship between drawing size and actual size; assembly drawings, Bills of Materials, and assembly annotations communicate how components fit together. Governed by international standards such as ISO 128, concept drawings provide a universal visual language that any trained reader can interpret accurately — eliminating the ambiguity that separates design intention from manufactured reality. In universal design, the precision of concept drawings is not merely a technical formality — it is the mechanism through which carefully researched, human-centred design decisions are faithfully preserved through manufacture and into the hands of the people they were designed to serve.
Practical Application
Concept drawings are a significant and directly assessed component of your Internal Assessment (IA).
Concept Drawing Component | Your IA Application |
|---|---|
Orthographic projection | Full orthographic views of your final design solution — front, top, and side views at appropriate scale with complete dimensions |
Component drawings | Individual dimensioned drawings for each major component of your design — with material specifications and surface finish requirements |
Assembly drawing | Exploded isometric view of your complete assembled design with Bill of Materials and assembly annotations |
Sectional views | Section views through critical internal features — mechanism housings, wall sections, internal channels |
Detail drawings | Enlarged views of ergonomically critical features — grip surfaces, control elements, connecting details |
Title block | Complete title block on every drawing — title, scale, projection method, units, your name, and date |
Dimensions | Complete, consistent dimensioning throughout — every feature fully defined with no ambiguity |
IA Criteria Connection
Criterion | Concept Drawing Connection |
|---|---|
Criterion A — Analysis of a Problem | Specification criteria — ergonomic dimensions, force requirements, material specifications — are directly encoded in the dimensions and annotations of concept drawings, demonstrating that the design is a direct response to research findings |
Criterion B — Conceptual Design | Annotated concept drawings of initial design ideas demonstrate the transition from loose ideation sketches to resolved, dimensioned design proposals — showing how creative ideas became specific, buildable concepts |
Criterion C — Development of a Prototype | Concept drawings at each development iteration document how the design evolved — showing dimensional changes, mechanism refinements, and material decisions made in response to testing findings |
Criterion D — Testing and Evaluation | Final concept drawings provide the precise design specification against which the manufactured prototype can be measured and evaluated — confirming dimensional accuracy and assembly correctness |
💡Student Tip
The most common mistakes in IA concept drawings are incomplete dimensioning and missing scale notation. A beautiful drawing that cannot be built because it lacks critical dimensions — or that cannot be measured because its scale is not stated — fails its fundamental purpose. Before submitting any concept drawing, ask yourself: "Could a skilled manufacturer build this design exactly as I intend it, using only the information on this drawing?" If the answer is no — if any dimension is missing, any assembly detail is unclear, or any scale is unstated — the drawing is not yet complete. Additionally, connect your drawings explicitly to your design specification — annotate critical dimensions with references to the specification criteria they fulfil. This explicit connection demonstrates to examiners that your design decisions were research-driven, not arbitrary.
Sources
Cross, Nigel. Designerly Ways of Knowing. Springer, 2006.
Eissen, Koos, and Roselien Steur. Sketching: Drawing Techniques for Product Designers. BIS Publishers, 2007.
Giesecke, Frederick E., et al. Technical Drawing with Engineering Graphics. 15th ed., Pearson, 2016.
International Baccalaureate Organization. Design Technology Guide. International Baccalaureate Organization, 2014.
Lawson, Bryan. How Designers Think: The Design Process Demystified. 4th ed., Architectural Press, 2006.
Pipes, Alan. Drawing for Designers. Laurence King Publishing, 2007.
Cross-reference: B2.1.10 ideation techniques expressed through concept drawing; B2.1.15 for development of concept drawings into presentation renders.
Linking Questions
What ergonomic considerations are important to be able to engage successfully with the design process? (A1.1)
How do design technology students ensure they engage with user-centred research methods? (A2.1)
To what extent are the goals of the design process aligned with the goals of a user-centred design (UCD) process? (B1.1)
To what extent does the model, test, refine cycle require full engagement with modelling and prototyping at several levels of fidelity? (B2.2)
Which aspects of the design process require engagement with material selection? (B3.1)
How do the requirements of the design process ensure students are addressing the responsibility of the designer? (C1.1)
Why is product analysis and evaluation important in the design process? (C3.1)
To what extent does the design process require the exploration of design for manufacture strategies? (C4.1)