GCSE Design & Technology
Context, Design Brief and Specification
Design Context Worksheet
Mind map of ideas that link
to your design context
Annotated Images of Products that have inspired you
Who is your intended user?
What are their needs?
Why would they use your product?
Writing a Design Brief
A design brief is a short, precise way of explaining what you intend to design, who it will be for and what
its purpose will be. Below is an example of a design brief that a designer might use when designing a
bag. They would pick something from each of the three boxes and use them to complete their sentence:
carry their PE kit in
drawstring bag
teenagers
Eg I am going to design and make a ……………………… for ………………to
…...................................
Name of Product
User Group
Purpose
Rucksack
Teenage girls
Store their … in
Satchel
Teenage boys
Carry their …….
Shoulder bag
Teenagers
Transport …….
Drawstring bag
Teenagers who...
Protect ……..
Have a go at writing a design brief for the products below using the writing frame. Once you feel
confident, try writing your own design brief at the bottom of the page.
A Sensory Baby Toy
I am going to design and make a
………………………………………………..
for
…………………………………………….
to…..………………………………………….
A Computer Desk
I am going to design and make a
………………………………………………..
for
…………………………………………….
to…..………………………………………….
My own Design Brief:
Writing a Specification (Lower Ability)
Below is some information about different products and their specification points. You need to cut them up and then stick them into the table in
the correct place.
Must be able to absorb water
Bath Towel
Needs to be insulating
Needs to be educational
Baby’s Play Mat
Needs to be waterproof
Must be machine washable
Ski Jacket
Must have no small parts
Name of product
Picture
Specification Point 1
Specification Point 2
Name of product
Picture
Specification Point 1
Specification Point 2
Writing a Specification (Average Ability)
Look at the products below. Each one has two specification points below that apply to them. Once you
have put these into the correct place can you add your own third specification point for each item and
justify one of the points?
Must be able to absorb water
Must have no small parts
Needs to be insulated
Must be machine washable
Needs to be educational
Needs to be waterproof
Bath Towel
1
2
3
Baby’s Play Mat
1
2
3
Ski Jacket
1
2
3
Writing a Specification (Higher Ability)
For each of the products below, come up with three important specification points that the designer
should consider, justifying those points.
Fireman’s Jacket
1
2
3
Swimming Costume
1
2
3
Tent
1
2
3
Football Shirt
1
2
3