Lesson 32 · Unit 4
IA Day 9 —
Annotated Concept Development
Turn redesign ideas into readable design evidence: feasible, distinct, annotated and traceable to research.
80 minutesIA Criterion C
3 best ideas
Annotate decisions
Iterate
Guiding question: What makes a redesign idea strong enough for another person to understand, test and evaluate?01
Today’s destination
By the end of class, you should be able to…
01
Read Criterion C
Know what evidence the ideation strand is actually looking for.
02
Annotate with purpose
Explain key features, decisions and evidence—not decoration.
03
Develop three strong ideas
Keep the ideas feasible and genuinely distinct.
04
Use the studio block
Spend most of today producing IA evidence.
Success check: Produce a visible improvement to Criterion C evidence before the end of class.
IA DAY · mini-lesson → studio02
Criterion C · Ideation and modelling
Three of the best possible redesign ideas—not three cosmetic variants.
Feasible
A realistic response to the problem statement, user needs and constraints.
Annotated
A reader can understand key features, reasoning and evidence without you standing beside the page.
Distinct
The ideas explore meaningfully different ways to solve the problem—not colour changes.
IB evidence: a range of feasible ideas using sketches, drawings, CAD, images and/or fidelity models. The guide suggests roughly one to two A4 pages per idea.
IA Criterion C · Strand 103
Annotation = design reasoning
Label the decision, then explain why it matters.
USERUser connectionHow does this feature respond to the persona / task?
SPECSpecificationWhich essential or desirable requirement does it address?
FUNCTIONFunctionWhat does the feature do and how?
ERGONOMICSHuman factorsWhat reach, clearance, grip, comfort or inclusive need matters?
MATERIALMaterial logicWhat material/property is intended and why?
EVIDENCEResearch/feedbackWhat observation, testing or source supports the decision?
Annotate the reasoning—not only the object04
Upgrade the evidence
Weak annotation
“Rubber grip”
Names a feature but does not explain the design decision.
→
Stronger annotation
“Textured elastomer grip increases friction…”
“…to reduce slipping during the observed wet-hand task; this addresses essential specification S3 and the persona’s limited grip confidence.”
Good annotation makes the evidence chain visible: research → decision → feature → expected benefit.
Criterion C · clear, evidence-linked annotations05
Iterative development
Show what changed because you learned something.
Idea v1Initial feature / geometry.
QuestionWhat uncertainty needs testing?
Feedback / researchUser insight, measurement or source.
ChangeSpecific modification.
Idea v2Improved evidence-based direction.
Criterion C specifically expects additional research and/or feedback that enables iterative development of ideas.
Make learning visible through iteration06
Today · 80 minutes
Mini-lesson finished. Now build the evidence.
60+
Idea 1–3
Develop three feasible and meaningfully distinct directions.
Develop three feasible and meaningfully distinct directions.
Annotations
Connect key features to user evidence, specifications and technical reasoning.
Connect key features to user evidence, specifications and technical reasoning.
Iteration markers
Highlight where feedback / research changes an idea.
Highlight where feedback / research changes an idea.
Teacher checkpoint
Be ready to explain why each idea deserves to remain in the top three.
Be ready to explain why each idea deserves to remain in the top three.
IA studio · teacher conferences + independent work07
Criterion C self-audit
Can a stranger understand your design thinking?
1
I have three strong, feasible redesign ideas—not three superficial variants.
2
Each idea addresses the problem statement and shows the important key features.
3
Annotations explain decisions and evidence, not only labels.
4
I have highlighted additional research and/or feedback that caused iteration.
5
My pages use readable visuals and concise text; the design can be interpreted by others.
Do not polish a weak idea into a beautiful page. Improve the design reasoning first.
Criterion C · quality check08
Exit ticket
Before you leave…
1. Show where one annotation links directly to research or a specification.
2. Circle one idea feature that still needs evidence or feedback.
3. Name the next model/test you need before evaluating the ideas.
Next lesson
Model → Test → Refine
Keep the evidence chain moving: user → research → decision → test.
Curriculum alignment
IA Criterion C: present three of the best possible annotated, feasible redesign ideas addressing the problem statement and key features; use sketches/drawings/CAD/images and fidelity models; highlight additional research and/or feedback enabling iterative development.
IA Criterion C: present three of the best possible annotated, feasible redesign ideas addressing the problem statement and key features; use sketches/drawings/CAD/images and fidelity models; highlight additional research and/or feedback enabling iterative development.
Lesson complete9 slides
Designed by David Xu · © 2026 David Xu. All rights reserved.Educators and students are welcome to use these materials for non-commercial teaching and learning with attribution. Please share the original link when possible. Reposting, redistributing modified copies, removing attribution, or commercial use requires prior permission.
IB Design Technology SL · Lesson 3209