Lesson 50 · Unit 6
IA Day 20 —
Compare Redesign vs Existing Product
Complete Criterion E by showing how the intended redesign improves on the original product and addresses the problems identified at the start.
80 minutesIA Criterion E
Original
Improvement
Problems
Guiding question: Can your final comparison trace the redesign back to the problems that justified the project?01
Today’s destination
By the end of class, you should be able to…
01
Return to the original product
Use the same product/problem evidence that began the IA.
02
Compare directly
Show what changed and why it matters.
03
Address identified problems
Trace improvements back to the empathize/problem-definition evidence.
04
Complete Criterion E
Build a concise, comprehensive comparison.
Success check: Produce clear, criterion-aligned IA evidence during today’s studio block.
IA DAY 20 · Criterion E strand 202
Original productWhat existed?
Identified problemWhat failed the user/task?
Redesign featureWhat changed?
EvidenceWhat testing supports the improvement?
ImpactHow is the intended user better served?
Criterion E · original problem → redesign improvement03
| Identified problem | Existing product | Redesigned solution | Evidence / specification | User impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Original weakness | Specific improvement | Test / S# | What changes for the user? |
| P2 | Original weakness | Specific improvement | Evidence | Impact |
Comparison should be traceable and specific04
Weak claim
“My redesign is much better.”
Vague, global and unsupported.
→
Stronger comparison
Problem-specific improvement
Describe the original issue, the redesigned feature and the evidence showing how the identified problem is addressed.
Criterion E · comprehensive means complete + specific05
Existing product
Original evidence
Annotate the relevant problem.
→
Redesign
Improved feature
Annotate the improvement and evidence.
Show the comparison, then explain it06
Studio block
The mini-lesson is short. The evidence-making is the lesson.
60+minutes work
List every identified problem
Use your Criterion A/B evidence—not a new list invented at the end.
Use your Criterion A/B evidence—not a new list invented at the end.
Build side-by-side comparisons
Existing product → redesigned feature → evidence → user impact.
Existing product → redesigned feature → evidence → user impact.
Check comprehensiveness
Every major identified problem is addressed or honestly acknowledged.
Every major identified problem is addressed or honestly acknowledged.
Finish Criterion E
Keep the writing concise; the guide recommends about 200 words for Criterion E overall.
Keep the writing concise; the guide recommends about 200 words for Criterion E overall.
IA studio · Criterion E finish07
Original product is the same one
The comparison closes the project loop.
EThe comparison closes the project loop.
Problems are traceable
They come from earlier evidence.
EThey come from earlier evidence.
Improvements are specific
Features—not slogans—explain the redesign.
EFeatures—not slogans—explain the redesign.
Evidence supports claims
Testing/specifications/user evidence appear where relevant.
ETesting/specifications/user evidence appear where relevant.
Criterion E · complete the story08
Exit ticket
Before you leave…
1. Name the original problem your strongest redesign feature addresses.
2. Identify one comparison that needs evidence rather than a claim.
3. State whether every identified problem is addressed—or honestly explain what remains.
Next lesson
IA Day 21 — Final IA Audit, Referencing & Submission
Keep the evidence chain moving: user → research → decision → test.
Curriculum alignment
Criterion E strand 2: present how the redesigned solution compares with the original existing product identified at the start and how it addresses the identified problems; approximately two A4 pages or equivalent. Highest-band work comprehensively addresses the identified problems. Criterion E recommended word count is 200 total across the criterion.
Criterion E strand 2: present how the redesigned solution compares with the original existing product identified at the start and how it addresses the identified problems; approximately two A4 pages or equivalent. Highest-band work comprehensively addresses the identified problems. Criterion E recommended word count is 200 total across the criterion.
Lesson complete9 slides
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IB Design Technology SL · Lesson 5009