Junior Cycle Project GuideAs you embark on your Junior Cycle Project, remember all the learning and self-reflection you have engaged in 1st and 2nd Year. This Project Guide aims to support your iterative design thinking approach through a series of checklists. There is a checklist provided for each stage of the design thinking processes shown in the diagram below. Best of luck with your Junior Cycle Project!

Exploration

Need-Finding Checklist

I explored the world around me, paying attention using an observing eye.

I identified a real world problem that needs to be solved.

I identified what needs to be improved.

I understand what I am trying to improve.

I identified who needs this problem to be solved – the user.

I understand why people need this problem to be solved.

I identified the place/environment where the problem exists.

I communicated (wrote) the problem I am trying to solve in one sentence.

Need- findingTo find a

problem

Initial ideas

Record your first ideas

AnalysisUnderstand the problem

ResearchFind

information

Investigation‘Right’

information

Developed ideas

More ideas

ExperimentTest your

ideas

RealiseMake a solution

Discovery CreateExploration

See Design Roots Chapter 4 for support related to the user.See Chapter 5 for examples and activities to support your need-finding.

Reflect and RefineEvaluation

PROJECT AND ACTIVITY BOOKDESIGN ROOTS

Initial Idea Checklist

I generated many initial ideas.

I communicated my thoughts via doodles.

I captured my initial idea(s) in sketches.

I wrote brief notes (annotated) explaining my idea(s).

I included the needs of the user.

I included the use of the artefact in the initial idea(s).

I can use these initial ideas to develop other ideas.

My initial ideas remind me of something.

Discovery

Analysis Checklist

I underlined/highlighted key words; these describe what needs to be addressed.

I discovered the meaning of key words.

I created a mind-map expanding the key words in the problem.

I identified the requirements of the problem.

I created a list of the requirements of the problem.

I identified the main user.

I identified the main function.

I identified the sizes I need to discover.

I identified the location or environment relevant to the problem.

I understand the problem I am trying to solve.

I created key questions to help discover information.

See Chapter 2 for examples and activities to support your sketching and doodling skills.

See Chapter 4 for support on the key criteria for good design.See Chapter 6 for some examples and activities to support your analysis.

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JUNIOR CYCLE PROJECT GUIDE

Research Checklist

I discovered the relevant information for the problem keywords.

I researched related or similar existing artefacts or products.

I measured products, their parts, user size, sizes of items which need to be stored/held.

I obtained information from multiple sources; internet, people, magazines, books, letter/email.

I wrote the key information for further and future reference.

I researched the relevant health and safety; health and safety features for the user, and safety features of similar products.

I researched the needs of the user; I found out information about the user.

I researched the use (function) of the artefact.

I researched the location or environment where the product will be used.

I researched materials for this product.

I researched manufacturing and jointing methods.

I researched former or template design.

I researched the tools and machines that are needed.

I researched suitable wood finishes.

I compiled this research; evidence of all the research gathered.

I shared my research with my classmates.

I communicated my thoughts on this research gathered.

See Chapter 7 for some examples and activities to support your research.

PROJECT AND ACTIVITY BOOKDESIGN ROOTS

Investigation Checklist

I identified the specific/relevant sizes for the artefact parts.

I selected the relevant information about the user.

I extracted the relevant information from letters/ emails received.

I identified the relevant information from similar products.

I identified the appropriate materials for this product; suitable materials for the function, and also considered sustainability.

I identified key information to ensure health and safety; evaluated and reported the safety features of similar products.

I identified further/specific needs of the user.

I selected suitable materials.

I selected possible ways to join and make the artefact.

I identified the relevant tools and machines that are needed.

I identified suitable finishes suitable for the user, and the environment.

I identified suitable finishes suitable for the function, and environment.

See Chapter 7 for some examples and activities to support your investigation.

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JUNIOR CYCLE PROJECT GUIDE

Create

Developed Ideas Checklist

I developed many design ideas (fluency).

I communicated a range of different ideas (flexibility).

My ideas evolved; I developed one idea further to improve it (elaboration).

I captured each developed idea in a separate sketch.

I wrote brief notes (critical reflection), I explained each idea, and how and why my ideas evolved.

I included the needs of the user in each developed idea; the user need, safety and ergonomics.

I included the use of the artefact in each design idea.

I linked and used my research and investigation to prompt ideas.

I considered the environment in my design.

I reviewed each developed idea identifying positive and improvement points in the context of the problem brief.

I evolved past my initial idea(s) and existing products; I did not fixate.

I selected one developed idea as a possible solution.

I communicated a progression/evolution from the first to last idea.

I used colour and shading to enhance my ideas.

I reflected that my ideas solve the problem using the analysis criteria.

My design is an improvement on existing products.

I received feedback from the user or others on the design ideas.

See Chapter 4 for support on the key criteria for good design.See Chapter 8 for some examples and activities to support your development of design ideas.See Chapter 2 and 3 for examples and activities to support your sketching and drawing skills.

PROJECT AND ACTIVITY BOOKDESIGN ROOTS

Experiment Checklist

I created a simple model of an idea/ideas.

I created a prototype of my selected idea.

I created a template for a feature of my selected idea.

I tested the size based on the needs of the user.

I tested the suitability of joints and other realisation features based on the use of the artefact.

I carried out an experiment to test the various types of finishes.

I experimented with various wood-based materials, and alternative materials, where possible.

I experimented with how the project will be joined/put together.

I refined my selected idea to ensure I can make it to the best of my ability.

The refined selected idea is sustainable and environmental.

The selected design solves the problem.

I created working drawings to support its realisation.

All sizes/dimensions are included on my drawings.

I prepared a cutting list of the material I need to make my solution.

I produced a costing to make the selected idea.

I compiled a list of hand tools or machines needed to make the selected idea.

I created a schedule/timeline/plan to ensure I have enough time to make the selected solution.

See Chapter 9 for some examples and activities to support your experimentation.See Chapters 2 and 3 for examples and activities to support your sketching and drawing skills.

See Chapter 1 for health and safety considerations.See Chapters 18, 19 and 20 for hand tools, power tools and machines.

JUNIOR CYCLE PROJECT GUIDE

Realisation Checklist

I compiled a health and safety checklist for the realisation.

I transferred the dimensions accurately from the working drawing to the material.

I marked out the material accurately.

I processed the material accurately.

I assembled the material accurately.

I applied a finish to a high standard.

The final artefact addresses the problem brief.

I learned from my mistakes and failures during this project.

I am happy with the overall result/finished artefact.

The final artefact is safe for the user.

The final artefact addresses the need of the user.

The final artefact is the correct size for the user (ergonomics).

See Chapter 1 for health and safety considerations.See Chapters 18, 19 and 20 for hand tools, power tools and machines.

PROJECT AND ACTIVITY BOOKDESIGN ROOTS

Final Evaluation

Evaluation Checklist

I evaluated the final design based on the problem criteria.

I evaluated the final make based on the problem criteria.

The final artefact addresses the problem brief.

I learned from my mistakes and failures during this project.

I am happy with the overall result /finished artefact.

The final artefact is safe for the user.

The final artefact addresses the need of the user.

The final artefact is the correct size for the user (ergonomics).

Final Evaluation: Self-Reflection

If you were to do the project again what would you do differently?

Should there be modifications or alterations made to the final presented work?

If you were to start again would you do anything differently?

Why do you think certain mistakes or failures occurred?

What would you change or improve in the final artefact?

See Chapter 10 for some examples and activities to support your evaluation.