IB Design Technology Part II (SL)

IB Design Tech SL2 is year two of a two-year course designed to cover IB's Design Tech Standard Level (SL) curriculum. To design is to understand user needs, redefine problems, and develop innovative solutions that can be tested and refined. The IB Diploma Programme Design Technology SL course encourages students to examine the material, environmental, social, political, and economic factors that influence design decisions. It fosters critical engagement with technology and emphasizes the designer’s role in creating sustainable and inclusive solutions for both local and global communities.
The course is grounded in an inquiry-driven approach that integrates theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and ethical design principles within real-world contexts. Design thinking is central to the learning experience, encompassing user empathy, ideation, prototyping, testing, and iterative development based on stakeholder feedback. Students are expected to engage with clients or user groups to identify needs, develop and test solutions, and evaluate outcomes.

Part 2, students complete an individual design project focused on a real-world design challenge. This includes detailed user research, modelling, prototyping, performance testing, and evaluation. Students document their process in a design portfolio aligned with the IB Design Process. The learning is hands-on, reflective, and iterative, supporting the development of creative, analytical, and ethically minded designers.