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Design and TechnologyQ&A by dot point
A short Q&A bank for every Singapore Design and Technology syllabus dot point. Each question and answer is drawn directly from our worked dot-point page, so you can scan key concepts before opening the long-form answer.
Design Communication and Sketching
- Use freehand pictorial sketching techniques such as crating and isometric guidelines to communicate ideas in three dimensions8Q&A pairs
- Render a design using tone, colour and texture, and present it clearly to communicate the finished idea8Q&A pairs
- Produce a working drawing with views and dimensions, using a sensible scale so the product can be made6Q&A pairs
Idea Generation and Development
- Select the most suitable idea against the specification and develop it through stages, justifying each improvement8Q&A pairs
- Generate a range of different initial ideas in response to a specification, using techniques such as brainstorming and thumbnail sketches6Q&A pairs
- Make models and prototypes from quick materials to test ideas in three dimensions and inform the final design7Q&A pairs
Materials and Their Properties
- Select an appropriate material for a product by matching its properties to the requirements of the specification, considering cost and availability5Q&A pairs
- Identify the main types of metal (ferrous, non-ferrous and alloys) and describe their properties and uses4Q&A pairs
- Identify the main types of plastic (thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics) and describe their properties and uses5Q&A pairs
- Identify the main types of wood (hardwoods, softwoods and manufactured boards) and describe their properties and uses5Q&A pairs
Mechanisms and Structures
- Describe how gears, pulleys and belts transmit motion, and calculate gear ratios to find changes in speed6Q&A pairs
- Describe the three classes of lever and use the principle of moments to calculate the turning effect of a force7Q&A pairs
- Describe how structures resist forces and stay stable, using techniques such as triangulation and a low, wide base5Q&A pairs
Product Evaluation
- Evaluate a product for its impact on the environment and society, using ideas such as the 6 Rs and material life cycle6Q&A pairs
- Test a finished product against each point of the specification and record clear pass or fail results9Q&A pairs
- Gather feedback from users on a finished product and use it to suggest realistic improvements5Q&A pairs
Research and Investigation
- Analyse a design situation to identify the key problems, the people affected, and the questions research must answer6Q&A pairs
- Carry out a product analysis of an existing product, examining its function, materials, construction and user experience to inform your design6Q&A pairs
- Plan and carry out user and market research using methods such as surveys, interviews and observation, and use the findings to inform the design7Q&A pairs
The Design Process
- Write a design specification as a list of clear, measurable requirements drawn from research, and use it to guide and later test the design5Q&A pairs
- Describe the stages of the design process from a design situation to a finished product, and explain why the process is a loop rather than a straight line3Q&A pairs
- Write a clear design brief from a given design situation, stating the problem, the intended user and the purpose of the product4Q&A pairs
Tools, Processes and Fabrication
- Select and use appropriate tools and processes to cut and shape woods, metals and plastics safely6Q&A pairs
- Apply suitable finishes to woods, metals and plastics to protect the material and improve appearance4Q&A pairs
- Select and use appropriate methods to join and assemble materials, choosing between permanent and temporary fixings3Q&A pairs
- Mark out and measure a workpiece accurately using tools such as a rule, try square, marking gauge and template5Q&A pairs