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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 sketching techniques, including construction lines, crating and basic proportion, to communicate and develop design ideas quickly2Q&A pairs
- Produce and interpret orthographic drawings using first-angle projection, with front, side and plan views, correct dimensioning and line conventions2Q&A pairs
- Produce isometric and oblique pictorial drawings to show objects in three dimensions, and explain the conventions and uses of each3Q&A pairs
- Use rendering to show material, form and texture, and use annotation to explain design decisions, so that drawings communicate both how a product looks and how it works4Q&A pairs
Idea Generation and Development
- Develop and refine a chosen idea through annotated sketches, modelling and testing, justifying each change against the specification2Q&A pairs
- Use idea-generation techniques such as brainstorming, mind mapping, morphological analysis and SCAMPER to produce a wide range of design ideas5Q&A pairs
- Use models and prototypes, from quick study models to working prototypes, to test ideas in three dimensions and gather evidence for refinement3Q&A pairs
- Evaluate and select the best idea by judging each against the design specification, using methods such as a weighted evaluation matrix4Q&A pairs
Materials and Their Properties
- Define and distinguish mechanical and physical properties of materials, including strength, hardness, toughness, ductility, elasticity and durability, and relate them to design choices2Q&A pairs
- Classify metals as ferrous, non-ferrous and alloys, describe their properties and uses, and explain why alloys are made3Q&A pairs
- Classify plastics as thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics, describe their properties, uses and recyclability, and select a plastic for a given application2Q&A pairs
- Select appropriate materials for a product by balancing functional properties, aesthetics, cost, ease of manufacture and environmental impact, justifying each choice2Q&A pairs
- Classify woods as hardwoods, softwoods and manufactured boards, describe their properties and uses, and select a wood for a given application2Q&A pairs
Mechanisms and Structures
- Describe gear trains, calculate gear ratio and output speed, and explain how gears change speed, torque and direction of rotation5Q&A pairs
- Apply the principle of moments to levers, classify the three orders of lever, and calculate effort, load and mechanical advantage3Q&A pairs
- Describe common linkages, including reverse-motion, push-pull, bell-crank and parallel-motion linkages, and explain how each changes the direction or nature of motion4Q&A pairs
- Describe belt-and-pulley drives, calculate the velocity ratio from pulley diameters, and explain their advantages over gears2Q&A pairs
- Identify struts and ties and the forces in a structure, explain how triangulation and a low centre of gravity give strength and stability, and describe ways to reinforce structures1Q&A pairs
Product Evaluation
- Evaluate a product or prototype systematically against each point of the design specification, reaching evidenced judgements and identifying improvements4Q&A pairs
- Distinguish objective from subjective evaluation, recognise the role of each, and combine measured data with informed opinion to judge a product fairly3Q&A pairs
- Evaluate the environmental impact of a product across its life cycle, applying the 6Rs of sustainable design to reduce that impact3Q&A pairs
- Plan and carry out fair testing of a product and gather user feedback, and use the results as evidence to evaluate and improve the design1Q&A pairs
Research and Investigation
- Apply anthropometric data and ergonomic principles, including the use of percentiles, to size products so they fit and suit their intended users4Q&A pairs
- Distinguish primary from secondary research, select appropriate methods such as interviews, observation, surveys and product study, and turn findings into design requirements4Q&A pairs
- Carry out product analysis of an existing product, examining function, materials, construction, ergonomics, aesthetics and cost, to inform a new design3Q&A pairs
- Write a justified design specification from research findings, covering function, ergonomics, materials, safety, cost and aesthetics, with measurable points where possible2Q&A pairs
The Design Process
- Analyse a design situation to identify the user, the problem and the needs and wants, and distinguish a need from a proposed solution2Q&A pairs
- Describe the stages of the design process from identifying a situation to evaluating a solution, and explain why the process is iterative rather than strictly linear2Q&A pairs
- Write a clear design brief from an analysed situation, and turn research into a measurable design specification against which solutions can be judged2Q&A pairs
- Explain the iterative nature of designing, where evaluation and testing feed back into earlier stages, and describe how each cycle refines a solution1Q&A pairs
Tools, Processes and Fabrication
- Select and use appropriate cutting, shaping and forming processes for woods, metals and plastics, including sawing, drilling, filing and line bending, and work safely2Q&A pairs
- Select and apply appropriate surface finishes to woods, metals and plastics, explaining how finishes protect, improve appearance and suit the material2Q&A pairs
- Select and use appropriate joining methods, including adhesives, mechanical fixings and wood joints, and distinguish permanent from temporary (knock-down) joints4Q&A pairs
- Mark out and measure work accurately using rules, squares, gauges, dividers and templates, and explain why accuracy and datum surfaces matter3Q&A pairs