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DESIGN // GRADE 8 //
Unit Overview.
Unit Overview.
In this Grade 8 MYP Design unit, students will investigate how thoughtfully crafted storage solutions can enhance organization, personal expression, and daily life. The unit centers on the creation of a stylish box using teak, leather features, and laser-cut engraving, encouraging students to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
Through the design cycle, students will explore client needs, examine material properties, and apply design thinking to develop functional yet aesthetically striking storage products. Learners will consider how their choices impact durability, usability, and personalization, while reflecting on issues such as sustainable sourcing, cultural influences on design, and safety in the workshop.
The project challenges students to create innovative boxes that serve a specific client and need, showcasing both their technical skills and creative vision.
// STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
// STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Craftsmanship and creativity combine to produce functional and aesthetic products, using traditional and modern materials and techniques.
// KEY CONCEPT
// KEY CONCEPT
Development
// RELATED CONCEPTS
// RELATED CONCEPTS
Form, Function, Resources
// GLOBAL CONTEXT
// GLOBAL CONTEXT
Personal and cultural expression
Artistry, craft, creation, beauty
// FACTUAL QUESTIONS
// FACTUAL QUESTIONS
What are the properties of wood and leather?
What tools are used to work with wood and leather?
// CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS
// CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS
How do craftsmanship and material choice affect product function and aesthetics?
// DEBATABLE QUESTIONS
// DEBATABLE QUESTIONS
Should traditional techniques be replaced by modern technology in design?
The Challenge.
The Challenge.
You are a designer tasked with creating a stylish storage solution for a client with a unique need. Identify your client and what they need to store. Your mission: Design and build a wooden box featuring functional and/or decorative leather elements that not only serves its purpose, but does so with flair!
Assessment.
Assessment.
B. DEVELOPING IDEAS
B. DEVELOPING IDEAS
For Criterion B, your task is to work through the strands and produce detailed planning drawings.
B1. DEVELOP A DESIGN SPECIFICATION
B1. DEVELOP A DESIGN SPECIFICATION
What to do: Create a comprehensive list of design specifications that clearly explain the success criteria for your stylish storage box solution. These should be based on the design brief you've selected.
How to achieve 7–8:
Write detailed, clear, and measurable specifications (e.g., “The box must have a minimum of two compartments,” “The lid will feature laser-engraved custom client artwork,” “The leather straps must secure the box for safe transport,” “Teak will be the primary material for all sides,” etc.).
For each specification, explain why it is important and how it will help solve your client’s specific storage problem.
B2. DEVELOP DESIGN IDEAS
B2. DEVELOP DESIGN IDEAS
What to do: Produce several different design ideas for your storage box, each with clear, detailed sketches. Your sketches must address the following categories:
Box Layouts: Show different possible arrangements and shapes for your box (e.g., rectangular, square, with a sliding lid, hinged lid, compartments, stacking).
Leather Features: Sketch specific ways leather is used (handles, straps, hinges, tool holders, interior lining).
Laser Engraving: Clearly indicate designs for engravings (personalisation, decorative borders, motifs, names/logos).
Additional Storage Features: Include features like dividers, lock mechanisms, removable trays.
Materials & Construction Techniques: Illustrate how you will use teak and how leather will be attached (e.g., screws, glue, rivets, stitching).
How to achieve 7–8:
Present at least three distinct design ideas, each with labeled, detailed sketches covering all five categories above.
Annotate your sketches thoroughly—explain each part, its function, and why you included it (“Leather handle improves comfort for carrying; laser-engraved lid personalises the design for the client”).
Ensure your ideas are realistic, creative, and possible to build with the available time and materials.
Your sketches and annotations should be so clear that someone else could understand and potentially construct your design.
B3. PRESENT THE CHOSEN DESIGN
B3. PRESENT THE CHOSEN DESIGN
What to do: Select the best ideas from your sketches and present it clearly.
How to achieve 7–8:
Present your chosen direction with a detailed drawing (see B4 below).
Fully and critically justify why you selected this design over the others, using detailed reference to your design specifications (e.g., “This design provides the most secure storage for jewelry, uses teak for strength, includes the client’s requested engraving, and its features are feasible with our class tools”).
Explain the strengths and any possible weaknesses of your chosen design and how it best meets the needs of your client and project goals.
B4. DEVELOP PLANNING DRAWINGS
B4. DEVELOP PLANNING DRAWINGS
What to do: Produce a final, accurate, and detailed drawing or diagram of your chosen box design, including all necessary information for construction.
How to achieve 7–8:
Your final drawing must include:
Precise measurements for all key parts (lengths, widths, heights, thickness).
Labels for all box features, leather elements, and laser engravings.
Clear indication of materials and construction techniques to be used (teak thickness, glue type, screw placement, leather attachment method).
The drawing should be neat, easy to read, and detailed enough that someone else could build your design without needing further explanation.
Criterion
Criterion
B
B
1-2
3-4
5-6
7
8
(3 or more of)
i.
i.
i. lists a few basic success criteria for the design of a solution
lists simple requirements for the storage box (for example, just size or using teak).
i. constructs a list of the success criteria for the design of a solution
constructs a basic list of specifications, covering some aspects like size, materials (teak, leather), or basic features, but they may not clearly connect to client needs or prior research.
i. develops design specifications, which identify the success criteria for the design of a solution
develops a clear and detailed design specification with several specific requirements (e.g., box dimensions, number of compartments, use of leather features, inclusion of laser engraving, methods of attachment), based on research, client needs, and the design brief.
i. develops a design specification which outlines the success criteria for the design of a solution based on the data collected
develops a thorough and well-justified set of design specifications, showing strong connections to research, client needs, and the design brief which considers all necessary features for success, such as safety, durability, style, functionality, and personalization through laser engraving and leather work.
ii.
ii.
ii. presents one design idea, which can be interpreted by others
presents one or two simple ideas for the box with limited detail or variation.
ii. presents a few feasible design ideas, using an appropriate medium(s) or explains key features, which can be interpreted by others
presents a few different ideas (at least two) with basic sketches and some attempts at varying layout or leather/engraved features.
ii. presents a range of feasible design ideas, using an appropriate medium(s) and explains key features, which can be interpreted by others
presents several (three or more) thoughtful design ideas for the box, showing different layouts, leather integrations, and engraving concepts, explaining how each idea fits the design specification.
ii. presents a range of feasible design ideas, using an appropriate medium(s) and annotation, which can be correctly interpreted by others
presents a range (three or more) of creative and varied box ideas, where each idea clearly shows different layouts, leather features, engraving, and internal compartments and explains through detailed annotations how each idea meets the specification and the client's needs.
iii.
iii.
iii. outlines the main reasons for choosing the design with reference to the design specification
outlines the chosen design with a more detailed sketch and explains why it was selected, providing a basic reference to the specification.
iii. presents the chosen design and outlines the main reasons for its selection with reference to the design specification
presents the final box design using a clear, detailed drawing and outlines how it best matches the specification and client needs, and why it was chosen over other ideas.
iii. presents the chosen design and outlines the reasons for its selection with reference to the design specification
presents a well-developed and detailed chosen box design, with a high-quality drawing that closely matches the specification, outlining the reasons for this choice, including how it satisfies all client needs, design requirements, and project goals as identified in Criterion A and B1.
iv.
iv.
iv. creates incomplete planning drawings/diagrams
creates a very simple final drawing or diagram for the box, with only basic features (outline, basic shape).
iv. creates planning drawings/diagrams or lists requirements for the chosen solution
creates a clearer final drawing, listing most key details like main materials and some features, but is missing or unclear about important elements (e.g., how leather is attached, where engraving goes).
iv. develops accurate planning drawings/diagrams and lists requirements for the creation of the chosen solution
develops a final drawing or diagram with all major features from the specification and chosen idea, presented clearly with measurements, labels, and material indications.
iv. develops accurate planning drawings/diagrams and outlines requirements for the creation of the chosen solution
develops a high-quality, detailed final drawing or diagram showing all features from the design specification and chosen design, which is clear, accurately measured, fully labeled, and ready to guide construction.
Criterion
Criterion
C
C
C1: CONSTRUCT A LOGICAL PLAN
C1: CONSTRUCT A LOGICAL PLAN
What to do: Create a clear, step-by-step plan for building your stylish storage box. Your plan should include all major tasks (such as material selection, measurements, cutting, assembly, leather work, engraving, finishing), a realistic timeline, resources or tools needed for each step, and who will carry out each task if working in a group.
How to achieve 7–8:
Using GANTT chart format, produce a detailed, logical, and sequenced plan covering every step from preparation to finishing.
Include accurate time estimates, tools/materials needed, and safety considerations for each step.
Show logical relationships between steps (which tasks must be done before others), and ensure the plan is practical and achievable.
Present your plan clearly so that someone else could follow it without needing further explanation.
C2: DEMONSTRATE TECHNICAL SKILLS
C2: DEMONSTRATE TECHNICAL SKILLS
What to do: Show your ability to use a variety of tools and techniques effectively and safely while making your box (e.g., measuring, sawing, assembling, attaching leather, using the laser cutter, finishing surfaces).
How to achieve 7–8:
Demonstrate confident, accurate, and safe use of all relevant tools and equipment.
Show high-quality craftsmanship throughout construction (precise measurements, clean joins, neat leather work, careful engraving).
Provide clear evidence of your technical skills by documenting your process with thorough photos, videos, or annotated process journal entries.
C3: FOLLOW THE PLAN TO MAKE THE SOLUTION
C3: FOLLOW THE PLAN TO MAKE THE SOLUTION
What to do: Construct your stylish storage box using your detailed plan as a guide. Carefully complete each step, and refer to your plan throughout the process.
How to achieve 7–8:
Follow your plan methodically, completing tasks in the sequence you outlined.
Check off steps as they are completed, and show evidence that your work matches the order and instructions in your plan.
Make sure your final outcome reflects the specifications and features described in your chosen design and plan.
C4: JUSTIFY CHANGES MADE TO THE DESIGN
C4: JUSTIFY CHANGES MADE TO THE DESIGN
What to do: If any changes are made to your design AND plan during construction (whether by choice or due to challenges), clearly identify and explain those changes.
How to achieve 7–8:
Identify every significant change or adjustment from your original plan AND design.
Provide specific, thoughtful explanations for why changes were necessary (e.g., problem-solving, improvement, safety, limited materials).
Explain how each change impacted your final product—positively and/or negatively—and reflect on the effectiveness of your solutions.
1-2
3-4
5-6
7
8
(3 or more of)
i.
i.
i. outlines each step in a plan that contains some details, resulting in peers having difficulty following the plan to create the solution
outlines a basic plan with several steps; some steps are detailed and in a sensible order, but important details or materials/timing may be missing.
i. constructs a plan, which considers time and resources, sufficient for peers to be able to follow to create the solution
constructs a clear and logical plan with most steps included, generally in a sensible order, with reasonable details, such as tools/materials and helpful time estimates.
i. constructs a logical plan, which outlines the efficient use of time and resources, sufficient for peers to be able to follow to create the solution
constructs a comprehensive, logically sequenced plan with all steps needed to successfully build the storage box, clearly detailing tools, materials, accurate time estimates, and safety considerations for each step. The plan is practical and easy to follow, showing clear links to the design and materials.
ii.
ii.
ii. demonstrates minimal technical skills when making the solution
demonstrates very basic technical skills, with limited evidence of safe or accurate use of tools and materials.
ii. demonstrates satisfactory technical skills when making the solution
demonstrates basic use of some tools and techniques, showing some safe practices, but quality of work or finish is inconsistent.
ii. demonstrates competent technical skills when making the solution
demonstrates confident and mostly accurate use of a variety of relevant tools (e.g., measuring, sawing, assembly, leatherwork, laser engraving) and techniques, clearly evidenced in documentation.
ii. demonstrates excellent technical skills when making the solution
demonstrates a high level of technical skill and craftsmanship throughout the construction process, including precise measuring, clean assembly, expertly integrated leather features, and skillful laser engraving. Safe and effective use of all tools and equipment is consistently evident.
iii.
iii.
iii. creates the solution, which functions poorly and is presented in an incomplete form
creates a product that may not match the plan often skipping steps or working out of sequence.
iii. creates the solution, which partially functions and is adequately presented
creates the solution by following some aspects of the plan, but shows inconsistencies or misses important details. The final box has some features planned, but with noticeable changes or omissions.
iii. creates the solution, which functions as intended and is presented appropriately
creates the solution by following the plan with reasonable accuracy and sequence. Most steps are completed as planned, and the final box closely matches the specifications and design ideas outlined.
iii. follows the plan to create the solution, which functions as intended and is presented appropriately
follows the plan carefully and consistently throughout all stages to create the box. Documents progress against the plan (e.g., checks off or notes steps completed). The final product strongly reflects the planned features and details.
iv.
iv.
iv. outlines changes made to the chosen design or plan when making the solution
outlines some changes made to the design or plan during construction, but explanations lack detail or clear reasoning.
iv. outlines changes made to the chosen design and plan when making the solution
outlines most significant changes made to the design and plan, giving clear reasons and describing how these affected the outcome.
iv. explains changes made to the chosen design and plan when making the solution
explains all major changes made to the design and plan while constructing the solution. Provides detailed reasoning linked to design specifications, problem-solving, client needs, materials, or safety. Reflects on how each change improved or impacted the finished box.
Resources.
Resources.
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