Section B: Design Brief & Specification
GCSE — 2.2 NEA Guide (Core & In-depth Skills)
Overview
10 marks — AO1 (Assessment Objective 1: Identify, analyse and research)
This section shows you have turned your research into a clear direction and a detailed set of measurable design criteria. Aim for 2 pages.
Where it goes: draft your brief and specification in your informal sketchbook, then put the final versions in your formal presentation folio. They often get refined after you test your initial ideas.
What to include — page by page
Page numbers are a suggested order. WJEC sets no fixed format — see sketchbook and folio.
Page 5: Design brief
The design brief is a short, focused statement of what you intend to design and why.
A strong design brief should:
- Be written after considering multiple problems or opportunities from your research. Refer back to the possible briefs you compared in Section A (Page 4)
- Clearly state who you are designing for (the user/client)
- Clearly state what you are designing
- Explain why there is a need for this product — link back to your research
- Be relevant to the context
Example structure:
Following my research into [context], I have identified that [user group] needs [type of product] because [evidence from research]. I will design and make a prototype [product] that [key purpose].
Avoid vague briefs like “I will make something for people”. Be specific about the user and the need.
Page 6: Specification
The specification is a numbered list of objective, measurable criteria that your prototype must meet. It is based on your research, your brief and the testing of your initial ideas. What your early sketches and card models taught you should show up here.
A strong specification should have 8–12 points covering:
| Category | Example criteria |
|---|---|
| Function | The product must be able to hold at least 500g in weight |
| Form | The product must have a rounded, organic form inspired by the research into [natural example] |
| Size | The product must fit within a 200 × 150 × 100mm space on a desk |
| Ergonomics | The handle diameter must be between 30–40mm to suit average adult grip |
| Aesthetics | The product must appeal to users aged 11–16 and use a modern, minimal style |
| Materials | The product must be made from sustainable or recycled materials where possible |
| Safety | The product must have no sharp edges and comply with relevant safety standards |
| Cost | The prototype must be made for under £20 in materials |
| Sustainability | Materials must be recyclable or biodegradable at end of life |
| User needs | The product must be operable with one hand |
Critical factors: Highlight the 2–3 factors most critical to success, the points your design must meet whatever else happens. These should guide your design decisions in Section C.
Key rule: Every specification point must be testable. Avoid vague points like “it must look nice” — instead write “it must appeal to teenagers, confirmed through user feedback rating of 7/10 or above.”
Marking criteria
Your teacher picks the band that best fits your work. A mark at the top of a band needs all of its descriptors met; missing evidence means a lower mark within the band. See how the marks are awarded.
| Band | Marks | What your work needs to show |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 9–10 | Multiple problems considered before choosing a brief; brief is thorough and research-led; specification has a wide range of objective, measurable criteria |
| 3 | 6–8 | A range of problems considered; brief is relevant and research-linked; specification includes measurable criteria |
| 2 | 3–5 | Some problems considered; brief covers some aspects of the research; specification includes key points |
| 1 | 1–2 | Single opportunity pursued; brief based on simple analysis; few partially appropriate specification points |
Checklist for Band 4
- Showed you considered multiple problems before selecting one for your brief
- Brief is clearly linked to your research and the context
- Brief identifies the user, the product and the reason for it
- Specification has 8–12 points
- Every point is objective and measurable (numbers, specific materials, ratings)
- Specification covers function, form, aesthetics, size, ergonomics, materials, safety and cost
- Factors critical to success identified
- Specification reflects testing of initial ideas, not just research
- Final brief and specification presented in the formal folio
- Specification will be used to test the final prototype in Section E