MYP Design Cycle – International Baccalaureate

The MYP Design Cycle is a core component of the Design Thinking approach within the Middle Years Programme (MYP) curriculum. From the moment students enter the MYP, design becomes a key subject that nurtures creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application. Design thinking can help the functions of projects track while also considering the application in the real world. 

Design thinking can be used to solve many problems in life. Then, inside the design cycle, you will find the design cycle. Design cycle can always be applied no matter the size or the complexity of the design project. At BINUS SCHOOL Simprug, students engage with the design cycle across various subjects, supported by mentors and hands-on facilities to ensure practical application of design thinking principles.

What Is the MYP Design Cycle?

The MYP Design Cycle consists of four key stages: Inquiring and Analysing, Developing Ideas, Creating the Solution, and Evaluating. These stages provide a flexible framework that students can revisit at different points in their projects. The four structures are usually not necessary to be completed in order. It is actually encouraged to jump around if needed. 

It does not matter the scope, complexity, or size, this design cycle can be applied always. It lies within the design thinking of the Middle Years Program. 

The Significance of Design in the MYP

It has four steps that are significant. It consists of inquiring and analyzing, developing ideas, creating solutions, and evaluating. 

• Inquiring and Analyzing

In this first stage, designers will need to explain and justify the need for the project. In this step, they will also need to do research, explore any existing products, produce sketches, and make a design brief. This will help to identify if any materials are needed and what the design will be. 

• Developing Ideas

The next step is developing ideas. This step is more sophisticated. The step happens when the students make any design specifications, make sure how many of the materials are needed, and then estimate the time they will need. 

They will as far estimate the details of color and scale. In this step, the sketch from the previous stage will become a blueprint with more precise details and measurements. 

• Creating Solution

The next stage is creating the solution. In these steps technical skills will be used to make sure it will follow the plan and make a solution. In this stage, students will need to make their ideas from the paper become real with the physical materials provided. 

In this stage, the students can be more open to change. They can try to think on the spot and not be burdened by their design. Testing will occur in these stages. If there are any obstacles, then they can change it to optimize and improve the original design. This dynamic process encourages students to innovate and reflect a skill actively fostered in BINUS SCHOOL Simprug’s MYP Design course, preparing them for real-world creative challenges.

• Evaluating

The next step is the evaluation. This is when they will develop testing methods. This stage enables students to assess the effectiveness of their solutions and identify areas for refinement. At BINUS SCHOOL Simprug, students are taught to reflect critically and continuously improve their work.

How is Design Structured in the MYP? 

The Middle Years Program or MYP uses the design cycle to structure with steps like inquiry and analysis, developing ideas,  creation of the solution, and evaluation. It will help the students to evaluate and test the students’ model prototypes, products, or systems. 

How is the design structured in the MYP? The design courses of the MYP are offered as:

• A distinct digital course or product design course. 
• A series of distinct digital course and product design courses. 
• A single course that combines product design and digital. 

Aims of Design Course in the MYP

MYP design cycle in MYP courses will help students to challenge themselves so they can apply practical and creative thinking to solve any problem in the design. It will also help students to raise awareness of their responsibilities when making decisions for their design. 

The aim of the MYP design is to:

• Encourage students to enjoy the design process and appreciate it. 
• Encourage students to develop knowledge and create solutions to the problems. 
• Help students to apply technology effectively. 
• Develop an appreciation for other’s points of view and act with more integrity and honesty for their actions. 
• Develop an appreciation for design innovations. 

Curriculum Overview of Design Course

The MYP curriculum will develop conceptual understanding in the global context. The key concepts lime communication, communities, development, and systems are broadly framed in the curriculum. Related concepts like adaptation, ergonomics, sustainability, and innovation are promoted in this curriculum. 

Students will learn key and related concepts using MYP global contexts such as:

• Scientific and technical innovation
• Globalization and sustainability
• Identities and relationships
• Orientation in space and time
• Personal and cultural expression
• Fairness and development

MYP curriculum offers a curriculum that will meet the local and national curriculum requirements. MYP curriculum requires 50 hours of teaching time for each of the subjects each year.

Assessment Criteria of MYP Design

Each of the designs will be objected to by the assessment criteria. Each criterion has eight achievement levels. Curious how these criteria are implemented in class? Explore how BINUS SCHOOL Simprug guides MYP learners to master design through real-world projects and authentic assessment methods.

• Criteria A: Inquiring and Analyzing

Students will be presented with a design situation that needs to be solved. They will analyze the need for a solution. 

• Criteria B: Developing Ideas

Students need to write detailed specifications that will help the development of the solution and then present the solution. 

• Criteria C: Creating the Solution

Students will need to plan the creation of the solution and follow the plan to create prototypes. 

• Criteria D: Evaluating

Designs from the students will be tested to evaluate the solution.  Students will identify any improvement needed for the solution.

MYP Design Cycle

The IB Middle Years Programme is designed for students from ages 11 to 16. It will provide a framework of learning that will try to emphasize intellectual challenge. It will also encourage connections between studies in traditional subjects and the real world. 

The MYP will focus on learning through systematic development approaches to learning skills for collaboration, communication, self-management, reflection, research, media literacy, information literacy, creative and critical thinking, and also transfer of learning. 

It will also use intercultural understanding and global engagement which are important for today’s young generations. The curriculum will address the development that students need for academic study in the future. MYP will use concepts and also contexts as a starting point so it will give meaningful integration and transfer knowledge across the subjects. 

Conclusion

The MYP Design Cycle is a fundamental part of the Middle Years Programme that equips students with the tools to transform ideas into functional designs. Interested in learning more about how BINUS SCHOOL Simprug implements this framework? Visit our website or book a school tour today.