Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91356 about?

Accepted Answer

You need to create a detailed design concept for a product or solution that solves a real problem or brief. Your design should show what it looks like, how it works, and explain why it would actually solve the problem you're addressing. You'll need to research existing solutions, test your ideas with models or prototypes, get feedback from people who'd use it, and clearly communicate your final design using sketches, drawings, or descriptions.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91356?

Accepted Answer

1. Generate multiple design ideas based on research into the problem and existing solutions 2. Evaluate your design ideas using evidence like feedback from users, testing with models, and research findings 3. Select your best design idea and present it clearly using appropriate techniques (sketches, drawings, descriptions, scale models, etc.) 4. Explain how well your final design fits the purpose and would actually solve the problem 5. Show your thinking about materials, components, and how your design would work in practice

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91356?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You develop a conceptual design that responds to the brief by generating design ideas informed by research, evaluating them with some evidence, and communicating your final design with an explanation of its fitness for purpose. Merit: You refine your conceptual design through ongoing exploration and evaluation of design ideas, using detailed evidence from research and feedback to justify why your ideas suit the brief. Excellence: You develop a justified conceptual design by synthesizing evidence from multiple sources (research, testing, stakeholder feedback) to demonstrate that your final design has strong potential to meet the brief's purpose.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91356?

Accepted Answer

1. Not doing enough research into the existing solutions or problem context before jumping into design ideas 2. Failing to show evidence of actually testing or evaluating design ideas (through models, user feedback, or functional testing) 3. Presenting a design concept without clearly explaining why it would work or how it solves the problem

Conceptual design

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