Communicating a design: sketches, plans and CAD
An idea in your head is invisible to everyone else. Designers use a toolkit of drawing and digital methods to make it clear enough to build.
Part of your national curriculum
- Design: Develop and communicate design ideas using annotated sketches, detailed plans, mathematical modelling and computer-based tools
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Develop and communicate design ideas using annotated sketches, detailed plans, mathematical modelling and computer-based tools
Key learning points
- • Annotated sketches
- • Detailed plans and modelling
- • Computer-based tools
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Communicating a design: sketches, plans and CAD
An idea in your head is invisible to everyone else. Designers use a toolkit of drawing and digital methods to make it clear enough to build.
In a nutshell
Develop and communicate design ideas using annotated sketches, detailed plans, mathematical modelling and computer-based tools
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Annotated sketches
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Annotated sketches
A quick freehand drawing with notes pointing to materials, dimensions and how parts fit together communicates an idea fast. Annotations answer the questions a viewer would otherwise have to ask, such as 'what is this made from?' or 'how does it move?'
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Detailed plans and modelling
Working drawings show exact measurements, often from more than one angle, so a maker can produce the product accurately. Mathematical modelling — calculating loads, angles or costs — checks that a design will actually work before any material is cut.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Computer-based tools
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Computer-based tools
CAD (computer-aided design) software lets designers build accurate 2D or 3D models, test how parts fit, and send files straight to CAM equipment such as laser cutters or 3D printers, saving time and reducing wasted material.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Mathematical modelling — calculating loads, angles or costs — checks that a ____ will actually work before any material is cut.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
What does an annotated sketch add to a plain drawing?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Communicating a design: sketches, plans and CAD
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What does an annotated sketch add to a plain drawing?
2. Why use mathematical modelling in design?
3. What does CAD stand for?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
Not sat
Games
Not played
Points this lesson
0
Best run
0 in a row
Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
How this is going
- Not looked at yet
Develop and communicate design ideas using annotated sketches, detailed plans, mathematical modelling and computer-based tools