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Year 10

Proportions and scale: textiles

I can determine and justify the size of my design.

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New
New
Year 10

Proportions and scale: textiles

I can determine and justify the size of my design.

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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Design decisions are justified.
  2. Measurements, scale and proportion are design decisions which must be justified.
  3. Designers can work to scale which is calculated.

Keywords

  • Specification - describes what a design must have or do

  • Justification - the reason or explanation for why something is done, or believed to be right

  • Proportion - balanced relationship between different parts

  • Dimensions - the sizes of objects or components

  • Scale - a ratio of full size

Common misconception

All prototypes must be life size.

It is not always possible to manufacture life size prototypes. The space to manufacture and store may be limited plus the materials may be expensive. A smaller scale product saves space and materials but still allows for a product to be manufactured.


To help you plan your year 10 design and technology lesson on: Proportions and scale: textiles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson is the perfect opportunity for students to learn about standardised scales but also to work out the sizes of their own design.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Rulers, scale rulers if available but not essential, paper, pencils

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is AI?
Correct answer: the simulation of human intelligence in machines
the physical components of a computer that process data
a programming language used to build software applications
Q2.
is a tendency to favour or judge something unfairly based on personal beliefs or preferences.
Correct Answer: bias
Q3.
Bias in AI is sometimes called?
Correct answer: algorithm bias
neural bias
data bias
Q4.
Which of the below would be an example of a stereotype?
all dogs need regular exercise
Correct answer: people from Canada are always polite
some people prefer coffee over tea
Q5.
How can AI be used when designing?
by physically assembling prototypes
Correct answer: by helping spark creativity when a designer has design fixation
Correct answer: by helping to iterate ideas by changing details such as materials
by replacing all human designers entirely
Q6.
How could a designer use this AI generated image in their own design work?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: a designer could iterate further ideas having been inspired by this one
a designer could copy this design and claim it as their own idea
a designer could generate this as their only design idea but explain it is AI

4 Questions

Q1.
A design specification can be used to help design decisions.
Correct Answer: justify, justification
Q2.
Does this image show a handle that is or is not in proportion?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: is in proportion
is not in proportion
Q3.
What unit of measurement is most often used when working out dimensions?
inches
Correct answer: millimetres
centimetres
metres
Q4.
Why might a prototype not be made to full scale?
Correct answer: lack of manufacturing and storage space
to test durability
the designer prefers working with smaller models
Correct answer: cost of materials