IEB Design Final Exam Questions &
Answers 2025/2026
Linear design process - ANSWERSprocess where each phase follows a specific sequence without
revisitation
Cyclical design process - ANSWERSrepeating phases, allowing for continuous improvement
based off feedback
Ideation phase - ANSWERSInterpret/Rationale: summary of brief interpretation, how arrived at
design solution
Identify: initial response to theme
Research: existing examples
Analyse: issues related to brief
Concept phase - ANSWERSMoodboard
Brainstorm: thumbnails
Evaluation: concepts
Selection: final
Development phase - ANSWERSExploration: materials, styles, forms etc
Maquettes: prototype
Sample board: Define final materials, textures etc.
Final working drawings: technical layouts, detailed and measured
,Production phase - ANSWERSPlanning: progression timeline and record of used materials and
tools
Documentation: photographs of process
Exhibition phase - ANSWERSFinal product in context: branding and promotion
• logos, packaging, ads, success review
Definition of Design - ANSWERSTo create a detailed plan of a structure, focusing on appearance,
convenience and functioning
To invent something in a skillful way for a particular purpose
Main categories of design - ANSWERSVisual communication, surface design, product design,
environmental design
Signs - ANSWERSobject, quality or event whose presence indicates probable presence of
something else
Symbols - ANSWERSmark, sign or word that indicates an idea, object or relationship through
linkages
• e.g the Nike symbol
Pictogram - ANSWERSpicture that represents a word or idea, images used to represent data (aka
icon)
• Gives snapshot of quantity and volume in an impactful way
Ideograms - ANSWERScharacter symbolising the idea of a thing without indicating sounds used
Typography - ANSWERSconsists of fonts, send out a message and emotive feel to the piece
, Typography: size - ANSWERSbest used in contrast, creates a feeling of dynamism
Typography: kerning - ANSWERSAdjust space between individual letters
Typography: leading - ANSWERSAdjusting the space between lines of text, large (elegance) and
little (rebellious)
Typography: capitalisation - ANSWERSlowercase is friendlier, say more with less, all-caps adds
emphasis
Typography: colour - ANSWERSpsychological impact, real-life experiences and cultural colour
symbolism
Metaphors - ANSWERSexpresses a literary, visual or cultural message
Allegory - ANSWERSsymbolic representation of a moral or political concept
Irony - ANSWERSstereotypic, twist in language implying the opposite of what is said
Parody - ANSWERSmock, comment or poke fun at an original work by means of imitation
Types of line - ANSWERSActual lines
• Outlines: boundaries shaping form
• Contour lines: describes edges of form, no shading
• Modelled lines: different types of line used to suggest roundness, used with shading
Edges: point where 1 form meets another, line impression
Answers 2025/2026
Linear design process - ANSWERSprocess where each phase follows a specific sequence without
revisitation
Cyclical design process - ANSWERSrepeating phases, allowing for continuous improvement
based off feedback
Ideation phase - ANSWERSInterpret/Rationale: summary of brief interpretation, how arrived at
design solution
Identify: initial response to theme
Research: existing examples
Analyse: issues related to brief
Concept phase - ANSWERSMoodboard
Brainstorm: thumbnails
Evaluation: concepts
Selection: final
Development phase - ANSWERSExploration: materials, styles, forms etc
Maquettes: prototype
Sample board: Define final materials, textures etc.
Final working drawings: technical layouts, detailed and measured
,Production phase - ANSWERSPlanning: progression timeline and record of used materials and
tools
Documentation: photographs of process
Exhibition phase - ANSWERSFinal product in context: branding and promotion
• logos, packaging, ads, success review
Definition of Design - ANSWERSTo create a detailed plan of a structure, focusing on appearance,
convenience and functioning
To invent something in a skillful way for a particular purpose
Main categories of design - ANSWERSVisual communication, surface design, product design,
environmental design
Signs - ANSWERSobject, quality or event whose presence indicates probable presence of
something else
Symbols - ANSWERSmark, sign or word that indicates an idea, object or relationship through
linkages
• e.g the Nike symbol
Pictogram - ANSWERSpicture that represents a word or idea, images used to represent data (aka
icon)
• Gives snapshot of quantity and volume in an impactful way
Ideograms - ANSWERScharacter symbolising the idea of a thing without indicating sounds used
Typography - ANSWERSconsists of fonts, send out a message and emotive feel to the piece
, Typography: size - ANSWERSbest used in contrast, creates a feeling of dynamism
Typography: kerning - ANSWERSAdjust space between individual letters
Typography: leading - ANSWERSAdjusting the space between lines of text, large (elegance) and
little (rebellious)
Typography: capitalisation - ANSWERSlowercase is friendlier, say more with less, all-caps adds
emphasis
Typography: colour - ANSWERSpsychological impact, real-life experiences and cultural colour
symbolism
Metaphors - ANSWERSexpresses a literary, visual or cultural message
Allegory - ANSWERSsymbolic representation of a moral or political concept
Irony - ANSWERSstereotypic, twist in language implying the opposite of what is said
Parody - ANSWERSmock, comment or poke fun at an original work by means of imitation
Types of line - ANSWERSActual lines
• Outlines: boundaries shaping form
• Contour lines: describes edges of form, no shading
• Modelled lines: different types of line used to suggest roundness, used with shading
Edges: point where 1 form meets another, line impression
