Week 9 Guide: Concept Development
24-week programme, Project 1 Phase.
The Real Problem This Solves
Ideation gives you options. Development turns one option into something buildable. Beginners either fall in love with a concept and never test its logic, or keep switching concepts and never go deep. This week you choose with reasons and then commit, exploring your concept properly before you prototype.
Key Ideas You Need First
1. Choose against criteria, not taste
Score your shortlisted concepts against the brief: fit to user, feasibility, and how well it answers the problem. The winner should win on evidence, not on which you like most.
2. Develop the logic, not just the looks
A developed concept has answers: how it works, what it is made of, how someone uses it start to finish. Visual language matters, but it follows the logic.
3. Mood boards are a development tool
A concept mood board is not decoration. Use it to decide form, colour, and material direction, so your prototype has a clear look to aim at.
Tools And Materials Needed
- Your Week 8 shortlisted concepts.
- The Concept Development Sheet.
- A layout tool for the mood board.
Step-By-Step Walkthrough
- Score your shortlist. Rate each concept on fit to user, feasibility, and answer to the problem. Choose the strongest and write a one-paragraph rationale.
- Work out the logic. Write how it works, what it is made of, and the full journey of using it.
- Build a concept mood board. Eight to twelve images that set form, colour, and material direction.
- Sketch three visual interpretations. Explore how the concept could look while keeping the logic fixed.
- Write your prototype questions. List the two or three things your prototype must test next week.
Demonstrated Example
Chosen concept: the roll-up desk mat, scored highest on fit to a shared desk and on answering the under a minute problem.
Logic: a flexible mat with fixed pockets for five tools, a stiff edge to stop sliding, and a one-hand fastening; used by laying it flat to start and rolling it in one motion to pack away.
Mood board direction: calm, tidy, workshop feel; one main fabric colour with a single contrast.
Prototype questions: does it pack away in under a minute, do tools stay put, is the fastening fast one-handed.
Why this is strong: the choice is justified, the logic is worked out end to end, and the prototype has clear questions to answer.
Your Task This Week
- Score your shortlist and choose one concept with a written rationale.
- Work out its full logic and build a concept mood board.
- Sketch three visual interpretations and write your prototype questions.
Submission Checklist
| Upload item | Pass standard |
|---|---|
| Concept development sheet | Rationale, logic, and prototype questions all completed. |
| Concept mood board | Sets a clear form, colour, and material direction. |
| Prototype questions | Two or three specific, testable questions. |
Assessment And Pass Criteria
- The concept was chosen against criteria, with a clear rationale.
- The logic is worked out, not just the look.
- The prototype questions are specific and testable.
Common Mistakes
- Choosing on taste alone. Score against the brief.
- Styling before logic. Decide how it works first.
- Vague prototype questions. You cannot test "is it good".
Extension Challenge
Develop a second concept just far enough to compare. Sometimes the runner-up reveals a better detail you can fold into the winner.