Audience & Purpose
Cambridge IGCSE ICT — Planning ICT Solutions
The Big Idea: Before you design any ICT solution, you must understand who will use it (audience) and why it exists (purpose), because these two things drive every single design decision you make.
Quick Summary
Here's what you need to know at a glance:
What is Audience?
The specific group of people who will actually use your ICT solution. Not "everyone"—a real, defined group.
What is Purpose?
The reason your solution exists. Why was it created? What problem does it solve?
Why It Matters
Audience and purpose determine everything: design, complexity, features, interface style, even colours.
Five Key Characteristics
Age, Location, Education & technical skill, Interests, Accessibility needs. Learn how each affects design.
What Is Audience & Purpose?
Understanding the Definitions
These two terms form the foundation of any ICT design project. Let's break them down:
Audience (Definition)
The specific group of users who will use your ICT solution. Not "people in general," but a real, defined audience with shared characteristics.
Examples: children aged 7-9, office workers aged 25-45, elderly people aged 65+, teachers in secondary schools, teenagers interested in gaming.
Purpose (Definition)
The reason your solution exists. Why was it created? What problem does it solve? What need does it fulfil?
Examples: to teach children spelling, to help elderly people stay in touch with family, to manage a school's booking system, to track sales data for a business.
Why This Matters: The Design Chain
Here's the thing: once you know your audience and purpose, everything else follows. They determine:
- Interface design — Simple and colourful for children, clean and professional for businesses
- Language & tone — Friendly and informal vs. formal and technical
- Complexity of features — Lots of features for expert users, minimal features for beginners
- Accessibility features — Screen readers for blind users, high contrast for visually impaired users
- Technology choice — A mobile app for on-the-go users, a desktop system for office workers
- Content & examples — References and themes that resonate with your audience
Worked Example: Banking App vs. Educational Game
Scenario A: Banking App for adults
- Audience: Adults aged 25-65
- Purpose: Secure, fast money management
- Design result: Formal, minimalist interface. Fast login (security). Complex features like transfers and investments. No animations or colours.
Scenario B: Educational Game for children
- Audience: Children aged 6-10
What To Memorise