Product Design
An A Level in Product Design will give you the opportunity to develop your creativity supported by teachers who have experience in all areas of technology. You will be encouraged to investigate a range of techniques and materials to develop original and creative designs to a high standard. Through analysis and problem solving, the Product Design A-level will give you the skills and abilities to become an innovator of the 21st century!
Assessed coursework will consist of a single major design and making project that will be worth 50% of your final grade. The other 50% of your grade will derive from a single written examination paper of 2 hours and 30 minutes in length taken at the end of Year 13. You have the opportunity to work in both 2D and 3D materials using the full range of workshop equipment to explore your creativity and produce technological design solutions
POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS:
- Product Design
- Illustration
- Advertising
- Product Packaging
- Marketing
- Architectural Model Making
- Special Effects
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ASSESSMENT
UNIT 1 - Subject knowledge: During this unit you will support your coursework and prepare for the final exam taken at the end of the course by strengthening your knowledge of materials and industrial manufacturing processes. Workshop-based tasks will provide you with practical experience to apply to your theory knowledge.
UNIT 2 – .Coursework - Major project part 1: During this unit you will begin your project by identifying your own design problem and context and client for your coursework and commence working to produce research and ideas leading to the production of initial prototypes.
UNIT 3 – Focused design project: This unit will see you produce a small scale product design based around an electronic circuit and will focus on developing an iterative design process with plenty of practical time in the workshop. You produce a final working prototype that will be supported by a condensed project design folio.
UNIT 4 - Subject knowledge: During this unit the remaining aspects of the exam syllabus will be covered including industrial practices, the effects of technological developments and designing for the cleaner environment. All aspects of the course will be reviewed in preparation for the final exam at the end of the course.
UNIT 5 - Coursework - Major project part 2: This year will be about consolidating the project work that you have carried out so far using an iterative design process to refine your ideas into a final prototype. This will be supported by a folio detailing the design process you have taken.