Product Design (Design and Technology)
Product design is all about focussing on the human needs of the world we live in and creating imaginative products for the 21st century. You will work in 2D and 3D using an iterative design cycle of ‘design-make-evaluate’. You will develop your creativity, research and problem solving skills to design and make products for the modern world.
You will also study the materials and processes used in manufacturing and develop knowledge through the analysis of the everyday products that surround us.
Assessment
Students will follow a two-year course that will involve producing a final product and accompanying portfolio for their controlled assessment that will contribute to 50% of their grade. All work, with the exception of research and preparation, will be carried out under informal supervision. Research and preparation can be completed under limited supervision.
Students need to complete their designing and making within 40 hours of informal supervision.
They will also sit at the end of Year 11 a written examination that will contribute to 50% of the final grade. The unit is assessed through an examination paper set and marked by AQA.
The examination paper will consist of design, short-answer and extended-writing questions.
Other Information
During the two-year course students will develop knowledge and understanding of a wide range of materials, tools, equipment, processes, sustainability and ethical design issues relevant to design and technology. CAD will be used to aid the accurate design and manufacture of product prototypes.
Students will also develop skills of creativity and critical analysis through making links between the principles of good design, existing solutions and technological knowledge.