Design & Technology: Product Design A Level

A minimum of 4 subjects at grade 5 or above at GCSE plus English Language at grade 4 and Maths at grade 5 or above on the Higher Paper. You should also have a creative GCSE such as Product Design, Design Technology or Art & Design.
 

For both years the component work is tailored to ‘Product Design’ from initial design to manufacture and marketing.

Year One

Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology
You will learn about materials, processes and techniques to shape, form, join and manufacture relevant products and components. You will also learn CAD (Computer Aided Design), digital technologies, the effects of technological developments, and the factors which influence the development of a product and design history.

Component 2: Design and Make Project
You will undertake a small scale ‘design, make and evaluate’ project to a given ‘external’ brief from the exam board. Example briefs have been around products which (with sustainable design) promote a healthy lifestyle, independent living or caring for pets and children. A redesign, product improvement, or re-purposing of an existing product will develop your research and analytical skills.

Year Two

Component 1: Principles of Product Design
Analytical 'Product based' exam questions considering usability, materials, manufacturing processes, existing design practices, route to market and sustainability.

Component 2: Problem Solving in Product Design
You will be given a scenario and product where you will need to demonstrate your analytical, problem-solving and evaluative skills in order to redesign and improve the given product.

Component 3: Design and Make Project
You will undertake a substantial ‘design, make and evaluate’ project of your choice, with a ‘real’ client. This requires you to produce a portfolio and a prototype outcome. This will involve justifying the project choice, creating a solution and evaluating the outcome with your ‘real’ client.

In the first year you will also develop your CAD (Computer Aided Design) skills using the Solid Works 3D Computer Aided Design application leading to CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture).

Additional costs
There are a range of useful textbooks and students will be expected to contribute to the material expenses of manufacturing their product.

There is a balance of theory classes and project classes throughout the year.

Assessment takes place in Year Two.

Component 1: Principles of Product Design
This unit is exam assessed.
Component 2: Problem Solving in Product Design
This unit is exam assessed.
Component 3: Design and Make Project
This project requires you to produce a portfolio and 3D prototype outcome. The project is externally moderated and equates to 50% of the final grade.

Other A Levels such as Maths, Physics, Business and Computer Science. Although Art & Design A Levels would complement this subject consideration must be given to the amount of coursework being undertaken.

This course cannot be taken alongside Design & Technology: Engineering as they follow the same specification.

Higher education, in particular any design-related course including product design, engineering disciplines, architecture, animation, graphic design and the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design.