THE TEAM

Mr T Miller	Headteacher and Teacher of Design Technology
Miss M Basnett	Teacher of Design Technology
Mr A Goncalves	Teacher of Design Technology

INTRODUCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT

Design, develop, and make innovative solutions for everyday products. You will study a combination of resistant materials, systems and control and graphics.

Product Design is a suitable option for those wishing to pursue careers in design, architecture, fashion, electronics, engineering and interior design. You will study everyday products and what influences design.

Using this information as inspiration you will design your own products. Through making and modelling you will develop your practical skills. You will design using a range of new technologies including computer-aided design and manufacture.

WHY STUDY PRODUCT DESIGN?

Product Design is an exciting and challenging course that offers you the opportunity to study, design, develop and make innovative solutions for everyday products. You will study a combination of Resistant Materials, Systems and Control and Graphics. You will study everyday products and what influences design. Using this information as inspiration you will design your own products. Through making and modelling you will develop your practical skills. You will design using a range of new technologies including computer-aided design and manufacture.

FUTURE ACADEMIC AND CAREER PATHWAYS

Product Design is a suitable option for those wishing to pursue careers in design, architecture, fashion, electronics, engineering and interior design.

COURSE CONTENT

Students will be studying the AQA syllabus.

The course has a practical focus, with a significant amount of the lesson time spent completing practical work, designing, testing and investigating different products. This is supported by the in-depth theory work completed both in class and in the student’s own time.

ASSESSMENT

Paper 1: Technical principles – written exam, 2 hours and 30 minutes, 30% of A Level. A mixture of short and

extended answer questions.

Paper 2: Designing and making principles – written exam, 1 hour and 30 minutes, 20% of A Level. A mixture of short and extended answer questions.

Non-examination Assessment: A substantial design and make project is 50% of A Level.

EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

Students may have the opportunity to visit Ikea, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Warner Brothers Studios, Landrover/Jaguar and The Design Museum to consider past and present designs and the design process.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Ideally, students will have attained a grade 5 in GCSE Design and Technology. However, if students have not completed a Design Technology GCSE, it may still be possible for them to take the A Level if they are prepared to complete some summer work before the start of the course. Students need to be able to think laterally and apply their knowledge in new situations.