Product Design
Product Design offers a unique opportunity in the curriculum for learners to identify and solve real problems by designing and making products or systems. Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject.
This course encourages learners to use creativity and imagination when applying iterative design processes to develop and modify designs, and to design and make prototypes that solve real world problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants, aspirations and values.
The specification enables learners to identify market needs and opportunities for new products, initiate and develop design solutions, and make and test prototypes. You should acquire subject knowledge in design and technology, including how a product can be developed through the stages of prototyping, realisation and commercial manufacture whilst considering small and large commercial / manufacturing contexts and gain an insight into design and technology activity in the creative industries. Learners should take every opportunity to integrate and apply their understanding and knowledge from other subject areas studied during key stage 4, with a particular focus on science and mathematics, and those subjects they are studying alongside GCE design and technology.
Structure of the course Year 12 AS Unit 1:
Written paper - 1 Written examination:
2 hours 20% of qualification 80 marks
Learners take an examination in either engineering design or product design. The examination includes a mix of structured and extended writing questions assessing learners' knowledge and understanding of technical principles designing and making principles along with their ability to analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.
AS Unit 2: Design and make task Non-exam assessment:
approximately 40 hours, 20% of qualification 80 marks. A design and make task, based on a brief developed by the candidate, assessing the candidate's ability to: identify, investigate and outline design possibilities, design and make prototypes, analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology. The design and make task will be based within the same area as the written examination.
A2 Unit 3: Written paper 2 Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes 30% of qualification 100 marks Learners take a single examination in one of the following endorsed areas: engineering design fashion and textiles product design. The examination includes a mix of structured and extended writing questions assessing learners' knowledge and understanding of: technical principles designing and making principles along with their ability to: analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.
A2 Unit 4: Design and make project Non-exam assessment: approximately 60 hours 30% of qualification 100 marks A sustained design and make project, based on a brief developed by the candidate, assessing the candidate's ability to: identify, investigate and outline design possibilities design and make prototypes analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.
Teacher Profiles
Mr Elson - BEng Motorsport Engineering & Design (Hons); PGCE (QTS) Design & Technology (Secondary).
Mr Davies - BA Industrial Design & Technology (Hons); PGCE (QTS) Design & Technology (Secondary).
Mr Elcock - BA Industrial Design & Technology (Hons); PGCE (QTS) Design & Technology (Secondary).