Design and Manufacture - Higher

Vale of Leven Academy

The course has two areas of study:

Design

Candidates study the design process from brief to design proposal. This helps them to develop skills in initiating, developing, articulating and communicating design proposals. Candidates explore and refine design proposals using the design/make/test process and by applying knowledge of materials, processes and design factors to reach a viable solution. This helps them to develop an understanding of the iterative nature of the design process. Candidates also develop an understanding of the factors that influence the design, marketing and use of commercial products.

Manufacture

Candidates study the manufacture of commercial products. They develop knowledge of materials, manufacturing and production processes and strengthen their understanding of how these influence the design of products. This provides candidates with the knowledge and understanding required to develop a viable design proposal for a commercial product and to plan its production. Integrating the two areas of study is fundamental to delivering the course successfully. It helps candidates to understand the relationship between designing products and manufacturing products and it helps them to see how this connection influences a product’s lifecycle. By combining the study of design with the study of manufacturing, candidates also learn to appreciate the impact design and manufacturing technologies have on society, the environment and the world of work.

Question paper 80 marks

The question paper has 80 marks out of a total of 170 marks for the course assessment. It assesses knowledge and understanding from the following areas of design and manufacturing:

• design
• materials and manufacture
• impact of design and manufacturing technologies on society, the environment, and the world of work

The question paper has two sections:

Section 1 has 25 marks and consists of a single question based on the design and manufacture of two similar products. The question focuses on design factors and the justification of materials and manufacturing processes used in their commercial manufacture. It follows a similar format each year and gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate:

• knowledge and understanding of how products are influenced by materials and processes
• knowledge of how products are influenced by design factors The question requires candidates to give reasoned responses to a range of question types.

Section 2 has 55 marks and consists of six or seven questions that focus on the design and manufacture of commercial products and the impact design and manufacturing technologies have on society, the environment and the world of work. The questions require candidates to use integration of knowledge and understanding from across the course.

Assignment 90 marks

The assignment has 90 marks out of a total of 170 marks for the course assessment. The assignment assesses the ability of candidates to apply design skills to develop a proposal according to a set brief. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate the skills as listed in the ‘Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course assessment’ table in the course specification document.

Marks are awarded in the following areas:

• carrying out research
• producing a specification
• generating initial ideas
• exploring ideas
• refining ideas
• applying knowledge and understanding of materials and assembly processes
• applying knowledge and understanding of design
• applying graphic techniques
• demonstrating practical modelling skills
• producing a plan for commercial manufacture
• applying modelling techniques 8 marks Candidates should be fully prepared before undertaking the assignment — they should have gained the design skills required and be aware of the requirements of the assessment.