N4/5 Design & Manufacture

Course Descriptor

Design plays a vital role within our world and the products we use on a daily basis to make our lives easier.

This course is practical, exploratory and experimental in nature to harness and further develop knowledge from S1-S3.  Learners have the opportunity to be creative and inventive in providing design solutions that have considered the life cycle of a product from its inception through design, manufacture and use, including its disposal or re-use.

The course allows learners to engage with and to consider the impact that design & manufacturing technologies have on our environment.

The aim of the course is to enable learners to develop:

• Knowledge of design factors such as Aesthetics, function, economics and the environment.

• The ability to read drawings/diagrams and communicate design ideas.

• Skills in being creative in designing and manufacturing models, prototypes and products.

• Knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes and of materials.

Course structure:  At National 5 level the course consists of 2 units, Design and Materials and Manufacturing and a course assignment worth 60% of the overall mark. A final exam is combined to give an overall grade, graded A-D. To pass at this level, both units and a successful combined result in the assignment and exam is required. However units are awarded individually.            

Progression:  Design and Manufacture at National level provides a foundation for those considering further study at Higher level or a career in design, manufacturing, engineering, science, marketing and other related disciplines.

Leads On To:

This course will prepare pupils to undertake the following courses:

​Higher Design and Manufacture​

N4/5 Practical Woodworking

N5 Practical Metalworking