Product Design and Technology

Learning Area Leader: Mr Danckert

Career Paths / Future Directions:

Building Industry, Cabinet Making, Industrial Design, Manufacturing

Unit 1 – Sustainable Product Development (Code: DTPD11)

Description

Students consider the sustainability of an existing product, such as the impact of sourcing materials, manufacture, distribution, use and likely disposal. They consider how a redeveloped product should attempt to solve a problem related to the original product. Where possible, materials and manufacturing processes used should be carefully selected to improve the overall sustainability of the redeveloped product.

Assessment

Learning Activities Include:

• Producing a folio which incorporates all elements of the product design process

• Material Testing / Classification and Research: written report

• Producing a finished product

• Evaluation of the re-designed product and the production activities

• Semester test

Unit 2 – Collaborative Design (Code: DTPD22)

Description

In this unit students work in teams to design and develop an item in a product range or contribute to the design, planning and production of a group product. They focus on factors including end-user/s’ needs and wants; function, purpose and context for product design; aesthetics; materials and sustainability; and the impact of these factors on a design solution. Teamwork encourages communication between students and mirrors professional design practice where designers often work within a multi-disciplinary team to develop solutions to design problems. Students also use digital technologies to facilitate teams to work collaboratively online.

Assessment

Learning Activities Include:

• Producing a folio which incorporates all elements of the product design process

• Trialling methods of production: written report

• Producing a finished product

• Evaluation of the product and the production activities

• Semester examination

Unit 3 – Applying the Product Design Process (Code: DTPD33)

Description

In this unit students are engaged in the design and development of a product that addresses a personal, local, or global problem (such as humanitarian issues), or that meets the needs and wants of a potential end-user/s. The product is developed through a design process and is influenced by a range of factors including the purpose, function and context of the product; user-centred design; innovation and creativity; design elements and principles; sustainability concerns; economic limitations; legal responsibilities; material characteristics and properties; and technology.

Assessment

• Outcome 1: The designer, Client/end-user in product development A test (5%)

• Outcome 2: Product development in industry A test (7%)

• Outcome 3: Designing for others The folio (SAT)

• Trial examination

Unit 4 - Product Development and Evaluation (Code: DTPD44)

Description

In this unit students engage with an end-user/s to gain feedback throughout the process of production. Students make comparisons between similar products to help evaluate the success of a product in relation to a range of product design factors. The environmental, economic and social impact of products throughout their life cycle can be analysed and evaluated with reference to the product design factors.

Assessment

• Outcome 1: Product analysis and comparison A test (8%)

• Outcome 2: Product manufacture (SAT)

• Outcome 3: Product evaluation (SAT)

School Assessed Coursework 20%

School Assessed Tasks 50%

Written Examination (November) 30%