Design Technology

The IGCSE in Design and Technology enables students to understand and apply iterative design processes through which they explore, create and evaluate a range of outcomes. Students will have the choice to specialise in either Resistant Materials or Graphic Products.

The qualification enables students to use creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes (together with evidence of modelling to develop and prove product concept and function) that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. It gives students opportunities to apply knowledge from other disciplines, including mathematics, science, art and design, computing and the humanities.

Students will acquire subject knowledge in design and technology that builds on Key Stage 3, incorporating knowledge and understanding of different materials and manufacturing processes in order to design and make, with confidence, prototypes in response to issues, needs, problems and opportunities.

Students learn how to take design risks, helping them to become resourceful, innovative and enterprising citizens. They should develop an awareness of practices from the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries. Through the critique of the outcomes of design and technology activity, both historic and present day, students should develop an understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world and understand that high-quality design and technology is important to the creativity, culture, sustainability, wealth and wellbeing of the nation and the global community.

The Cambridge IGCSE Design & Technology course at St Julian´s offer two different specialisms of design. Students will be required to opt for either Resistant Materials or Graphic Products. Common content will be covered alongside the specialisms.

Common content: Product Design

Over the course of the 2 year IGCSE students will cover common core study topics. The delivery of these topics will be ´focus task´ based, combining the development of practical skills along with essential knowledge and understanding. These topics will ensure students are prepared for undertaking their core external examination and the internal design project.

Study topics

• Observing the needs/requirements of the user

• Understanding the development of design briefs and specification

• How to undertake effective research and identify how it can be used

• Develop graphical skills to effectively communicate possible ideas

• Impact and importance of evaluation Implementation and realisation

• Health and safety

• Understand the development of ideas, and recording data

• Developing skill base using CAD & CAM in design and making

• Understanding the impact of Design & technology in society

• Developing practical application of design

• Responsibility as a designer for the environment and sustainability

Specialist option: Resistant materials

Resistant Materials aims to develop the skills which designers use within the context of materials and their

processing. Candidates need sufficient practical experience so they can get a broad understanding of materials,

processes and technology, in order to become competent in using resistant materials.

Study topics

• Investigating materials, their properties and application

• knowledge of the preparation of materials, understanding the application of tools and machinery use in preparation

• Knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes using in shaping, jointing and assembly.

• Knowledge of finishing methods for a range of materials.

Specialist option: Graphic products

Graphic Products aims to develop the skills that designers use within the context of their design activities in

the design studio. It also aims to develop an awareness of the importance of communication and modelling

techniques concerned with promotion and illustration of ideas and their interrelationship with all stages in

commercial manufacture and promotion.

Study topics

• Knowledge of formal drawing techniques and understand the application of their uses

• Developing skill base of formal drawing techniques and the appropriate use of instruments and drawing aids

• Investigate and understand effective layout for visual impact

• Understanding effective presentation techniques

• Knowledge of commercial printing methods

• Knowledge of graphical materials and their application

• Development of modelling skills including CAD/CAM

• Knowledge and understanding of graphical product manufacture

External Examination worth 50% of overall grade

Compulsory component: All students complete the Product Design paper 1.

Paper 1 exam: 1h 15 mins

• This is a written and drawing paper worth 25% of the overall grade.

Specialist option: Students will complete one external examination paper in their specialist subject, either Resistant Materials or Graphic Products.

Paper 2: Resistant materials 1hr

• Written paper covering resistant material study topics worth 25% of overall grade.

Paper 5: Graphic Product 1hr

• Written and drawing paper coving Graphic Products study topics work 25% of overall grade.

Design project worth 50% of overall grade

• This is a school based assessment, internally assessed and externally moderated.

• Students will complete a design portfolio following the iterative design process to produce a physical prototype product in order to solve a design problem.

Engineering, Product Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Illustration, Graphic Design, Building Science, Automobile Industry and many others.

Syllabus: link to document

Student book: link to website

Design & Technology association: link to website