PRODUCT DESIGN

The Product Design course aims to encourage creativity and innovation, to equip students  with design skills for the future. Students will be able to recognise design needs and develop  an understanding of how current global issues, including integrating technology, impacts on  today’s world.

Our contextual challenges at AS will give students the freedom to take design risks and  innovate in a situation where it is safe to test and refine ideas, giving them the confidence at  A Level to further develop these skills in their own design brief with a client/end user.

Students will be required to apply knowledge and understanding of a wide range of  materials; including modern and smart materials, and processes used in product design and  manufacture. They will be required to develop an understanding of contemporary industrial and commercial practices applied to designing and manufacturing products, and to appreciate the risks involved. Students should have a good working knowledge of health and safety procedures and relevant legislation. Students should be aware of the important contribution that key historical movements and figures have on modern design thinking. 

It is increasingly important that students develop an awareness of wider issues in design and technology, that design and technological activities can have a profound impact on the environment and on society and that these, together with sustainability, are key features of design and manufacturing practice. Mathematical and scientific principles are an important part of designing and developing products and students will be expected to apply these principles when considering the designs of others. 

This course consists of one externally-examined paper and one non-examined assessment. 

Component 1 – Principles of Design and Technology 

• 2 hours 30 minutes written examination, 50% of the qualification. 
• The paper includes calculations, short-open and open-response questions, as well as  extended-writing questions focused on analysis and evaluation of design decisions and  outcomes, and evaluation of wider issues in design technology, including social, moral,  ethical and environmental impacts. 

Component 2 – Independent Design and Make Project 

• Non-examined assessment, 50% of the qualification. 
• Students will produce a substantial design, make and evaluate project which consists of a  portfolio and a prototype.