Design and Technology GCSE

Design and Technology: Product Design is a great opportunity for creative and practical students to explore and develop their skills in designing and making high quality marketable products.

The course encourages students to:

• Design original and useful products using a range of materials and processes. • Research real situations, identify gaps in the market and find practical design solutions to real problems. • Learn drawing and modelling skills to communicate and develop design ideas. • Develop manufacturing skills using CAD CAM (Computer Aided

Design and Computer Aided Manufacture). • Develop manufacturing and making skills using a range of processes, using woods, metals and plastics.

In the past, our Year 10 students have produced working Xylophone designs and lighting solutions using traditional construction joints with laser cut details.

Exam Board: AQA

How the course is assessed

1x 2hr written exam 50%. 1x 30-35 hr Non Examined Assessment (NEA) 50% which includes a design portfolio and practical product.

Suitable Candidates

You must like designing and making. This course is suitable for students considering a creative future as Design Architecture, Manufacturing or Engineering. It is a great complement to maths, science and physics. It is also suitable if you intend to go to college to focus on a particular practical expertise for example electronics, carpentry or plumbing.

For the Non Examined Assessment, students will independently manage a 35 hour design and make task. You can choose to work in your preferred specialist materials and processes.

Hard work, an enquiring mind and determination are essential skills to make high quality marketable products.

Design and Technology could lead to jobs within the creative, engineering, manufacturing and construction industries including: Product and Packaging Designer, Engineer, Research and Development, Automotive Designer, Modelmaker, Visualiser, CAD Technician, Marketing, Management, Metal worker, Carpenter, Design Journalism, Teacher.

Post 16 Progression Routes

There are a range of options to study Product Design further at college level including, but not limited to: AS/A2 level Product Design NVQ Carpentry, Electrics & Plumbing Students can then pursue a degree in a range of different subjects including: • Product Design • Furniture Design • Architecture • Engineering • Visual Arts • Interior Design • Stage/Theatre Design • Ceramic Design

Student Comments

“Everything around us has been designed, it is my ambition to design products that make a real difference to people’s lives, I want to make people’s lives better”