Design and Technology – Product Design
Background Knowledge and Qualifications
To embark on this course students will normally have gained grade 6 or better in GCSE Design Technology. The A-level specification also accommodates those who demonstrated good ability in Design Technology up to Year 9 but did not take the GCSE. Such cases would be dealt with on an individual basis.
Course Description
Product Design requires students to engage in both practical and theoretical study. The course requires students to cover design and technology skills and knowledge and has been separated into:
– Core technical principles
– Core designing and making principles
– Additional specialist knowledge
Core technical principles covers materials and their applications, the requirements for design, development and manufacture, design communication, digital design and manufacture, efficient use of materials, health and safety, feasibility studies, design for manufacture, maintenance and repair, protecting designs and intellectual property and enterprise and marketing in the development of products.
Core designing and making principles covers design methods and processes, design theory, how technology and cultural changes can impact on the work of designers, design processes, critical analysis and evaluation, selecting appropriate specialist tools, techniques and processes, accuracy in design and manufacture, how to evaluate products, taking into account the views of potential users, responsible design, approaches to project management, design for manufacture and national and international standards in product design.
Additional specialist knowledge covers the characteristics and working properties of materials, performance characteristics of materials, the use of adhesives and fixings, the use of surface finishes and coatings, forming, redistribution and addition processes, industrial and commercial practice and modern manufacturing systems.
Students must also demonstrate maths and science skills.
This knowledge is assessed by the means of two examinations.
Non Examination Assessment (NEA) requires students to undertake a single substantial design and make task accompanied by a portfolio consisting of approximately 45 pages including photographic evidence of the practical work as well as the final outcome. The coursework provides evidence of the practical application of core technical principles and core designing and making principles. The choice of project is by discussion and agreement with the teacher. It is a very good idea to have the project for a particular client, though this is not essential.
Four criteria are used for assessment, Exploration, Designing, Making and Analysis and Evaluation and these are assessed throughout the coursework. The Exploration stage leads to a clear and precise design brief and following detailed research from a wide range of sources a comprehensive, well-reasoned and fully explained design specification is formulated.
The Designing section needs to show imaginative and innovative ideas developed, demonstrating both creativity and consideration of the functional requirements of the proposed design solution. A range of high quality annotated graphics methods should be used to effectively communicate the development of the solution. A comprehensive and fully detailed plan of making needs to be produced including relevant quality control checks.
Making should be carried out with a high degree of precision and accuracy with appropriate techniques, including CAM where required. The outcome should satisfy all major points of the specification and be fully functioning. Analysis and Evaluation should be evidenced throughout the design and making process and a detailed and comprehensive testing strategy applied throughout, with results used to inform the design and refine any modifications to the design. A well-reasoned critical analysis of the final outcome linking to the design brief and specification will also be produced. Scope for improvements and further development, including for batch or mass production, also needs to be shown.
Use of Course and Qualifications
Design Technology is a good preparation for entry onto most university degree courses. Typically our students fall into three categories:
– Those wishing to take up a career in a design or engineering field
– Those who enjoy creative designing, product development and problem solving
– Those who enjoy the subject and feel they can achieve a good grade
Design and Technology Students are able to work in a wide range of fields such as; Product Design, Architecture, Engineering, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Furniture Design, Materials Science, Computer Science, Product Marketing, Business Studies, Management, Dentistry, Law, Surveying, Estate Management, Sports Science, Economics and Geography.
Student Testimonial
Year 13 Student
Proposed University Course: Mechanical Engineering
I have always had a passion for DT and I believe the skills learnt from studying this subject give a solid base for engineering and design. DT not only develops design and problem solving skills in a creative way but also enables students to develop their range of ideas to a manufactured solution – a greatly rewarding process that builds research, planning and time management skills – invaluable attributes for the future.
QEGS Senior
(Boys 11-18 years) 154 Northgate Wakefield WF1 3QX Telephone: 01924 373 943
Email: office@qegsss.org.uk
Twitter: @QEGSYorkshire www.wgsf.org.uk
Technical Information A-level A-level Course Title Unit Code Awarding Body Design and Technology: Product Design 7552 AQA A-level Examinations: Name Method of Assessment Marks Written Paper 1: Technical Principles 2 hours 30 mins 30% Written Paper 2: Designing and Making Principles 1 hour 30 mins 20% Non Examination Assessment (NEA) c. 45 hours 50%
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