Edexcel A level Design Technology Product Design Graphic Products

Edexcel A level Design Technology - Product Design Graphic Products
Almost everything we do in our lives is affected by design. The environment we inhabit, from town planning to architectural and interior design and the products we use, from the humble paper clip to the latest hospital body scanner are all designed. Some are one-off products, like the individually hand made pieces of jewellery; others may be mass-produced like a motor car. Good design is at the centre of all these processes.

The product design course you are about to undertake will involve you in exploring design problems, generating, developing and communicating design proposals, planning the manufacture of high quality 2 and 3 dimensional products and testing to evaluate their success. We think that the Design Technology: Product Design Graphic Products course is one of the most exciting and interesting courses at Reigate College. We hope that you will come to share our enthusiasm and enjoy it as much as we do.

What will I study on this course?
Graphic Products has two clearly defined pathways: either conceptual design or the built environment.

(i) Conceptual design incorporates a wide range of 3D products with associated graphics, for example:

• packaging design
• product/industrial design
• point-of-sale display
• vehicle design.

(ii) The built environment focuses on the surroundings that provide the setting for human activity, for example:

• architecture
• interior design
• exhibition design
• theatre sets
• garden design.

In the first year you can explore both pathways in order to evidence the assessment requirements for the three distinct sections of Product Investigation, Design and Manufacture. In the second year you will be able set your own Commercial Design brief and design and manufacture 2 and 3D products to meet the need you have identified. Extensive use is made of both traditional and computer aided design and manufacture.

How is this course assessed?
60% of the AS and 30% of the A2 marks are awarded for the Portfolio of Creative Skills coursework.
40% of the AS and 20% of the A2 marks are awarded for the 1hour 30 minute Design and Technology in Practice written exam.
40% of the A2 and 20% of the full GCE marks are awarded for the 2 hour Designing for the Future written exam.
60% of the A2 and 30% of the full GCE marks are awarded for the Commercial Design coursework

What kind of student will do well on this course?
You must enjoy drawing and modelling original and innovative designs to a high standard. You must also want to manufacturing objects which show precision and attention to detail.

To do this course you must be happy to commit yourself to extensive development of your projects and the core of knowledge and understanding that supports your work as homework. You should enjoy work which is challenging and varied and will develop a wide range of skills, practical, social and intellectual.

Within your teaching group there will be students with a range of different strengths and weaknesses. We will work together to build on your strengths and weaknesses. Dont be put off by other peoples strengths our aim is to improve your confidence and build on your ability in all areas of design and making.

Exam Board
Edexcel A level Design Technology - Product Design Graphic Products 8/9GR01