A2 Product Design (Graphics)

AS/A2 PRODUCT DESIGN (GRAPHICS)

AQA (1-2 years)

Entry Requirements

5 GCSE's at Grades A-C including English and Maths.·Grade C in a Design and Technology subject or an Art and Design subject.

Course overview

Students will complete a range of practical research tasks during the first term of the course. These are designed to improve the knowledge and understanding of materials and their properties. During these practical tasks students will experiment with joining and processing methods that are appropriate for the particular materials they are using. This will also develop the safe working practices that are required in a practical environment. These research tasks will also introduce the students to the main CAD programmes that the subject uses. Students understanding of materials and processes will be tested regularly with homework and assignments. The practical results of the material research tasks will be submitted as part of the investigation section of the PROD 2 portfolio.

Methods and Patterns of Assessment

The AS course comprises two assessment units which you will achieve in one year's study.

The A2 course comprises the AS units,plustwo further units covered in the A2 year. (See overleaf for more details.)

Costs

Worksheets and drawing paper will be issued free of charge.

Textbook: A Level Product Design (approx. cost £19).

Design software will be made available for home use free of charge.

Manufacturing costs:You will need to pay for most materials that you use.

Career Possibilities

Product Design is accepted as an entrance A level to a wide range of courses by the vast majority of universities, while Cambridge University see it as a useful subject for those students intending to study engineering. It is also a very useful subject if you intend to pursue courses or employment in the fields of industrial, product or engineering design; civil engineering; interior design; architecture, fashion or graphical illustration. Product Design is a pro-active course, you will need to enjoy experimenting, testing and modelling with a wide range of materials and CAD software to get the most from this course. If you want to make decisions that affect what and how you learn then this would be a good course choice for you.

THE AS COURSE:PROD 1:Materials, Components and Application

2 hour written examination paper = 50% of the total AS marks. This will account for 25% of the total A Level marks. This paper is based primarily on Materials and Components. It has three sections:

-Section 1 contains compulsory limited response questions

- Section 2 offers a choice of one question from two

- Section 3 contains one compulsory question

Subject content has been divided into three sections:

• Materials and components to include: how to choose materials that are fit for purpose.
• Design and market influences: products suitable for people and the environment.
• Processes and manufacture: how to create the shapes and forms that we need.

PROD 2: Learning Through Designing and Making

Coursework = 50% of the total AS marks This will account for 25% of the total A Level marksProject title:Novelty invitation package.You will be asked to submit the following:

• Practical research tasks with materials and processes.
• Design portfolio.
• Manufactured prototype products.

Your design portfolio will contain 20-30 sheets set out in an A3 electronic portfolio. It will be a record of how your design thinking, product development and manufacturing has evolved throughout the project.