Advanced/Advanced Subsidiary GCE Design & Technology - Product Design

Advanced/Advanced Subsidiary GCE Design & Technology - Product Design

Entry Requirements
Grade C, or above, in any Design and Technology discipline or related subject.

About the Course
Product Design is about the analysis and development of everyday objects from Coke cans to life jackets to MP3 players. With a qualification in Product Design you could go onto a career in Product Design, 3D Design, CAD, Manufacturing, Design, Surveying, Engineering or direct entry to an apprenticeship. Many students go on to complete a wide range of technical degrees.

In class students work with materials of their choice; from Textiles, Graphics, Wood, Metal or Plastics. Combined with industrial visits and a choice of design and make projects, the course allows you to choose the context for your learning. Your ICT skills will be developed greatly, with the use of CAD/CAM and graphics work. Wherever possible learning takes place through projects chosen by the student.

The course is structured as follows:

AS Module 1 - Advanced Innovation Challenge. Students develop practical and design skills throughout the year and sit this practical exam, design and making solutions to a problem set by the exam board. The focus here is on hands on modelling and designing skills.

AS Module 2 - Product Study. Students choose their own product, with a design issue/problem, and try to solve these issues through development, modelling and testing.

A2 Module 1 - Design, Make and Evaluate . Students are required to produce a coursework portfolio and product which fully demonstrates designing, making and evaluating skills, using creativity, flair and innovation. You are free, within reason, to design and make anything you like. It is vital that students choose to work on a project that inspires and interests them.

A2 Module 2 - Product Design Exam. This written exam focuses on the ability to analyse products in respect of:

• Materials, components and their uses.
• Manufacturing processes.
• Industrial and commercial practice.

Students can opt to focus in on the one of the following study areas, which will be studied throughout the course, being examined at A2:

• Built Environment and Construction.
• Engineering.
• Graphic Products.
• Manufacturing.
• Resistant Materials.
• Textiles.