AS/A2 Design Technology - Product Design - Graphic Products

AS/A2 Design Technology - Product Design - Graphic Products

Why study Design Technology
Product Design Graphic Products?
This course is suitable for students who wish to continue their studies from either GCSE Design Technology Resistant Materials or Graphic Products. If students wish to work with resistant materials in order to pursue their career or higher education aspirations, then there will be every opportunity to do so on this course.

The varied nature of the course provides an excellent foundation for Higher Education and a range of career opportunities. Past students have gained degrees in a wide variety of disciplines including Mechanical, Civil and Aeronautical Engineering, Product Design, Graphic Design, Sports Equipment Design and Architecture. Design Technology can now be studied as a discrete subject at University along with its application in industry and commerce. You can also study DT with a view to teaching.

Please note that Design Technology Product Design Graphic Products cannot be combined with Design Technology Product Design Textiles to form part of a course.
What will I study and how will I be assessed?
You will use the design process to design, manufacture, test and evaluate practical solutions to design problems. To support your design work, you will study a number of Design Theory topics. These range from the study of materials and manufacturing processes, advertising and marketing, printing and packaging, through to the work and influence of design movements and professional designers.

Practical design forms a major element of your work. During both years of your course you will produce a design portfolio and product models. Coursework has two elements a 2D and 3D outcome. You will have a finished 3D model along with some supporting printed work produced with the aid of Desk Top Publishing. You can steer your A2 project choice toward your eventual career or Higher Education aspirations.

Specific Skills
Students taking this course should:

• Enjoy sketching and drawing as these skills form a considerable part of the course. Have a proven interest and enthusiasm for all areas of design and the work of designers.


• Enjoy finding solutions to practical and graphic problems.


• Be prepared to use our machinery to work with wood, metal, plastic and traditional modelling materials to manufacture product models.


• Be ready to work with a range of design software packages e.g. Pro Desk Top, ProEngineer, Photoshop and Google Sketch Up.

Course Structure
AS Year
Unit 1 Portfolio of Creative skills Coursework 60% of AS (30% of total GCE marks)

Unit 2 Design and Technology in practice (Graphic Products) 1 Hour 30 min Exam Paper 40% of AS (20% of total GCE marks)

A2 Year
Unit 3 Designing for the future 2 Hour Exam Paper 40% of A2 (20% of total GCE marks)

Unit 4 - Commercial Design (Graphic Products) Coursework 60% of A2 (30% of total GCE marks) Project of your choice agreed with DT staff.

A2 students have the opportunity to be submitted for the Sustainable Design Award. If they consider issues of sustainability throughout their project they can gain an additional certificate.

Homework and Independent Study
The recommended time that you should spend on your homework is around 5 hours per week. Much of this time will be taken up with the production of your design portfolio, but there will be written assignments as well.

The facilities of the Department can be used outside normal timetabled lessons and you will be encouraged to spend some of your study time in the Department.

Does Design Technology link particularly well with other subjects?
If you are considering studying an engineering discipline then you could combine your study of Design Technology with Maths and Physics. Whereas for degree courses in the areas of creative design then the study of Art and Design would be beneficial.

Where might it lead?
Over the past 4 years 70% of our students go on to University. Of these 45% have taken design or engineering courses. Other students have taken Art foundation courses, modern apprenticeships or gone straight into paid employment.

Entry Requirement
A grade C GCSE pass or above in a related Design Technology subject area such as, Resistant Materials, Graphic Products or Technology. Students with other backgrounds, particularly in Art, and a grade C pass or above in the relevant subject will be considered. Students who have a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the subject, but without the design based qualification will need to complete a design task set by Head of Department.