AS/A Level Design Technology 3D Product Design

AS/A LEVEL DESIGN TECHNOLOGY 3D PRODUCT DESIGN

WHAT IS DESIGN TECHNOLOGY?
The course is a broad based 3D product design course designed to stimulate imagination and creativity through designing and making. Most of our students seem to really enjoy the course, particularly the design and making activity. Students with Graphic Products at GCSE are often unsure about the difference between D&T and Graphic Design at AS. Graphic Products at GCSE is like D&T at AS level. Graphic Design is more an Art and Design based subject. Both subjects are open to you if you have done Graphic Products at GCSE.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY DESIGN TECHNOLOGY?
You will learn how to design and make products, in order to do that you will develop skills including freehand, technical and presentation drawing. You will develop IT & CAD skills and studio and workshop based skills in model and prototype making in materials like wood, metal and plastics.

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS
Experience of designing or making, or both is valuable as are drawing skills, so subjects like Design Technology, Graphic Products or Resistant Materials are very useful as is Art and Design.

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT
In the AS year you will do several minor projects, these will involve design and making using plastics, metals and wood. You will learn about design, materials and processes. This will give you a portfolio of coursework and help give you the skills and knowledge that you will need to pass the exam at the end of the first year. In the main you will learn through hands on design and make work. There is a fair amount of background information and knowledge needed in the AS year but it is all relevant and valuable. You will look at things like materials and components, design and market influences and processes and manufacturing.

In the second year you will do a single major design and make project and then sit an end of year exam.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
In the AS year you will produce a design and make portfolio that could consist of one or more projects. This is followed by a 2 hour written exam paper at the end of the year that will test your knowledge of materials and components.

The A2 year follows a similar pattern to the AS year with a major design and make project and an exam based on your knowledge of design and manufacture. The coursework units are marked internally and then externally moderated by AQA.

COURSE COSTS
You will need some basic drawing equipment and folders, the college will provide these at cost price when you begin the course. Most studio and workshop materials will be provided in the AS year. At A2 you will be expected to contribute towards the cost of your final project.

PROGRESSION ROUTES
There are many jobs that demand design skills like the design professions, (industrial design, exhibition design, furniture design, interior design, graphic design and packaging and so on). There are many other professions and careers where design skills are valuable, the obvious ones are architecture, town planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering, transport design and engineering. The less obvious ones are things like horology (clock making); silversmithing and many other design or craft based jobs and careers, not to mention Design & Technology teaching.