AS Design Technology

Design Technology
As the name suggests, the main focus is on the design of a variety of products, both those with a graphics bias and manufactured artifacts. As such students will need to know how and why things are made.

The course has been designed to encourage candidates to take a broad view of design and technology, to develop their capacity to design and make products and to appreciate the complex relations between design, materials, manufacture and marketing.
The course provides candidates with the opportunity to design and make a product (or, in the case of AS, a number of smaller products) in both years of the course.

Product Design is intended to follow on from Design Technology GCSE courses such as Product Design, Resistant Materials and Graphic Products. AS / A2 level Product Design requires both dedication and hard work to achieve success.

The AS represents the first half of the full A level course and contributes 50% of the total A level marks. It is examined at the end of the first year of study. The A2, the second half of the A level, comprises a further 50% of the total A level marks. Candidates may however, after one year, undertake the AS examination only.

What Will I Learn On This Course?

, design methods and processes
, manufacturing skills
, illustration, selection and use of appropriate 2D/3D techniques
, influences on the design process
, materials and their working properties
, computer aided design
, designers and the history of design
, resources and environment
, economic and social issues
, design and market influences
, technological change

Students would undertake a range of activities such as:
analysis of the design of products / generation of their own designs / modeling and prototyping techniques / testing and evaluation / visual communication / report writing and a range of computer applications.

Course Content And Method Of Assessment

AS


Coursework Project: Students will produce a design portfolio representing multiple projects undertaken during the year. These projects will include the development of a piece of work following the identification of a problem, including research, and the generation of ideas, to the production of a 3 dimensional outcome. The use of computers in the presentation of their work is encouraged and expected.(50%)

Timed Examination:A written exam of 2 hours duration. The questions are designed to test the understanding of materials and components within Product Design.(50%)

A2

Candidates must have completed and passed the appropriate AS examination before taking the course.

Coursework:This project is more comprehensive and sophisticated than that undertaken in the AS course. The content will be of the students' own choice and will allow much more freedom in its outcome. Students will be expected to include some external commercial or industrial input. The outcome will be a substantial folder of design work, with one or more prototypes and an evaluation of the work.(50%)

Timed examination:A written exam of 2 hours duration. Candidates are presented with questions that are based around Design, Manufacture and Market influences.(50%)

The syllabus followed is that offered by AQA

After The Course

Design Technology is accepted as an entrance A level to the majority of Higher Education courses. The aim of the course is to teach awareness of the design process it is therefore particularly useful to those wishing to go on to careers such as Product Design, Architecture, Automotive Design, Jewellery Design, Packaging Design and some engineering courses.

Subject Combinations

It is possible to combine Design Technology subjects with any other A level. Many students combine this subject with other A levels such as Art, Physics, Mathematics and Business Studies.

Financial implications:
Basic equipment and paper are provided as part of the course. Students will need to bear in mind, however, that they will have to bear the costs of the materials for their project work, and that there may be a need to provide a range of drawing equipment for their own use. This will vary according to the project being made, but the overall cost could be from 20 - 70.

Entry Requirements

5 GCSE's A*-C, including a minimum of Grade C in a Design Technology Subject and Maths. Grade C in English is advantageous.