DT Graphic Products A2

DT Graphic Products AS/A Level
Art, Media, Technology, Perf Art, Music & Dance
Board and Syllabus details
Board: Edexcel - Syllabus: AS Level (8109), A Level (9109)
About the subject

The aims of Product Design are to encourage students to develop and sustain their own innovation, creativity and design and technology capability, to recognise constraints and to produce high quality products. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical understanding of the influences of the processes and products of design and technological activity from a historical perspective and in current practice.
Fifty percent of the overall award is earned through two coursework projects where students are expected to adopt a commercial approach to designing and making their own products.

Learning Styles

The nature of the units for this award are intended to encourage students to be independent learners from the outset. The starting point for the exam-based units is in the research of existing products and design styles. This is also required for the coursework projects that are undertaken in the Autumn/Spring terms of both the first and second year. Students are expected to find out about and critically analyse: materials, processes, components and systems in order to make choices for the production of their own designs.
The Spring term takes on a much more theoretical approach where students build upon the knowledge and understanding gained from the completion of their coursework. The Summer term for both years is used for revision and exam practice. All the units are taken in June of both years.
Students can expect a variety of learning experiences during the course including:
" Group activities and presentations.
" Intense workshops in specific skills e.g. CAD.
" Practical experience for realisation of products where the students will build upon their existing manufacturing skills.
" Personal and homework activities in the Autumn term centre round the production of the coursework design folder with phased deadline for each criterion. In the Spring and Summer term personal work will be concerned with reinforcing knowledge, and gaining exam and study skills.
" Regular assessments will be followed up with 'one to one' feedback on progress where targets will be set for future assessments.
Students will be expected to have extensive evidence of the use of ICT in their work and Collyer's is well placed to support them in this.

Subject combinations and progression
Product design is suited to students who are taking either Science or Art and Design based combinations of subjects. The broad nature of the specification enables a diverse range of career aims from interior design and architecture to web publishing, or more general print based graphic design. Coursework projects can be tailored to meet a particular interest that a student might have. All coursework must have an outcome that includes a three dimensional component. e.g. a promotional item that links in with a website design.
Subject modules and assessment

Unit 1 - Product Development - Coursework 50% (25% A2)
Unit 2 - Knowledge and Understanding of Product Design - Examination 2hrs 50% AS (25% A2)
Unit 3 - Further Study of Product Design - Examination 2 hrs 25% A2
Unit 4 - Commercial Product Development - Coursework 25% A2

Entry Requirements
C in any DT subject although consideration will be given to students unable to take any DT GCSE at their school