Design and Technology - Product Design

The Programme:

This exciting course looks at how everyday products have been designed and made. You will use a wide variety of tools and equipment which may include work in CAD/CAM, graphics, resistant materials or electronics. It gives you the opportunity to develop skills in designing and making products of high quality.

The course comprises of 50% coursework and a 50% examination element.

The units studied as AS are:

Unit 1 – PROD1 Materials, Components and Application  
 
You will develop an understanding of the physical and mechanical properties of a broad range of materials and components (Metals, timbers, polymers, etc). You will learn why these are used in specific applications, with particular emphasis on the life-cycle of products, manufacture, use and disposal. You will study the methods by which materials and components can be cut, joined and manipulated to manufacture products.
2 hour written paper

Unit 2 – PROD2 Learning Through Designing and Making

You will design and make a range of high quality products. This may take a number of forms: a simple design-and-make project or two smaller projects.
 
The units studied as A2 are:
 
Unit 3 – PROD3 Design and Manufacture
The content has been divided into three sections:
• Section A: Materials and Components
• Section B: Design and Market Influences
• Section C: Processes and Manufacture
2 hour written paper

Unit 4 – PROD4 Design and Making Practice
Students are encouraged to select a problem to solve in which they are interested and which is considered achievable by their teacher.
This will include a written design folder and a manufactured outcome of a high quality product.

Requirements:
Students embarking on AS and A2 in Product Design are expected to have achieved at least a grade B at GCSE in Design and Technology.

Next Steps:
Success in this course could lead to careers in furniture design, product design, engineering, graphic design, computer graphics or architecture.

Student comment:
'I am really proud of my project work. I have had a lot of support and guidance with it. I've put a lot of hours into my project and I'm really proud of the end result.'