About.
This is a 2 year design based course.
The specification 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 and manufacturing.
In the first year you will combine theoretical content with practical application in order to develop your designing and manufacturing skills.
This will include working on short projects with our industry partners to develop design, CAD and manufacturing skills in preparation for the final NEA work. The range of projects will give students the opportunity to explore and experiment with different materials, techniques and processes.
The use of mathematical skills is a key requirement, and is tested in the examination.
In the second year, students will complete a design and make prototype task alongside an understanding of the processes and procedures of designing and manufacturing principles. This will further develop the knowledge and practical skills from year one and is an opportunity for students to challenge themselves as a designer.
Students in the past 5 years have worked alongside a range of industrial partners including clients such as Artemide and Lighting Design Studio. This has included regular client visits, presentations and feedback at different points of the NEA coursework.
Complementary Subjects.
Product Design goes well with many subjects. If you want a career in Design and Engineering routes you might consider Science and Maths A-Levels to Business Studies and vocational pathways.
Business Studies Maths Biology Chemistry PhysicsCareer Pathways.
Product Design could take you into a number of exciting career paths. Of course there’s product or automotive design - but what about CAD or animation? This course could take you into architecture, teaching, manufacturing, advertising or engineering.
Product Design gives you the chance to experiment with different ideas whilst exploring how they can be manufactured. We had the chance to work on projects with real clients such as Artemide and Aston University.
- Alex FlanaganProduct Design is a challenging subject that allows you to showcase your creative abilities.
- Waseem HussainIf you require further information on any aspect of the course you should contact the following:
Assessment.
Paper 1: Technical Principles
| 30% | • Single paper of 2 hours 30 minutes duration • 120 marks • Mixture of short and extended response |
Paper 2: Designing and Making Principles
| 20% | • Single paper of 1 hour 30 minutes duration • 80 marks • Mixture of short and extended response • Product analysis questions • Commercial manufacture questions |
Non Examination Assessment (NEA)
| 50% | • 45 hours • Substantial design and make prototype task and E-Portfolio from students’ own brief |