Our Courses
Product Design
WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?
A level Product Design provides a unique opportunity in the curriculum for learners to identify and solve real problems by designing and making products. The course is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which encourages learners to use creativity and imagination. The course covers a wide range of disciplines and can be tailored to the interests and skills of the pupils. (Engineering, Product Design, Construction and Graphics etc). You will learn how to visually record your work, conduct relevant research and use the work of others to help you develop your own ideas. You will also experiment with a range of materials and manufacturing processes, including new technologies such as 3D printing as well as planning, modifying and reviewing your own work.
WHAT DOES THIS QUALIFICATION COVER?
The course covers a wide range of technical and creative content, whilst at the same time integrating practical skills, design skills, research, analysis and evaluation. The content range is broad, covering material properties, methods of manufacture, commercial practice, digital design and manufacture, design principles and communication .
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
YEAR 1
Year 1 will see a focus on covering both technical and design and making principles through a combination of subject specific study of the examination content and skills-based mini projects. You will cover a range of different manufacturing techniques and use materials from a variety of disciplines. You will learn how to use an iterative approach to design to research, define, design, develop and assess outcomes.
In April of year 1, you will begin your NEA (Non-examined assessment) project which will form 50% of your final grade awarded. You will need to use the knowledge you have gained from the skills-based mini projects, subject specific content and your own personal interests to inform your project.
YEAR 2
Year 2 will be a continuation of the NEA element started in April of year 1, you will have until March to complete this. Students are required to design and make a project based on a brief developed independently by the candidate. The portfolio of work completed will need to include a practical outcome, research, materials testing, developments, conceptual product manufacture and evaluations.
Once the coursework element (component 3) is complete students will have time to focus on and prepare for the written exams (component 1 & 2). Whilst many elements will have been covered throughout the coursework based project we will prepare you with revision techniques, cover key exam content and technical theory including Maths and Science elements.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
Your overall success on the course is measured by your ability to evidence the four Assessment Objectives, set by AQA. These are detailed in the AQA Specification for A Level Design and Technology:Product Design. The course is split evenly, 50% coursework, 50% exam (30%,20%).
Component 1: Technical Principles.
This is a two hour and 30 minutes written exam, worth 120 marks and makes up 30% of the final grade awarded. The examination includes a mixture of short answer and extended response questions assessing the learner’s knowledge and understanding of technical principles, including materials, workshop and commercial manufacturing, health and safety, feasibility and enterprise.
Component 2: Designing and Making Principles.
This is a one hour and 30 minutes written exam, worth 80 marks and makes up 20% of the final grade awarded. The examination is made up of two sections; A – Product Analysis and B – Commercial Manufacture. These topics will be assessed using short and extended response questions covering design theory, analysis, evaluation, project management and standards in product design.
Component 3: NEA (Non-examined assessment)
Students will need to produce a substantial design and make a project based on a brief developed independently by the candidate and contributing to 50% of the final grade awarded. A practical outcome is assessed alongside a supporting portfolio of evidence demonstrating the candidate’s ability to identify, investigate and outline design possibilities, design and make conceptual prototypes and analyse and evaluate design decisions and outcomes including for prototypes made by themselves and others.
WHERE CAN IT LEAD?
Product Design is a full A level course which can lead into a number of further and higher education Art and Design/Design and Technology, Engineering, Architectural etc based courses as well as enable students to demonstrate skills for entering employment/apprenticeship within technical and creative industries.
QUALIFICATION
A Level
EXAM BOARD
AQA
COURSE STAFF
Mrs L Pearson
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A minimum of a grade 5 in another creative GCSE is required.
A-Level Subjects
BTEC & Diplomas
Double BTECs & Diplomas
