Design and Technology: Product Design (A Level)

This course is for creative people with a passion for solving real world problems in a sustainable way using design and technology. It is particularly aimed at those who may want to go on to study design, engineering or architecture after the Sixth Form.

What you will learn

You will learn critical thinking and problem solving skills within a creative environment, enabling you to develop and make prototypes/products that solve real world problems. During the course you will develop the technical knowledge of how materials are formed, how they can be worked with along with how products are made in industry.

How you will learn

You will learn designing, modelling and making skills through a series of mini projects and the theory content will be taught using flipped learning where the content is studied at home prior to a lesson where your understanding of the topic is explored through tasks, discussion and testing.

Year 1

Technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques.

Presentation and modelling skills, CAD/CAM, practical skills. Wider social, moral and environmental issues that impact on the design and manufacturing industries

Year 2

Apply knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products in the Iterative Design Project and examined units.

Assessment 1. Principles of Design, written examination, 1 hour 30 minutes, 26.7% of final grade.

Learners will be required to: analyse existing products, demonstrate applied mathematical skills, demonstrate their technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques and demonstrate their understanding of wider social, moral and environmental issues that impact on the design and manufacturing industries.

Assessment 2. Problem Solving in Product Design, written examination, 1 hours 45 minutes, 23.3% of final grade.

Learners will be required to read and respond to the resource booklet provided. Apply knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products. Demonstrate thinking skills to solve problems and critically evaluate situations and suitability of design solutions.

Assessment 3. Iterative Design Project, non-examined assessment, 65 hours approx. 50% of final grade.

The ‘Iterative Design Project’ requires learners to undertake a substantial design, make and evaluate a project centred on the iterative processes of explore, create and evaluate. Learners identify a design opportunity or problem from a context of their own choice, and create a portfolio of evidence in real time through the project to demonstrate their competence.

College basic entry requirements

• Grade 5 or above in GCSE Design and Technology

Where Next?

Design Technology A level can lead on to numerous design related degree courses including Product Design, Engineering and Architecture as well as HNDs and advanced apprenticeships.

Course Combinations

The course combines well with Extended Project: Design and Technology, Maths, Physics and other creative subjects.