EDEXCEL: PRODUCT DESIGN - RESISTANT MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY

Design and Technology Product Design AS/A2 is a logical transition for students who have already found GCSE Design and Technology success The subject compliments the sciences or can offer a rewarding contrast to the humanities with a broad range of further education possibilities.

The course aims to enhance student awareness of aesthetics in design and to enable them to differentiate between poorly and well conceived designs. It offers a broad range of practical opportunities as well as theory that is consolidated by educational visits.

Entry Requirements

Applicants for this course should have a good pass in a relevant GCSE Design and Technology course.

Content

The course runs over two years with three units covered each year :

AS Unit 1 Product Analysis, 15% examination

Unit 2 Design and make project, 20% coursework project

Unit 3 Materials and Design in Society, 15% examination

A2 Unit 4 Materials and Design in society, 15% examination

Unit 5 Design and make project, 20% coursework project

Unit 6 Product design paper, 15% examination

AS level Design and Technology carries on from GCSE but because students have a broader understanding and knowledge base it allows greater emphasis on commercial awareness and industrial design. Students will learn how industrial designers operate and will come to appreciate how an understanding of industrial manufacture leads to more effective and innovative design.

In this first year students will complete a coursework project on a set theme that will be completed over two terms. The project is supported by theory sessions, in many cases delivered through practical experiences, which relate directly to the two written examination papers sat in the summer term of this first year.

Although students may take the AS as a stand alone qualification it is anticipated that most will continue onto the full A2 (A Level) qualification. In this final year students select their own coursework project, realistic constraints will be applied as they research, develop and construct working prototypes. Each project will be treated as a business proposition, requiring feasibility studies and informed decisions at every stage of development. Budget constraints, production scale, ergonomics and environmental factors will all exist as hurdles to be overcome in this exciting and creative path to a new product. Once again the project work will be supported by theory sessions which relate directly to the two written examinations sat in the summer term of this final year.

Looking Further Ahead

An A Level in Design and Technology could lead, in its own right, to any design career in industry, whether it be product design, fashion design, architecture or engineering. It can also be used as a valid supporting subject for students wishing to pursue further studies in the classics or humanities subjects.