Product Design

Students are provided with an interesting and extremely stimulating course. An awareness and understanding of economic, political, social, aesthetic, cultural, moral and environmental factors relevant to Design and Technology is encouraged throughout.
Design is seen as an integrating process involving consideration of human needs, responding to them and shaping human values. It includes an understanding of environmental issues and the application of appropriate technologies within production processes and recognises the need to take account of those external pressures which constrain the designer’s opportunities to bring about positive change in products and environments.

Understanding will be gained through practical experiences; industrial visits and problem solving situations. General knowledge of materials, structures, ergonomics, energy, control systems including CAD/CAM and use of ICT appropriate skills, advertising and marketing will be covered during this course.
GCE Product Design is an excellent platform for progression to higher education in Design, Engineering and Technological Degree courses.

At A Level, extra tuition is given on further and higher education entry, portfolio preparation and interview technique.

Be prepared to solve problems, be creatively minded with enthusiasm for creative thinking and pushing your own boundaries. You must be enthusiastic, prepared to really explore an idea or concept and be able to work with determination and perseverance. You will have timetabled lessons and will also be encouraged to come and use the space in your free periods, an equal amount of time is expected to be spend on your studies out of lessons as in lessons.

Year 1
Portfolio of work focussing on a Product study of your choice identifying an issue with the product.

Year 2
Portfolio of work focussing on a Design, make and evaluation of a product of your choice to meet a need which you identify yourself.

Exam
Externally assessed assignment in both years.

Students will follow a Modular Course, which involves:-

Year 1 (equivalent to an AS)
AS F521 OCR Advanced Innovation Challenge (Design and Make – externally assessed)
OCR Reflection paper (written paper 1 hour externally marked)
AS F522 OCR Product Study. Analysis and Development of an existing product –e-portfolio (coursework-internally assessed)

Year 2 (equivalent to an A2)
A2 F523 Design, Make and Evaluate – e-portfolio (internally assessed)
A2 F524 Product Design (written paper 1 hour exam / design paper 1½ hour

Year 1 & Year 2
All units are internally assessed at regular intervals throughout the year and externally moderated by the Exam Board.

Students will receive formative feedback throughout the course allowing them to reflect upon and refine work.

Exam
May externally assessed

This course is delivered by:
Mr P Sims
Mrs L Wood