Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

Why study this subject? Product Design will equip you with rigorous thinking skills to generate creative, practical and marketable solutions to real-life problems; designing and making products that meet peoples’ needs. This multidisciplinary course will prepare you with the skills you need to perform in a creative problem-solving environment: you will work to deadlines and industry standards; experiment with new technologies; communicate your ideas using a full range of IT and presentation packages; think laterally and use analytical skills. The course has been designed to encourage students to work in a collaborative studio-style environment and take a broad view of design and technology. Product Design students develop their ability to design and make products and to appreciate the relationship between idea development, materials, manufacture and marketing. Course content A Level Design and Technology: Product Design requires students to engage in both practical and theoretical study. This specification requires students to cover design and technology skills and knowledge as set out below. Technical Principles: • Materials and their applications • Performance characteristics of materials • Enhancement of materials • Forming, redistribution and addition processes • The use of finishes • Modern industrial and commercial practice • Digital design and manufacture • The requirements for product design and development • Health and safety • Protecting designs and intellectual property • Design for manufacturing, maintenance, repair and disposal • Feasibility studies • Enterprise and marketing in the development of products • Design communication • Modern manufacturing systems Designing and making principles: • Design methods and processes • Design theory • How technology and cultural changes can impact on the work of designers • Design Processes • Critical analysis and evaluation • Selecting appropriate tools, equipment and processes • Accuracy in design and manufacture • Responsible design • Design for manufacture and project management • National and international standards in product design