Course information
Design and Technology (Product Design)
The Tiffin Girls' School - Kingston upon Thames
02085460773
Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 5PL
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

Entry requirements

The minimum qualification for entry into the Sixth Form at the School is 8 full course GCSE passes. The 8 passes must include English, Mathematics and a science at GCSE. Four of the passes must be at grade 7 or above and another four must be at grade 6 or above. For iGCSEs graded A* to G, grade A is equivalent to a 7 and A* is equivalent to an 8 or 9. For Design and Technology (DT): at least a grade 7 in DT GCSE or at least a grade 7 in either Art GCSE or Maths GCSE or Physics GCSE if DT has not been studied at GCSE.

How you'll be assessed

Paper 1: Technical principles 2 hours and 30 minutes written exam, 120 marks, 30% of A Level Paper 2: Designing and making principles 1 hour and 30 minutes written exam, 80 marks, 20% of A Level Non-exam assessment (NEA) Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles. Substantial design and make project, 100 marks, 50% of A Level

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionLondon
Local AuthorityKingston upon Thames
Ofsted RatingOutstanding
Gender TypeGirls
AddressRichmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 5PL