Design and Technology (Product Design)
Course summary
We live in a consumer society and the design and manufacture of products is a multi billion pound industry. People use hundreds of different products everyday from a toothbrush when you wake up, a toaster for breakfast, microwave for lunch, sofa to flop out on and mobile phone to contact friends; the list is never ending. The course focuses on developing an understanding of: Why products look the way they do? What makes people want to buy products? How do products effect the environment? What are products made from and why has this material been selected? How have products been made and why have they been made that way? This course is for people who are interested in the design of products. The course covers a broad base of skills relating to many different subjects. Future careers could include: Architect, Consumer Researcher, Engineer, Ergonomist, Graphic Designer, Interior Designer, Marketing and Advertising, Medical Product Design, Product Designer, Sustainable Designer, Tester, Textile Designer, Web Designer or any career with links to design, manufacture or consumption of products.
Entry Requirements
Checked against your grades — every rule traces to the school's published source.
| Requirement | Rule | You |
|---|---|---|
GCSE qualifications | 2 gcse qualifications at grade 6.0 or above | — |
GCSE qualifications | 4 gcse qualifications at grade 5.0 or above | — |
Design and Technology | Grade 5 in Design and Technology | — |
Textiles Alternative route | Grade 5 in Textiles | — |
As published by the school
GCSE in Product Design or Textiles at Grade 5 or above. An interest in Art and/or ICT is also beneficial.
Am I eligible?
Eligibility:Sign in to check eligibilitySign in and add your predicted grades to check this course against them — no verdict is implied without your grades.
Assessment
The course is 50% coursework and 50% examination. In year 1 you will complete several short projects using a variety of materials to help build your subject knowledge and practical skills. In year 2 you will complete one coursework project on a subject of your choice. Practical outcomes for the year 2 project have included: architectural models, prosthetic limbs, gym training aid, children’s educational computer (prototype), football shin pads and furniture. Your final product can be made from virtually any material including: plastics, card, wood, metal, fabric, resin block or whatever is most suitable for the product that you design.
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