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DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY PRODUCT DESIGN IN THE SIXTH FORM
Examination Board: Edexcel
Availability: AS and A2
Aims:
The Advanced GCE Design and Technology aims to provide an opportunity for students to develop their own creativity, and capability skills, to apply knowledge and understanding to a range of technological activities and to develop critical thinking and collaborative skills.
AS Level consists of two units:
Unit 1
Portfolio of Creative Skills is assessed internally and moderated by the exam board. It is three modular projects based on product investigation, product design and a product manufacture
Unit 2
Design and Technology in Practice is assessed externally and takes the form of an examination. The unit will involve the study of:
Resistant Materials and ‘Smart Materials’ – this includes the working properties and functions of materials and components, relating to the composition and structure of materials and also involves hand and commercial methods of preparing, processing, manipulating and combining materials and components to enhance their properties. This will include associated tools, machinery and equipment including CAD/CAM.
Following the successful completion of the AS course A Level students then take two further units:
Unit 3
Designing for the Future: is assessed externally and takes the form of an examination, this is Further study of the theory of Product Design. It covers how they are designed and manufactured in greater detail with regard to commercial aspects and the influences of product design. We also cover the effects of design and technological changes on society, discussing the ‘new’ industrial age of high-technology production and issues related to local/global production. It also examines design and culture covering Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Bauhaus, Memphis and modern design movements.
Unit 4
Commercial Product Development: is assessed internally and moderated by the exam board. This is a design and make project but it must be client based and the candidates must design a product for their chosen clientele.
The project should reflect their knowledge and skills that they have gained throughout the study of the subject and be focused on commercial product manufacture.
The School has been selected to participate in the Arkwright Scholarship Scheme, through which candidates can be awarded financial help to take the A level Design Technology course. The award is given following a national examination and interviewing procedure carried out in the January of the year in which GCSE is taken.
Design and Technology provides an opportunity to embark on real-life problem solving, and to gain some of the research tools essential for the future. It is hard work but is one of the most satisfying of all the sixth form courses.
Progression:
After successfully completing the GCE A-level Design and Technology subject (combined with another two relevant GCE A-level subjects) you will be able to apply to university to study a degree course relevant to art and design, product design, industrial design, product manufacture, architecture, engineering and other design or manufacture based course.
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