The A Level in Product Design is for students that have studied Design and Technology at GCSE level and wish to further their knowledge and understanding of materials, processes and techniques that can be applied within creative / engineering industries.

The course is designed to:

Equip students with design skills for the future - Students will be able to recognise design needs and develop an understanding of how current global issues, including integrating technology, impacts on today’s world.

Encourage creativity and innovation - At A level students will have the confidence to innovate and produce creative design solutions as they develop their own design brief with a client/end user.

The course is assessed through two separate components each weighted equally at 50%. 

Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology –

Written Examination 2hours 30 minutes (50% of qualification)

Students will be required to apply knowledge and understanding of a wide range of topics in the following areas:

Topic 1: Materials

Topic 2: Performance characteristics of materials

Topic 3: Processes and techniques

Topic 4: Digital technologies

Topic 5: Factors influencing the development of products

Topic 6: Effects of technological developments

Topic 7: Potential hazards and risk assessment

Topic 8: Features of manufacturing industries

Topic 9: Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment

Topic 10: Current legislation

Topic 11: Information handling, Modelling and forward planning

Topic 12: Further processes and techniques

The paper includes also includes calculations, short-open and open-response questions, as well as extended-writing questions focused on:  analysis and evaluation of design decisions and outcomes, against a technical principle, for prototypes made by others, analysis and evaluation of wider issues in design technology, including social, moral, ethical and environmental impacts.

Component 2: Independent Design and Make Project –

Non-examined assessment (50% of qualification)

The purpose of this component is to undertake a substantial design, make and evaluate project which will test students’ skills in designing and making a prototype.

The context of the component is tailed so that that:

• Students individually and/or in consultation with a client/end user identify a problem and design context.
• Students will develop a range of potential solutions which include the use of computer aided design and evidence of modelling.
• Students will be expected to make decisions about the designing and development of the prototype in conjunction with the opinions of the client/end user.
• Students will realise one potential solution through practical making activities with evidence of project management and plan for production.
• Students will incorporate issues related to sustainability and the impact their prototype may have on the environment
• Students are expected to analyse and evaluate design decisions and outcomes for prototypes/products made by themselves and others
• Students are expected to analyse and evaluate of wider issues in design technology, including social, moral, ethical and environmental impacts.

Students will be assessed on the following areas:

• Part 1: Identifying and outlining possibilities for design Identification and investigation of a design possibility, investigation of client/end user needs, wants and values, research and production of a specification
• Part 2: Designing a prototype Design ideas, development of design idea, final design solution, review of development and final design and communication of design ideas
• Part 3: Making a final prototype Design, manufacture and realisation of a final prototype, including tools and equipment and quality and accuracy
• Part 4: Evaluating own design and prototype Testing and evaluation

• The investigation report is internally assessed and externally moderated.
• Students will produce a substantial design, make and evaluate project which consists of a portfolio and a prototype
• The portfolio will contain approximately 40 sides of A3 paper (or electronic equivalent)

Students require a minimum of 5 grades 9 – 4 at GCSE including a grade 6 or above in Design and Technology. 

This course equips you with a broad range of skills, which will prove useful in employment and as a means of gaining access to University.  Typical career and University options are Bachelor of Arts degree in; Industrial (Product) Design, Architecture, Advertising, Engineering, Editing and Multi-Media.