The Design and Technology Department offers two courses at A Level: Product Design and Applied Art & Design. (scroll down to find out more about these courses)
Product Design AS/A2
Why study Product Design?
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Design is all around us and is an integral part of our every day life if you are interested in Design and innovation and want to develop your creativity, imagination and entrepreneurial skills this is the course for you. The delivery and variety of approaches and research techniques will help you in other subjects and your selected career choice.
What will I study?
AS Units
Module 1 F522 Sep 2008 autumn term
60% (AS) 30% (A Level)
A product study: Candidates are required to select a single existing product where they can analyse its strengths and weakness with the aim of improving the product in some way. This improvement is then modelled and tested under normal workshop conditions.
Module 2 F521Jan 2009 spring term
40% (AS) 20% (A Level)
Advanced Innovation Challenge: A theme will be set by the board in advance to enable students to research and put together a collection of useful relevant resource. The three sessions are undertaken over six hours in one day at a time set by the board.
Session 1: Candidates will respond to a series of challenges within this theme that can be attempted from different material backgrounds. Ideas are developed and modelled and the challenge includes a presentation of initial ideas to a working group with opportunities to react to feedback. The session lasts three hours.
Session 2: Undertaken over three hours on the same day as session 1 requires the product to be further developed and modelled to a final idea which can then be evaluated.
Session 3: Is an examination paper that requires candidates to reflect on the product that they have designed in response to two specific questions.
Innovation is the key in this unit as the name suggests. Students are not constrained by the physicals limitations of having to produce a working prototype. They will also be working under pressure for a set time and this reflects what happens in the real world.
Portfolio Skills: Two hours teaching per fortnight are allocated to teaching and learning essential skills that are intended to enhance all aspects of students’ designing and making. The outcomes of these activities are also a valuable portfolio resource, adding to the body of work that students can show at interviews.
A2 Units
Module 3
(30% A Level)
Design Make and Evaluate F523: Candidates select a project of their own choosing to develop to a working prototype that can be tested and evaluated. This can be in any material or combination of materials. Candidates produce a marketing presentation to sell their product to the group.
Module 4
(20% of total A level)
Product Design 2 F524: Component 1 a written paper. This paper has a common core that is covered by each of the eight focus areas: Built Environment and construction, Engineering, Food, Graphic Products, Manufacturing, Resistant Materials, Textiles, Systems and Control. One question is set for each of these focus areas and candidates choose one of these. The paper is designed to identify those candidates who can recall theoretical information.
Component 2: Eight questions are set to cover the eight focus areas above and candidates’ select one question where they are required to respond to a given design situation. The paper is aimed at identifying candidates who can use their experiences and knowledge in designing and making.
What material areas will I study?
Students can focus on one or an appropriate combination of two of the eight focus areas: Built Environment and construction, Engineering, Food, Graphic Products, Manufacturing, Resistant Materials, Textiles and Systems and Control.
How will I study?
The lessons will be a mixture of teacher led activities, individual research, and design sessions. You should be able to interpret data and information given and found and suggest improvements and alternative solutions.
What do I need to start the course?
GCSE grade B or above in a Design and Technology subject (students will not be allowed to study Product Design without a GCSE in one of the five Design & Technology related subjects). You should also have Grade B or above in English. You should be self-motivated and have the ability to exercise initiative, imagination and resourcefulness.
Applied Art & Design
Why study Applied Art & Design?
Although demanding in both time and commitment, we believe this course to be challenging and fulfilling. The course provides the ideal platform for any student wishing to pursue the extensive career opportunities in the design or the creative and visual arts field. It will also appeal to those students who have been successful at GCSE art and design technology and wish to maintain a creative balance in their studies.
What will I study?
The course is wide ranging covering many approaches to creating Art and Design with connections with three broad aims to develop the students’ individual work.
- Applying Knowledge and understanding of others practice
Candidates will show an understanding of work methods used by historical and contemporary artists and designers. - Applying skills, techniques and understanding of different media
Candidates develop ideas by applying and reflecting on knowledge, skills and understanding of media, materials, techniques and processes realising and presenting work that is appropriate to the project brief. - Analysis, synthesis and evaluation
Candidates gather, record and analyse relevant information and evidence, make reasoned judgements, present solutions and evaluate their own art practice.
AS Units
Unit 1 2&3D Visual language
Unit 2 Materials Techniques and technology
Unit 6 Produce set ideas (externally set assignment)
A2 Units
Unit 9 Contextual references
Units 12 - 14 Personal Brief
Unit 11 Develop and produce own ideas (Externally set assignment)
How will I study?
Much of the work will be studio-based. However, students will need to meet the demands of the subject through active research, gallery visits and a broad engagement in the whole area of Art and Design. We also offer a regular study visit abroad, run occasional life classes and involve students with visiting artists and lecturers.
What do I need to start the course?
GCSE grade B or above in a Design and Technology subject is strongly recommended (students will not be allowed to study Product Design without a GCSE in one of the five Design & Technology related subjects). Grade B or above in English is also strongly recommended. You should be self-motivated and have the ability to exercise initiative, imagination and resourcefulness.
