Unit 1 - Portfolio of Creative Skills

Examination to be taken in June of Year 12

In this unit students are given the opportunity to develop their creative, technical and practical skills through a series of product investigation, design and manufacturing activities.

Students will produce one portfolio with three distinct sections which will demonstrate their flair when investigating, designing and making product(s).

Students can use the same product for the designing and making exercise, but this unit offers the opportunity to choose different products for the three distinct sections as students are not being asked to perform one large design and make exercise but three smaller and more focussed tasks which build up to provide a detailed portfolio of their skills.

Graphic products has two clearly defined pathways, either ‘conceptual design’ or ‘the built environment’.

Conceptual Design incorporates a wide range of 3D products and associated graphics, for example: packaging design, product/industrial design, point of sale display and vehicle design.

Built environment focuses on the humankind surroundings that provide the setting for human activity, for example: architecture, interior design, exhibition design, theatre sets and garden design.

In this unit students can explore both pathways in order to evidence the assessment requirements for the three sections.

Unit 2 - Design & Technology in Practice

Examination to be taken in June of Year 12

In this unit, students will develop a knowledge and understanding of a wide range of materials and processes used in the field of Design and Technology.

Students will learn about industrial and commercial practices and the importance of quality checks and the health and safety issues that have to be considered at all times.

The unit content is divided into four sections, with each section outlining the specific knowledge and understanding required by the student. Specific materials and processes are named and these are the only examples with which students need to be familiar for this examination.

Unit 3 - Designing for the Future

Examination to be taken in June of Year 13

In this unit, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of a range of modern design and manufacturing practices and contemporary design issues.

This unit is based on pupils having a good working knowledge of the use of ICT and systems and control technology in the design and manufacture of products. They must also be aware of the important contributions of designers from the past which may provide inspiration for future design.

The unit content is divided into four sections, with each section outlining the specific knowledge and understanding required by the student. Specific examples are given and these are the only ones with which students need to be familiar for this examination.

Unit 4 - Commercial Design Coursework Project

Submitted at Easter of Year 13

In this unit, students are given the opportunity are given the opportunity to apply the skills they have acquired and developed throughout the course of study, and to design and make a product of their choice that complies with the requirements of a graphic product.

The project should choose a topic from one of the two pathways discussed in the AS portfolio of skills.

In this unit, students are required to design and make a product of their choice. This must contain a 2D and 3D element. A range of modelling materials, including resistant materials can be used, for example Styrofoam or MDF block modelling for concept models.

In this unit, students are encouraged to be creative and adventurous in their work. There are no limits to project selection beyond the time and resources available and the appropriateness of selection in meeting individual students’ potential.

In order to reach high attainment levels, students must adopt a commercial design approach to their work, reflecting how a professional designer might deal with a design problem and its resolution.

The choice of problem should have a real commercial use, in that it should be useful to a wider range of users beyond an individual, unless it has specifically been commissioned as a ‘one off’.

A key feature of this unit is for students to consider issues relating to sustainability and the impact their design may have on the environment. Sustainability issues could include materials production and selection, manufacturing processes, use of the products and its disposal / recycling.

Lunchtime and after school workshops intended to help students with 1:1 time with their tutors.

Engineering Education Scheme.

The subject develops a number of key skills including:

• planning for tasks and carrying out planned procedures
• development of creativity and innovative practice
• practical utilisation of skills and knowledge from other subjects
• problem solving
• working with others

Pathways from Graphic products:

• Architecture
• transport/vehicle design
• product/industrial design
• graphic design
• interior design
• design for theatre
• interactive / web design
• packaging design
• point of sale display
• exhibition design
• garden design

Recommended wider reading

This is particularly relevant for those considering further study beyond A-level

• The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
• Developing Subject Knowledge in Design and Technology: Developing Planning and Communicating Ideas by Gwyneth Owen-Jackson
• The Design Experience: The Role of Design and Designers in the 21st Century by Rachel Cooper and Mike Press
• Sustainable Industrial Design and Waste Management: Cradle-to-Cradle for Sustainable Development by Salah El Haggar
• What Is Product Design? (Essential Design Handbooks) by Laura Slack
• Industrial Design: Materials and Manufacturing: Materials and Manufacturing Guide by Jim Lesko
• Industrial Design (World of Art) by John Heskett