Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

The Product Design course at Littleover is taught by specialist teachers. The course focuses on iterative thinking that will allow students the scope to be creative and develop exciting and innovative products. The course is taught in a specialist room that has access to computers. Syllabus Content: Year 12 The work completed throughout Year 12 will prepare them for the main project (NEA) and two exams they complete at A level. The AS course consists of a range of design and make projects that include: • Hand sketching and formal drawing techniques in a range of mixed media. • Model-making skills using traditional hand tools and using CAM (laser cutter and CNC router). • A CAD skills project, building on the basics taught at GCSE, students compete for a range of exercises to explore more advanced modelling and rendering techniques. • Materials theory looking at the properties of a range of materials and how they are used in modern manufacturing techniques. • A project based on design constraints to include new and emerging technologies, fashion trends and sustainability issues that are relevant Year 13 Main Project (NEA) The NEA will focus on the design of an innovative, commercially viable and marketable product. Projects are possible in a wide range of materials provided the focus remains on a consumer product. As part of the consideration of marketing, graphic design is likely to feature as part the design solutions. Projects with an architectural or interior focus are acceptable, but as these can be very complex, the emphasis is the design of a commercially viable consumer product to solve a specific problem within this focus area. • The ‘Iterative Design Project’ requires students to undertake a substantial design, make and evaluate a project centered on the iterative processes of exploring, creating and evaluating. • Students will identify their own design opportunity or problem from a real-world context of their own choice and create a portfolio of evidence in real-time through the project to demonstrate the range and depth of their thinking, creativity, and skills