Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

During the first year students will work through a combination of theory-based material and workshop projects that give them hands-on experience of making and materials. In addition to the taught elements, the course will include Design trips to London exhibitions and Galleries and local manufacturing units. The second year focuses on the ‘Iterative Design Challenge’, a major design and make project of the student's individual choice. This project makes up 50% of the qualification, the other 50% is exam-based. A Level of Product Design will encourage you to: - Be open to taking design risks, showing innovation and enterprise whilst considering their role as responsible designers and citizens - Develop intellectual curiosity about the design and manufacture of products and systems and their impact on daily life and the wider world - Work collaboratively to develop and refine their ideas, responding to feedback from users, peers and expert practitioners - Gain an insight into the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries. - Develop the capacity to think creatively, innovatively and critically through focused research and the exploration of design opportunities arising from the needs, wants and values of users and clients - Become independent and critical thinkers who can adapt their technical knowledge and understanding to different design situations - Develop an experienced understanding of iterative design processes that are relevant to industry practice - Be able to create and analyse a design concept and use a range of skills and knowledge from other subject areas, including mathematics and science, to inform decisions in design and the application or development of technology - Be able to work safely and skilfully to produce high-quality prototypes/products - Have a critical understanding of the wider influences on design and technology, including cultural, economic, environmental, historical and social factors.