Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

These courses offer excellent progression from the GCSE Design & Technology course. They enable students to learn about contemporary technologies, materials, and processes, as well as established practices. Much emphasis is placed on understanding and applying the iterative design process. Students will use their creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants, and values. They will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental, and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning into practice by producing prototypes of their choice. This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and confidence to succeed in several careers, especially those in the creative industries. Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers. The subject content is split into two distinct areas; Technical Principles & Designing and Making Principles. Content will be delivered through a combination of theory, design, and practical work. The A level requires a Non-Exam Assessment (NEA), formerly referred to as Coursework. The NEA will test students’ knowledge and recall of Technical Principles and will allow them to demonstrate Designing and Making Principles by way of investigation, analysis, designing, making, and evaluation skills.