Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

This A Level course is focused towards consumer products and their applications; you will learn about materials, components, and marketability to understand their selection and uses in industrial and commercial practices of product development. You will design a range of products in Year 12 to meet identified consumer needs, including toys, a lamp, hand held products and architectural models. During this course you will build upon and develop your knowledge and understanding from GCSE whilst also having the freedom to focus in more depth on areas of design and technology that most interest you during Year 13. During the two year course, you will study a range of materials including timbers, metals, plastics and paper boards. You will develop a technical understanding of how products function and how they are made to appropriately support the design and manufacture of your own design solutions. You will learn about wider design principles and the effect of design on users and the world we live in. You will identify market needs and opportunities for new products, initiate and develop design solutions, and make and test prototypes/products. You will develop your subject knowledge, including how a product can be developed through the stages of prototyping, realisation and commercial manufacture. This subject also requires you to apply mathematical and scientific knowledge, understanding and skills.