Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

Design and Technology (D&T) is an inspiring, rigorous, and practical subject that prepares all young people to live and work in the designed and engineered world. A-level Product Design students will develop their capacity to design and make products and appreciate the complex relations between design, materials, manufacture, and marketing. Where might it lead you? Architecture, Engineering, Theatre Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Furniture Design, and Manufacturing are a few of the possible careers this course leads to. Students are required to cover design and technology skills, knowledge, and understanding. These have been separated into: • Technical Principles • Designing and Making Principles Students are required to cover design and technology skills, knowledge, and understanding. Students provide evidence of this through an external examination and internally assessed coursework. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of materials, processes and techniques, development and manufacture, accuracy of production, ergonomics and anthropometrics, and aesthetics. In addition, they will also develop communication and presentation techniques, including drawing and sketching, evaluating and providing sufficient information to enable others to interpret their design intentions. They will also gain experience in digital design and digital manufacture, CADCAM, and safe working practices and understand how skills and knowledge from other subject areas, including mathematics and science, aid the development of technology.