GCE A Level - Product Design

Course summary

This course is for anyone who enjoys designing and making and who may want to follow a career in architecture, product design, engineering or an associated industry. This is a course for those who have studied a design subject at GCSE and who see a future at University (Product Design is an Oxbridge-recognised entry qualification) or who may want to take an apprenticeship. It is an extension of GCSE but requires far greater depth of thinking. The subject goes well with maths, physics, art or chemistry. In Year 12 skills will be developed through a sequence of mini tasks so that students can complete the Iterative Design Project. Alongside developing the basics such as sketching, students will look at design theory, post-processing software and CAD alternatives, design detail, design and modelling for manufacture, mechanisms and technical specification, for example. Whilst working on the mini tasks, students will also complete theory modules on manufacturing technologies British Standards and Quality Control amongst others. We visit the Design Museum for inspiration. In Year 13 the course is largely given over to examination preparation with question answering skills, applying what has been learnt in Year 12 and reviewing the knowledge. Year 13 is also the year that the Iterative Design Project is completed. It is substantial and in depth and it is each student’s decision what they choose to make. Previous examples have ranged from electric bikes, stair climbers, drinks dispensers to baby feeders.