Design and Technology

Course summary

Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology - Written examination Subject areas: • Topic 1: Materials – including; Wood, Metal, Polymer, Composite, Textile, Paper/Board, Smart and Modern materials. • Topic 2: Performance characteristics of materials – focusing on working properties of materials • Topic 3: Processes and techniques – developing practical skills including; marking out, cutting, use of specialist equipment, joinery, finishing and drawing. • Topic 4: Digital techniques – including the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) • Topic 5: Factors influencing the development of products – including; influence of the intended user, key design movements, ergonomics, anthropometrics and form vis function. • Topic 6: Effects of technological developments – including; production techniques that have effects on designers and, social, moral and ethical impacts. • Topic 7: Potential hazards and risk assessment – focusing on adopting a safe working practice and reacting to potential hazards. • Topic 8: Features of manufacturing industries – including; production methods, monitoring systems, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages • Topic 9: Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment – including clean technologies and the product life cycle • Topic 10: Current legislation – including; consumer rights, health and safety laws and regulations • Topic 11: Information handling, modelling and forward planning – including; the collection of data, costing, intellectual property and standards organisations. • Topic 12: Further processes and techniques – Including; project management strategies, exploring and evaluating design ideas and market implications. Component 2: Independent Design and Make Project – Non-examined assessment Key areas: • Students individually and/or in consultation with a client/end user identify a problem and design context. • Students will develop a range of potential solutions which include the use of computer aided design and evidence of modelling. • Students will be expected to make decisions about the designing and development of the prototype in conjunction with the opinions of the client/end user. • Students will realise one potential solution through practical making activities with evidence of project management and plan for production. • Students will incorporate issues related to sustainability and the impact their prototype may have on the environment. • Students are expected to analyse and evaluate design decisions and outcomes for prototypes/products made by themselves and others • Students are expected to analyse and evaluate of wider issues in design technology, including social, moral, ethical and environmental impacts.