This Course uses a wide range of teaching and learning approaches. Candidates are encouraged to adopt a broad view of the process of design and manufacture, take responsibility for their own actions and decisions, devise plans and procedures, develop and organise ideas and solve problems, make use of new and existing knowledge and justify their design decisions.

The Course will also provide candidates with the opportunity to solve practical problems in applied contexts.

AIMS

The aims of the Course are to:

• develop the ability to produce solutions to design tasks
• develop knowledge and understanding of considerations which have to be addressed when designing commercial products
• develop graphic and modelling skills
• develop an awareness of commercial manufacturing processes and materials
• develop an awareness of economic considerations, and the social and environmental implications of design and manufacture
• prepare for further study of product design and manufacture.

COURSE CONTENT

The Course consists of three mandatory Units, each of 40 hours.

Designing Candidates should have knowledge of the design process as applied to commercial products. They should be able to apply this knowledge when producing potential solutions to design tasks. They should be able to evaluate design solutions. Candidates should have knowledge of the issues which affect the design and manufacture of commercial products.

Communicating Candidates should be able to produce a range of graphics and apply a range of graphic techniques. Candidates should be able to produce a range of models by applying practical skills and using a variety of techniques and materials.

Manufacturing Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge of common materials used in the commercial manufacture of products. They should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of common materials which make them suitable for producing particular products. They should be able to identify common materials used in existing products and apply their knowledge of materials to the design of new products.

ASSESSMENT

To gain the award of the Intermediate 2 Product Design Course, the candidate must pass all of the component Units and undertake the external assessment. The external assessment provides the basis for grading attainment in the Course award.

The Course assessment of the Intermediate 2 Product Design Course will consist of two equally – weighted components: ? Question Paper 50 marks ? Design Assignment 50 marks

HIGHER

The Course:

Candidates undertaking Higher Product Design will gain a deeper insight to the processes of design and manufacture, explore strategies adopted in commercial product design processes and appraise the role design plays in everyday life. 

This Course encapsulates a wide range of teaching and active learning approaches, integrating the technological and the creative in the contexts of the industrial world of product design and enterprise.  The candidates are encouraged to adopt a broad view of the process of design and manufacture, take responsibility for their own actions and decisions, devise plans and procedures, develop and organise ideas and solve problems, make effective use of new and existing knowledge and justify their design decisions.

Candidates undertaking this Course will be in a strong position to pursue further study in all areas of design and manufacturing. The Course will also contribute to personal development, including transferable life skills for use beyond school achievement regardless of the career path followed.

Aims:

The aims of the Course are to develop:

• knowledge and understanding of the process and principles of designing
• the ability to analyse and clarify problems in a design context
• an understanding of the issues which influence the design of products
• knowledge and understanding of industrial manufacturing processes and materials
• the application of effective graphic and modelling techniques
• the ability to produce solutions to design tasks by applying knowledge, understanding and problem solving skills
• the ability to effectively communicate and justify solutions to design tasks
• an understanding of economic considerations, and the social and environmental implications of design and manufacture

UNIT DETAILS:

The Course consists of 3 units

• Product Design: Design Analysis
• Product Design: Developing Design Proposals
• Product Design: Manufacturing Products

ASSESSMENT:

The external assessment of the Higher Product Design Course will consist of two equally weighted Components:

• Examination Question Paper       (2 hours)       70 marks
• Design Assignment                                 70 marks