Sixth Form - Subjects - D&T: Product Design and Textiles
Design Technology –3D Product Design
Introduction
Product design is one of the most exciting and interesting courses to study at A-Level in the school, and hope that you will come and to share our enthusiasm and enjoy it as much as we enjoy teaching it.
This course combines resistant materials and graphic products into an exciting product design course.
You will work on long term and short term projects that suit your own interests. The work will be challenging and varied and you will develop a wide range of skills, practical, social and intellectual. You must be hard-working, creative and experimental in your outlook and approach.
During the course you will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of designing and making options including producing a gadget for the future, lighting and research project on a topical product design theme. These will expand your repertoire of skills and allow you to fulfil the criteria for assessment. We follow the AQA syllabus.
Course Details
Both AS and A2 are modular courses based on the design and manufacture of 3-dimensional objects using both resistant materials, graphic products and compliant materials.
Year 1 AS
Unit 1: A 2 hour written paper based on Materials, components and applications.
(50% of AS level, 25% of A2)
Unit 2: Coursework portfolio of 3 projects.
(50% of AS level, 25% of A2)
Year 2 A2
Unit 3: 2 hour Written paper based on Design and Manufacturing
(25% of A2 level)
Unit 4: Coursework- a single self integrated coursework project using any materials or combination
(25% of A2 level)
Subject specific GCSE requirements
A Grade B in a Design Technology subject, a passion for the subject or an enthusiasm to learn about everyday objects and materials.
What can I do with Product Design?
Design and Technology plays an increasingly important role in the world. The skills that you learn on this course and the qualification you will achieve will help you to qualify for an enormous range of higher education and work.
Careers that could be considered include:
- Architecture, landscape and town planning
- Interior and product design
- Jewellery and furniture design
- Exhibition design
- Industrial design
- Design management
- Sport product design
- Automotive design
Design Technology – Textiles – AS exams 2009 onwards/ A2 exams 2010 onwards
AQA
Introduction
The course extends the study of GCSE Design Technology Textiles and allows students to develop specialisms and skills. The depth and breadth of study is designed to engage the student and guide her/him towards achieving unique, innovative and challenging coursework pieces. These can be collated into a portfolio suitable for submission to colleges and universities offering fashion, textiles and clothing related courses. A Design Technology A level is also beneficial for those wanting to go into engineering, medicine, primary teaching or any creative degree subject.
During the course you will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of designing and making options including fashion and clothing, accessories, interior and novel products. These will expand your repertoire of skills and allow you to fulfil the criteria for assessment.
Coursework form a major part of both AS and A2 courses and requires considerable personal commitment. Access to sewing machine at home is strongly recommended as practical work will form part of homework tasks.
The course includes several exciting visits – a Savile Row tailors, The Clothes Show and a bi-annual visit to Milan.
Course details
AS Unit 1 - Materials and Components - assessed via a 2 hour examination paper
Unit 2 - Coursework - a single project or portfolio containing aspects of industrial practice (50 hours)
A2 Unit 3 – Design and Manufacture – assessed via a 2 hour examination paper
Unit 4 - Coursework – a single, substantial design and make activity (60 hours)
AQA’s assessment structure has been designed to achieve a balance between rigour, reliability and demands on candidates.
Subject specific GCSE requirements
Minimum grade B or higher in Design Technology Textiles, higher tier.
A dress and jacket combination made from recycled garments including men's shirts and bubble wrap.
A wool tweed and leather piped fitted waistcoat with an equestrian theme.
A silk chiffon blouse with reversable waistcoat decorated at the lapel with CAD embroidery
A fitted knee length evening gown in stretch metallic crepe with rope neckline detail