Conception et technologie

Entry Requirements: A minimum grade 6 in GCSE Design & Technology or an interview to demonstrate competence and commitment. The freehand drawing of ideas will always be of paramount importance, however, a high level of graphical skill is not essential. | Exam Board: OCR

Product Design

Why study Design & Technology?

Our Product Design course provides a creative and challenging approach to design-based studies, connecting knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the 21st Century creative, engineering and manufacturing industries. Design and make projects will always be central to the delivery of the course, whilst also enabling students to study the following wider aspects of design:

Matériaux et propriétés
Fabrication et production
Digital Technologies – CAD/CAM
Ergonomie et anthropométrie
Considérations environnementales
Impact social et moral du design
Production et économie mondiales
Mode, style et obsolescence
Systèmes et contrôle
Mécanismes et forces
Health & Safety – BSI, COSHH etc.
Publicité et marketing

Le cours

Our linear A level course consists of three units, taught over two years. Assessment of the non-examined section takes place throughout the course and makes up 50% of the marks. The final two sections detailed below, are assessed in examinations at the end of the course. The current approach to the subject maintains the focus on designing and making activities that the students enjoy, whilst also increasing the academic content that underpins successful product designing. Applied Mathematics and Science based content will be integral to any project-based work or exam paper questions, but only at the level of high tier GCSE.

Unit 1: Principles of Product Design exam – 25% of A level

Students are required to answer questions that cover technical principles, analyse existing products, demonstrate applied mathematical skills, demonstrate their technical knowledge of materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques, demonstrate an understanding of wider social, moral and environmental issues that impact on product design.

Unit 2: Problem Solving exam – 25% of A level

This component has two sections that respond to selected tasks. Section A focuses on learners applying their knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products. Section B requires learners to reflect on their design task in Section A in relation to wider factors.

Unit 3: Iterative Design Project – design and make project over 45 hours – 50% of A level

The ‘Iterative Design Project’ requires learners to undertake a substantial design, make and evaluate project centred on the iterative processes of explore, create and evaluate. Learners identify a design opportunity or problem from a context of their own choice.

Opportunités

Design & Technology helps you to develop skills in creativity, innovation, problem solving and project management, as well as independent, imaginative, innovative and intuitive thinking – valuable skills wherever you are heading. A qualification in Design & Technology is highly respected common currency for most university degrees. Over the past few years, many of our A level alumni have enrolled on product design or engineering based university courses.