Product Design (Resistant Materials)

Pearson

WHY SHOULD I STUDY A LEVEL PRODUCT DESIGN (RESISTANT MATERIALS)?

This creative and problem-solving course gives students practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of career areas, particularly suiting those intending to study or work in engineering, product design or industrial design. The course comprises of three sections; product design, product manufacture and product theory.

WHAT CAN YOU MAKE?

You have the choice of making a variety of products using plastic, metal or wood. You will learn how to process and fabricate these materials in the workshop. For your personal project you are free to make anything suitable for a real client. Previous projects have included making a trainer display for a local business, bicycle maintenance stand for a client, designing interior lighting for a local office and a sculpture for a garden centre.

VISIT

The course will include a visit to the New Designers Exhibition in the summer where you will see lots of degree show work and it is a good opportunity to find out about career opportunities. There will also be opportunities to visit a local metal fabrication workshop and complete a day of welding.

COURSE CONTENT

The first year of the Pearson-Edexcel course consists of an induction course that includes training and sign off on the machines in the workshop, followed by a design and make project. You will learn how to manipulate a variety of materials using the specialist tools in the workshop. This project is ideal for helping create a portfolio for university applications later in the year.

During the course you will be taught how to use the machinery and guided through the design process, with the aid of industry standard computer programmes and 3D visualisation. You will also be learning theory and specialist knowledge about the materials you are using.

Various teaching and learning styles are used in the department. ICT, videos, PowerPoint presentations, interactive whiteboards, internet and self-study materials are examples of resources used. The course includes a proportion of practical, written and research work. Product Design as a subject can be helpful to any student and can be studied with any other A Level subjects. Many Product Design students also take A Level Physics, Mathematics, Core Mathematics, Art or Geography as this is helpful in various parts of the course or related subjects at higher education.

PROGRESSION ONTO YEAR 2

Progression to the second year of the A Level depends on satisfactory progress in the first year, including achieving at least an E grade in the Year One formal assessment and maintaining good attendance and commitment.

The second year of the Product Design course consists of a substantial design and make project. You will be building on the skills you learnt in the first year and using the workshop. In class you will also be extending your theory knowledge. This will prepare you for the written exam.

FINAL ASSESSMENT AT END OF YEAR 2

The design and make project is 50% of your mark. As well as the final product there will be a written design portfolio and photographic evidence of your final product.

There is also a written examination paper taken at the end of the second year:

Principles of Design and Technology – 50% of your mark.

The paper includes calculations, short-open and open response questions, as well as extended-writing questions.

MINIMUM ENTRY CRITERIA

Standard College entry requirements (see page 16 of the prospectus) and a minimum of:

Core Mathematics (Mathematical Studies) is a very useful complementary course for this subject and is strongly recommended as a further (4th) course choice for students who are not taking A Level Mathematics or A Level Statistics options.  See the Core Mathematics subject page for further details (page 78).

WHAT CAN I DO AFTER STUDYING A LEVEL PRODUCT DESIGN?

Product Design can lead to a career in many creative industries, it is also directly linked to engineering, product design, industrial design, graphic design, illustration, architecture, web design, car design and teaching.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students will need an A4 folder to take notes with diagrams in theory lessons. There will be a £35 charge at the beginning of the course to cover the costs of the materials for the induction projects as well as a theory book to aid revision and homework, and equipment for individual students. Students will also receive their own personal storage trays for the equipment and projects. Any student concerned about affordability should speak to the department to see what support is available.