Introduction
Building on the GCSE in Design and Technology, this course will extend the depth of your knowledge of technical principles, designing and making techniques, and sustainable design thinking as well as introducing some key concepts from the design and manufacturing industries. You will continue to develop your making and modelling skills, using various techniques and materials, including CAD/CAM and workshop practice; these are crucial for developing your ideas and presenting your final prototype for assessment. As a Product Design course, the content is applied to the world of design and manufacturing, using actual product examples where possible and is intended to support your design thinking and contextualise your knowledge, rather than be theory for its own sake.
Where does it lead?
This course opens a wide range of career opportunities at different levels in all fields of design and engineering related pathways.
Design and Technology A level provides knowledge and experience that can be applied across multiple specialisms; graphic, interior, product or industrial design, architecture, construction and structural design, mechanical, CAD/CAM and design engineering, to name but a few. The course provides students with the skills needed to generate, present and model their ideas and supports further study or employment in all design related disciplines.
Course details
1. Written exam “Principles of design and technology”
2.5 hours, 50% of marks, externally assessed.
2. Independent design and make project
Design portfolio and manufactured prototype, 50% of marks, internally assessed.