Back to Subjects Menu

Product Design

Why Product Design?

Combining knowledge and understanding with practical skills, activities are designed to provide breadth in creative learning and depth in the application of practical and transferable skills. You develop design solutions, communicating them through a range of strategies including computer-aided design and modelling. Products are made using a range of materials and processes, both modern and traditional; considering the client’s needs and wider issues such as sustainable and responsible design.

You have the opportunity to link your practical work to the commercial market with links to clients such as IKEA. This experience allows you to gain insight into a large company philosophy and the implications of mass production on products you design.

 

What do I need to know?

Exam board: We study OCR Product Design.

Essential Entry Requirements: As well as the standard Sixth Form requirements, you must also have  grade 5 or above in GCSE Design & Technology, Electronic Products or Systems and Control. We would prefer you to have grade 6 or above in GCSE English and Mathematics.

Key Content: Product Design A-Level is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which prepares young people to live and work in the designed and made world. Creativity is a fundamental part of Product Design and many designers believe that thought-provoking, innovative design to be cornerstones of every successful product. A-Level Product Design builds on the experience of GCSE Design and Technology and strengthens learners’ critical thinking and problem solving skills within a creative environment, enabling them to develop and make prototypes/products that solve real world problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants, aspirations and values. The course provides an excellent foundation for students looking towards a career in the wide area of design and manufacturing such as engineering, product design or product development and architecture. This A-Level compliments mathematics, the sciences and art.

What is the work like?

As an example of the kind of work that you will cover during the A-Level course, please find to the right the pre-A-Level material that we asked Year 11 to complete before starting their Product Design course with us in September 2020.

Product Design Phase 1Product Design Phase 2Product Design Phase 3

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Mr Aston will be happy to answer any questions that you might have. You are welcome to email him on timothy.aston@twynhamschool.com.

To ask a Product Design student more about the course, please email student@twynhamsixthform.com and they will be happy to help you.

 

Curriculum Information

Product Design Curriculum

Product Design Roadmap

Assessment

Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology

Written examination worth 50% of the qualification.

Component 2: Independent Iterative Design and Make Project

Non-examined assessment worth 50% of the qualification.

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.

Additional Costs

We provide:  In class access to:-

OCR Design and Technology for AS/A Level: John Grundy, Sharon McCarthy, Jacki Piroddi, Chris Walker, ISBN : 9781510401549

Other costs:  To be met by students

Students need  to buy:

  1. OCR Design and Technology for AS/A Level: John Grundy, Sharon McCarthy, Jacki Piroddi, Chris Walker, ISBN : 9781510401549
  2. Essential Maths Skills for AS/A Level Design and Technology Paperback  by Peter Warne Chris Walker, ISBN 9781510417069

We require a workshop fee of £30 cover materials for Y12. Y13 Projects students will need to fund as this varies from student to student depending on the scale of the project they embark upon

Trips:

Y12 - 2 day field  trip to London  approx. £120 – optional

Y13 – Trip to MINI factory in Oxford approx. £50 - optional