AS/A2 Design and Technology: Product Design (level 3)

Is it for me?

The course suits those with an interest in the design and manufacture of a wide range of products and/or technological activity and who are intending to pursue a career in a design-related field.

Assessment is predominantly coursework based.

What’s involved?

AS

Design and Make Tasks

You are required to respond to a given brief and develop a design to manufacture in the college workshops. You will research a given theme on which you will base your design. During this unit you will develop your skills in working with materials, drawing development and computer aided design.

Theory of Designing and Manufacturing

This unit will help you understand the way materials are used in manufacturing products. It will also enable you to understand how important the role of a designer is in industry and the consequences that a designer’s decisions can have in affecting society and the environment.

A2

Design and Manufacture

This unit is exam based - the paper is based primarily on Design and Manufacture and will test your knowledge of AS theory.

Design and Making Practice

This unit is coursework based. You will be required to choose your own design and make project. You will need to submit an electronic (ICT) design folder.

Entry Requirements:

A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades A* to C including English Language, Maths and:

• GCSE Design Technology

or

• GCSE Art and Design.

Which courses go well with this?

This course combines well with many other Arts and Humanities courses and also Science, Maths or BTEC Level 3 Music Technology.

Progression:

The design industry is very varied and the types of course available at degree and master degree include: Industrial/Product Design, Interior Design, Architecture, Furniture Design, Jewellery/Silversmithing Design, Sports Equipment Design, Ceramic Design, Graphic Design, Multimedia Design and Teaching. If you are taking Maths A level and preferably Physics this will enable you to take a degree in the engineering disciplines as well.