Product Design

Product Design

George Lovegrove's Waiter's Trolley

Product Design

Hannah Giles' Rocking Horse

KEY STAGE 3

In Year 9, students study specific modules that demonstrate the individual characteristics of the Design Technology disciplines we offer at GCSE. The purpose of this is so they can make informed choices at GCSE. The content of these courses is reviewed annually in line with the changes in the GCSE specifications.

At the end of the year students complete an enterprise task called Sustainable Souvenirs where they work in teams to produce a batch of sustainable souvenirs for a local organisation such as The National Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority or Tropiquaria.

KEY STAGE 4 

Product Design GCSE

This is a course that we helped pilot and have contributed to a text book for. The course requires students to learn how to design and make in a range of different materials including card, metal, plastic and wood.  Importantly, it also values innovation, giving students the opportunity to be really creative with their outcomes.  The course is the first of its kind to allow students to submit their design work entirely electronically.

This is a single tiered course allowing students to achieve the full range of grades from A* - G and is made up of four units:

  • Unit 1: Developing and Applying Design Skills - Candidates produce a Design Folio based on a range of possible starting points, ie 'Design a range of jewellery with a specific theme' (worth 30% of overall marks)
  • Unit 2: Innovation Challenge - A six hour examined design challenge, ie 'Design something to enable people to sit in the shade when on the beach' (worth 20% of overall marks)
  • Unit 3: Making, Testing and Marketing Products - Candidates produce a product and a marketing presentation which is based on the work they have done in either Unit 1 or Unit 2, ie 'Make a range of jewellery with a specific theme' (worth 30% of overall marks)
  • Unit 4: Designing Influences - A one and a half hour exam with questions based on a studied design icon, ie the London Underground Map (worth 20% of overall marks)

KEY STAGE 5

The new OCR Design Technology A Level has been designed to meet the needs of all students studying Design Technology. Students studying any one of the five GCSE disciplines we offer will find opportunities for extended study in this course.

The course comprises four units:

  • Unit 1: Advanced Innovation Challenge. Worth 20% of the A level, this is a six hour design and make activity

  • Unit 2: Product Study. Worth 30%. this is an opportunity to develop a remodelled product

  • Unit 3: Design, make and Evaluate. Worth 30% this is an opportunity to design and make a new product for a client.

  • Unit 4: Product Design. Worth 20%, this is a written exam with questiond specific to the intersts of the students - i.e. food, systems, textiles, engineering etc