Design & Technology

QUALIFICATION TO START THE COURSE

Expected basic GCSE requirements for advanced level study - i.e. five
grades A*-C at GCSE. I recommend this subject to dedicated and
enthusiastic students with an interest in design and making. Students
should feel comfortable with basic illustration techniques,maths and
literacy and of course ability and interest in making.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT

AS - design and make project of own choice.
A2 - design and make task set by exam board. A written exam paper.
This course is for the student who wants a career in design and
manufacturing product and industrial design, architecture, engineering and
styling industry.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The course combines illustration, technical drawing, sketching, research
techniques, design ideas, design development model making, hand and
machine tool skills, CADCAM including laser cutting, 3D CNC routing,
manufacture and final evaluation in two complete design and make tasks
(one per year) that are internally assessed and externally moderated.
There is theory work that underpins this designing and two summer written
exams covering aspects of sustainable design, industry and manufacture,
product analysis,mechanisms, design theory, industrial culture and history,
ergonomics, anthropometrics, basic control systems including electronics,
applied science and design in society.
The course is very demanding but very interesting and exciting.We
organise a number of trips and visits over the two years. Last year we
visited Jaguar car plant in Birmingham.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Product design is increasingly recognised by Universities and Colleges as a
universal subject of increasing importance and necessity in our ever
expanding technologically dependent world.