Product Design
AS & A2
Qualification To Start The Course
Four GCSE's at grade C or above which must include one of the following; Design and Technology (Food, Textiles or Resistant Materials) at grade A*-C. or 3D Design at grade A*C or Art, Graphics and Graphic Products at A*-B or any Vocational or Practical GNVQ /BTEC at intermediate or above.
Description Of The Subject
If you have taken an object apart either to fix it or understand its manufacture then Product Design AS/A2 might be for you. It could be a watch, PC, engine, phone, bicycle, piece of jewellery - in fact any manufactured product that inspires your imagination. In fact, whatever it is will provide the basis for this course.
By doing this and other tasks you will develop an understanding of..
- Industrial and commercial products and practices.
- Materials, components, construction and Technology in Society.
- Product design and development and manufacturing systems.
What You Will Do
- 2 x (AS) 4 x (A2) unit 1 1/2 hour written exams.
- 1 x (AS) 2 x (A2) major practical coursework projects.
- Work placements in design and manufacturing industry.
- Product disassembly reports.
Future Prospects
Recently Gordon Brown (Deputy Prime Minister) told a convention of manufacturers and designers in China that 97% of the worlds manufactured goods were either designed or influenced by British design. He also pointed out that 9% of our GDP in this country comes from the "Creative Design Media". The legacy of good design that comes from our schools and colleges is world class and carries a reputation envied by all. Your prospects in design are as broad and as varied as design itself. There are enormous opportunities for further study with nearly all the countries Universities and Colleges offering everything from Design and Art History, Product Design to Electro-Mechanical and Bio-Mechanical engineering. What matters here is your other A level choices. Even if you do not necessarily want to follow a D&T career then many Employers and Universities see Product Design as a 'life subject'. Finally it helps develop the allimportant interpersonal skills of 'consumer discernment' and 'lifestyle awareness' that are vital in our increasingly technological dependent society.
