Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

Great design is an investment in innovative thinking, production, branding and business opportunity that can create value for businesses and support individual prosperity. Innovative design and manufacturing help to provide a competitive advantage to the UK economy. A Level Design and Technology will encourage students to take a broad view of design and technology, develop their capacity to design and make products and appreciate the complex relations between design, materials, manufacture and marketing. In short, it could be the launch pad to an exciting, challenging, rewarding and varied career. During the course, you will learn about a wide range of materials and components (woods, metals, polymers, smart materials, adhesives, electronics etc), design and market influence (environmental sustainability, ergonomics and anthropometrics, consumer safety), processes and manufacture (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture). It should be noted that there is an element of mathematics in the examination theory. You will have the opportunity to specialise in one innovative and well-made product. As part of the course, you may also be encouraged to enter a local design competition and have an opportunity to view a variety of design projects made by students from across the county.