You would benefit most from this course if you have already studied Design & Technology at GCSE and achieved a Grade 5, or an equivalent Level 2 vocational qualification to merit standard. Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology For the first course component, you will study the “Principles of Design and Technology” which will be assessed through a 2.5-hour examination, contributing 50% to your final grade. The first component will cover the following elements: - Materials - Performance characteristics of materials - Processes and techniques - Digital technologies - Factors influencing the development of products - Effects of technological developments - Potential hazards and risk assessment - Features of manufacturing industries - Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment - Current legislation - Information handling, modeling, and forward planning - Further processes and techniques Component 2: Independent Design and Make Product Component two will be your “Independent Design and Make Product”. This will be a non-examined assessment (NEA) which will contribute 50% to your final grade. For this element, you will produce a substantial design, make, and evaluate a project which will consist of a portfolio of evidence and a final prototype product. There will be four parts to the assessment, covering the identification of a design problem, developing the design, making the prototype, and evaluating both the design and the final prototype.