Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

The A Level course involves both practical and design work supported by material, manufacture, critical and historical theory. Product Design is primarily concerned with solving problems and designing to meet a need in a functional and aesthetic manner. Students of Product Design work regularly in the studios and workshops, developing their personal ideas through a variety of media and processes. Students also look at related work by artists, designers, and architects as well as associated subject theory and wider influences upon design. Opportunities to visit galleries, museums, factories, design shows and workshops occur during the course and feed directly back into students’ work. The D&T department offers creative spaces to design, make and test their ideas in a range of equipment including: - Technical and artistic-based drawing (a wide range of media and equipment) - CAD/CAM (including 3D printing, routing, laser cutting and vinyl cutting) - Specialist workshops for wood, metals, ceramics, polymers and digital technology - Equipment includes lathes, band saws, pillar drills, sanders, bag press, planers, TIG and MIG welders, gas cutting and brazing, forging and forming. - High quality model making and presentation skills - Computer modelling with Autodesk ‘Inventor and Fusion’