This course will provide you with:

• An excellent progression from GCSE Design and Technology courses in Product Design, and Resistant Materials, as well as vocational courses in Manufacturing, Engineering, and Design.
• The opportunity to develop your own creativity, capability and entrepreneurial skills in promoting innovation and self motivation.
• The opportunity to apply knowledge and understanding to a range of technological activities.
• The opportunity to develop critical thinking and collaborative skills. The opportunity to follow a broad based product design course specialising in understanding the design and making of products made from Resistant Materials, as well as gaining an insight into how these products are manufactured in industry.
• The opportunity to experience work related activities that link to the industrial and commercial world.
• The opportunity to learn and apply new ICT skills through designing and making products.
• An excellent vehicle for developing and demonstrating key skills.

ASSESSMENT
The course is divided into four units of study:

Unit 1 Portfolio of Creative Skills

This is a coursework based unit in which you are given the opportunity to develop your creative, technical and practical skills through a series of product investigation, design and manufacturing activities. You will produce one portfolio of work with three distinct sections which will demonstrate your creativity and flair when investigating, designing and making a product or products.

This unit is worth 60% of the total AS mark and 30% of the total A level mark.

Unit 2 Design and Technology in Practice
In this unit you will develop a knowledge and understanding of a wide range of materials and processes used in the field of Design and Technology relating to Resistant Materials Technology.

You will learn about materials and processes so that you can develop a greater understanding of how products can be designed and manufactured. You will learn about industrial and commercial practices, and the importance of quality checks and health and safety issues that have to be considered at all times.

At the end of this unit you will sit a written examination of 1½ hours based on the content of this unit. This examination is worth 40% of the total AS mark and 20% of the total GCE A level mark.

Units 1 and 2 must be passed before you can be credited with an AS level award in this subject. These units are covered in the first year of the course. The following two units are covered in the second year providing you successfully complete Units 1 and 2.

Unit 3 Designing for the Future

In this unit you will further develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of modern design and manufacturing practices and contemporary design issues. As a potential modern designer you must develop a good working knowledge of the use of ICT and systems and control technology in order to successfully design and manufacture products. This unit provides the opportunity to do this and allow you to build up an awareness of how designers from the past have provided inspiration for modern designers. You will also learn bout the importance of sustainable technology in designing products for the future.

At the end of this unit you will sit a written examination of 2 hours based on the content of the unit.

This examination is worth 40% of the total A2 mark and 20% of the total GCE A level mark.

Unit 4 Commercial Design

In this coursework based unit you are given the opportunity to apply the skills you have acquired and developed throughout the course to design and make a product of you choice. The product must be linked to a client or user group, showing it could be commercially viable. You will have to consider in this unit the impact your product will have on the environment. Sustainability will be a key factor to consider when designing your product.

This unit is worth 60% of the total A2 mark and 30% of the total GCE A level mark.

THE REQUIREMENTS
For this course you will need a minimum of grade B at GCSE in Design and Technology: Product Design or Resistant Materials, or an equivalent grade in a related vocational course such as Engineering, Manufacturing or Design. In addition, students will be expected to be able to have some further background knowledge.

THE FUTURE
Useful for a career in Product Design, Theatre Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Engineering, Furniture Design, Materials Science, Trading Standards Officer, Advertising and Marketing, Architecture.

FURTHER INFORMATION
See Mr T Woodman, Subject Leader for Design and Technology.