Product design A level

A level product design at Teesdale School and Sixth Form allows students to explore product design in a broad and diverse context. Students will gain a deeper understanding of how commercial and industrial practices work through project work and theoretical studies. Product design is engaging and creative as it allows students to combine theory knowledge, manufacturing skills and innovation during the course.

The course provides students with the opportunity to be imaginative, experimental and express idea’s using different media and techniques. Students are to develop a range of skills including manufacturing techniques, design skills, 3D modelling and the use of CAD software. Topics covered in the product design course include iterative design, technical drawing, consumer requirements and design principles.

Students are encouraged to become independent learners and will gain an understanding of professional designers in their NEA project work. A level product design provides students with the opportunity to go on to study Product design, engineering or graphic design at degree level.

Qualification	A level Product Design
Awarding body	Eduqas
Entry requirements	GCSE at Grade 5 or above in both maths and English. Grade 6 or above in design technology.
Course overview	Product Design is split into core technical, in-depth technical and core designing and making. A level course is made up of four units: Unit 1 - Written paper Unit 2 - Design and make task Unit 3 - Written paper Unit 4 - Design and make task – approximately 60 hours Core technical principles The main features of manufacturing industries, including stages of production, quality assurance and quality control, modern manufacturing methods and systems when combining or processing materials, sustainability, and services to the customer including legal requirements Core design and making principles User-centred design: the investigation and analysis of a problem within a context, and the needs, wants and values of users, to define a design opportunity or problem leading to the production of a design brief and specification to direct, inform and evaluate their design practice.
Assessment	Year 12 Unit 1 - Written (40%) Focus area-specific examination No sections Learners attempt all questions A mix of short-answer structured and extended writing questions A design question Unit 2 – Design and make NEA (40%) Started in the first year of the course Design and make task that should be equivalent to approximately 40 hours work The design work should start with the learner's own challenges Recommend that the work is done both in school and at home, under the guidance of the teacher Design sketchbooks plus a design portfolio. Year 13 Unit 3 – Written paper (40%) Focus area-specific examination No sections Learners attempt all questions A mix of short-answer structured and extended writing questions Questions can come from any part of the specification - core or in-depth knowledge and understanding, core or in-depth design and make Unit 4 – Design and make NEA (60%) It can be started after the AS examination year of the course Design and make task that should be equivalent to approximately 60 hours work The design work should start with the learner's own challenges

Why study product design?

Product design is an academic and practical based subject which is unique to any other. An A level in this subject can lead to university study, apprenticeships, career’s in engineering or other occupations that require professional qualifications. Students often go on to study engineering or graphic design after completing an A level in product design.