Product Design

Your Title Goes Here

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Year 10

Product Design covers many areas as there are so many consumer products designed, made and sold to different target markets. Product Design is creatively thinking of new ideas for either new products that solve problems or redesigning existing products so they are better and help improve people’s lives.

It involves many skills that students will learn through the course such as:

  • creative thinking
  • drawing and presentation skills
  • CAD – 2d design and 3d CAD
  • CAM – Laser cutting and rapid proto-typing
  • making skills
  • modelling skills
  • research
  • extended writing
  • ICT
  • group work and working together
  • independent working
  • time management

Product design is not restricted to one area of design such as furniture or vehicles as product designers are more versatile and use their skill sets to solve problems.

Good design can be simple and uses a range of technologies and materials.

The course (50% practical 50% exam)

Students will do three projects this year. Each project will involve learning different skills and builds knowledge and understanding ready for the exam and coursework in Year 11.

 

The projects are:

  •  sustainable design
  • user centered design

 

Homework: Set once a week

 

What we require from our young designers:

  • Hard work
  • Listen to instructions
  • Be safe
  • Good behaviour
  • Creative thinking
  • Meet deadlines and keep up to date with work
  • Produce homework
  • Effort to improve your skills
  • Be positive and enjoy the course

 

Year 11

There will be a controlled assessed task in Year 11 – this will be done at school. You will have the equivalent of 35 hours to complete the project and to develop a product. The coursework project will have a range of tasks from research to designing and evaluation.

Students in Year 11 have started the project and have chosen from the following design briefs set by the WJEC:

Brief 1: Designing for a sustainable future

Design and make an innovative sustainable proposal to improve or replace an existing product(s).

Brief 2: Revitalised/modernised product

Research and identify a particular product and revitalise/ modernise that product by clearly introducing specific changes.

Brief 3: Enhancing everyday life

 Research into problems that would help a person or persons carry out basic important tasks in everyday life.

 

Coursework: 50% of final grade

Students will need to be independent at times, especially when undertaking primary research tasks and they should explore design possibilities through iterative design methods.

Exam 50% if final grade

Exam: this will be at the end of the year. You will have to answer a variety of questions relating to product design in industry. You will need to use your revision folders to prepare notes and to revise from prior to the exam.

Homework: Practice questions and revision for the exam preparation for the coursework