Design Technology

Key Stage 3

What will the subject be like?

Pupils will gain a practical introduction to the subject whilst producing valuable finished products. They will gain the opportunity to use all aspects of the workshops and design facilities and develop a project from initial conception through to completion. Recording and monitoring progress will be an integral part of the course.

Lessons per week – 1 double period per week in each of the Upper Third and Lower Fourth

What will be studied?

Health and safety in the workshop is introduced before any project work begins and then the production of a clock in the first term takes the student from drawing designs via cutting out the template and drilling to affixing the mechanism. In the second term a mechanical toy is produced by means of the cam and follower mechanism and then the Upper Third Year finishes with a short drawing course.

The Upper Fourth develops further skills and introduces new design processes. The production of an electronic Christmas display will allow pupils to solder, use a PCB drill, design and make both isometric and orthographic drawings. A night time light is produced in the second term allowing pupils to work in the medium of plastic. For the final term, there is a graphic design project promoting a music group involving the creation of a CD cover, poster and fanzine.

Homework

Homework Is based around all the skill areas that would be required for DT GCSE. This might involve selection of designs, theoretical work, practical work, research, graphics, mock ups and evaluation.

Mr. Tony Hennigan,
Head of Design and Technology

Introduction

The following courses are offered at AS and A2 levels:

  1. Design and Technology Product Design: Graphics
  2. .Design and Technology Product Design: Resistant Materials

Why should I opt for an A level course in Design and Technology?

  • The department has won a number of national awards for the standard of work produced by its students including the AQA A level technology award
  • There are three purpose built technology studios/workshops with ICT facilities
  • Courses lead from GCSE Graphic Products and Resistant Materials
  • Courses are linked to industrial practice
  • Self discipline skills are developed: a pre-requisite for any university Courses are designed to develop creative thinking and to build up skill levels in using different materials, machines, equipment and media

Do I have the necessary skills?

You should have studied Design and Technology Graphics or Resistant Materials to GCSE level. A high degree of self-discipline and an ability to meet coursework deadlines are required, as well as a willingness to develop high presentation skills and to utilise the department’s ICT facilities as an essential part of the courses.

What is the difference between the two courses?

Design and Technology Product Design
Focuses on the skills and processes involved in making products in resistant materials such as wood, metal and plastic. Strong emphasis on Engineering/Product design skills and craftsmanship in manipulating materials as well as creative design.
Design and Technology Graphic Design
Focuses on all forms of Graphic Design, such as packaging, advertising, interior design, desktop publishing and computer graphics. There is a strong emphasis on developing the graphic design skills used in the advertising industry and the use of ICT as a tool in aiding design.

AS/A2 Design and Technology Product Design: Resistant Materials

Aims to encourage a capacity to design and make products and to appreciate the complex relations between design, manufacture and marketing.

Skills: Manipulating wood, metal and plastic, structural engineering, ICT and CAD/CAM

AS

Unit 1 Written Paper 1.5 hours 30%
Materials and components related to resistant materials, classification and working properties of natural and manufactured materials along with components required in product assembly and construction.
Unit 2 Coursework 40%
Major Design and Make project
Unit 3 Written Paper 30%
Processes and manufacture within resistant materials, industrial and manufacturing methods, use of ICT to mass-produce products and systems and control used in the manufacturing process.

A2

Unit 4 Coursework 20%
Product study examining design and production of Resistant Materials product
Unit 5 Coursework 40%
Major project using any resistant material or combination of materials
Unit 6 Written Paper 40%
Design based question on resistant material and industrial process

AS/A2 Design and Technology Product Design: Graphics

AS

Unit 1 Written Paper 1.5 hours 30%
Industrial and commercial products and practices such as quality control and Health and Safety issues and the processes in graphic product design
Unit 2 Product Development 1 40%
Promoting a local area by designing promotional material using desktop publishing, painting, drawing and computer graphics. Also three dimensional point of sale display
Unit 3 Written Paper 30%
Structures and uses for a range of materials, components and processes used in Graphic products. Second paper off question on use of computer aided design and manufacture in graphics industry

A2

Unit 4 Further study of Materials, components and systems with CAD/CAM 30%
Unit 5 Product Development 2 40%
Major project using any material(s) with a graphic theme. Select a project choice such as food packaging, mini disc player, bar design and produce a prototype or scaled model of the product
Unit 6 Design Paper 30%
3 hours with a given theme which is presented to the student six weeks before the exam for necessary researching. Previous themes have included designing signs for an international sporting event and a point of sale display for a chocolate bar.