Resistant Materials

Year 7 look at how the Art Deco style originating in the 1920’s had an influence on the design of bridges, buildings (from skyscrapers to cinemas), ships, ocean liners, trains, cars, trucks, buses, furniture, and everyday objects including radios and vacuum cleaners. The students research the style then design and make an Art Deco inspired clock. They learn how to cut and shape plywood and learn about the techniques of drilling and joining using adhesives.

Graphic Design

Year 7 look at the 20th Century design movements of Memphis and Pop Art. They use 2D design to master basic commands and create a logo based on their chosen design to develop a plastic free packaging for a soap product.

Textile Design

Year 7 learn how to thread up and use a sewing machine. They are given a specification to work from and use this to make a storage roll. Each student’s design is individual they create their own pattern, calculating accurate measurements and learn the importance of accuracy during manufacture.

Resistant Materials

Year 8 create a decorative trinket box using a variety of manufacturing skills with timber. They design an engraved decoration for the top using 2D design and the laser cutter

Graphic Design

Year 8 investigate the motions and mechanisms in paper mechanics to develop a postable product which incorporates the use of 2D design and the laser cutter.

Textile Design

Year 8 look at the technique of felting and embroidery to create a purse with an envelope opening.

Resistant Materials

Year 9 design and make a range of pewter jewellery items based on an historical design movement. They also make a timber stand using cross halving joints.

Graphic Design

Year 9 learn about basic electronic circuits and soldering, using CAD/CAM they produce a colour changing lamp. The project is based on ecological responsible design.

Textile design

Year 9 students are encouraged to use the textiles skills they have a learnt to design and make a protective laptop cover. They research textile designer’s work and embellish the covers using a range of techniques including, quilting, tie dye and cut work.

Year 10 will involve learning theory that is required not only for the exam, but also necessary to aid the Non-Examined Assessment. Theory includes studying various materials, manufacturing processes, design movements, product marketing and design issues such as sustainability. Alongside the theory, students also make a range of products, in order to learn skills and techniques that may be incorporated later in the course during Non-Examined Assessment.

This year will focus on the Non-Examined Assessment, students will have a choice of contexts from the exam board to base their project on. Students will design and make a product/prototype of their choice and document the design process as a PowerPoint portfolio for assessment.

Assessment

The examination paper (50% of final mark) is taken in June of Year 11, it is a 2 hour exam. The paper examines subject knowledge and understanding of design issues. The use of mathematical skills is a key requirement and is tested in the examination (15% of the written paper)

The Non-Examination Assessment (50% of final mark) is completed in class time, from June in Year 10 through to March in Year 11.

What else should I know?

Product Design can lead on to an enormous range of design related university courses and careers. Current popular choices include Architecture, Various types of Engineering, Graphic Design, Textile Design, Advertising, Product Design, Interior Design, Landscape Design, Set Design, etc.