Curriculum
We spend one third of the course doing hands on practicals in the workshop throughout both year 12 and 13. We disassemble and analyse products, we will learn a wide variety of manufacturing techniques, all of which support your theoretical studies.
As a student of Product Design, you will expand your theoretical knowledge, imaginative, creative and reflective capabilities through a varied curriculum. You will broaden your understanding of what it means to design for the future through investigating historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences.
Your transferable knowledge and skills will enable you to design for an ever-evolving world with its ever-changing consumer needs and desires, demanding new solutions and innovations in support of a brighter and sustainable future. You will develop investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, and technical skills alongside gaining aesthetic understanding, functionality and critical judgement. These skills will enable you to grow independently, developing, refining and communicating your own ideas and producing your own prototypes. Through your experience of working with a set of briefs taken from real world examples you will develop your theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of materials and CAD software. In short, Product Design is a great course if you are interested in how products are designed and made and you want to make improvements or adaptations for future users.
Progression
Degree courses offer a variety of pathways into FE. Apprenticeships can vary from opportunities with Bristol based global engineering companies, to local architects, designers and manufacturers. Internships in many aspects of technology are also commonplace.
Careers
Architecture, building surveying, building management, marketing, interior design; cybernetics; consumer science; product design; electronics; medical technology; dental technology; building crafts; architecture; vehicle design; furniture making; structural engineering; printing; vehicle maintenance; sign making.
Entry Requirements
Students must achieve six GCSE grades or equivalent at 6,6,5,5,4,4 including Product Design Grade 5.
Assessment
The Exam Board is AQA
2 Exams:
Paper 1: Technical Principles 30%
Paper 2: Design & Making Principles 20%
Non Examined Assessment practical project 50% Coursework
Opportunities for work related activities
You will be given the opportunity to gain work experience in various areas of the Design and Technology field at the end of year 12. You will also go on visits to Ikea and design museums to augment your NEA.
