- The course offered is DT: Product Design administered by the OCR examination board
- The course is suited to students who have studied Graphic Products, Resistant Materials, Electronics, Textiles or Product Design at GCSE
- Entry requirement is a minimum B grade pass
- In Year 12 students are assessed by two modules
PRODUCT STUDY and ADVANCED INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Over the course of the first year students undertake a project in which they carry out a product analysis exercise on a simple everyday product.
From this analysis they identify a feature which could be improved, this might be the shape of the handle on a product which will make it more effective to use.
Sketches of design improvements are produced and following an evaluation they make a series of development models to try to assess the effectiveness of their designs.
The final evaluation of the models is carried out in a realistic situation which will be used to assess the function of the modified design
This project is worth 60% of the AS grade.
There is an expectation that students should achieve a minimum of a grade B in this module.
Students who fail to reach this level have usually demonstrated poor levels of project and time management, and it is often seen as a good indication of future performance in this subject.
- ADVANCED INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Students have to undertake a timed challenge of 7 hours in which they are asked to create innovative solutions to a problem identified from a pre released theme.
A theme is released in the September prior to the examination.
Students will be prepared in advance of the challenge by carrying out a range of focussed practicals over the course of the year.
These will include:
Product Modelling
Sketching Techniques
Design History
The module is 40% of the AS mark
In Year 13 students are assessed by two modules
DESIGN MAKE, EVALUATE and PRODUCT DESIGN EXAM
Students have to identify a real need and develop a range of solutions by drawing and modelling. They have to produce a set of working drawings which would allow the product to be manufactured by a third party.
The second part of the module involves students realising the design and carrying out a very rigorous evaluation which involves testing as well as developing the design into a commercially viable product.
The A2 examination paper involves students in answering a set design question and producing a solution in 90 minutes
Throughout the course students will develop a range of skills which will build on those acquired through the GCSE courses.
Freehand sketching skills
Students are expected to have a competent level of sketching skills developed at GCSE, these skills will be developed further particularly in relation to the development of 3D Isometric sketching and rendering skills including the use of spirit based markers.
CAD Skills
Students should have used appropriate CAD packages within their GCSE course; in Y12 the use of the 3D solid modelling package ProDesktop is undertaken within the Product study project.
Students skills in the use of this software are developed through the use of a series of structured tutorials. These tutorials are available for access on the departmental website.
The manipulation of photographic images using Adobe Photoshop will enhance the presentation of images within the report.
Research Skills
The Product Study project will further develop and build on Product Analysis research skills acquired at GCSE.
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