A Level Product Design

Qualification Level: Level 3

A-Level Design and Technology: Product design requires students to engage in both practical and theoretical study. This specification requires students to cover design and technology skills and knowledge as set out below. These have been separated into:

Technical principles
Designing and marking principles

Apply to study in Year 9, 10 or Year 12

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Course Units

Technical Principles

Materials and their applications
Performance characteristics of materials
Enhancement of materials
Forming, redistribution and addition processes
The use of adhesives and fixings
The use of finishes
Modern industrial and commercial practive
Efficient use of materials
Digital design and manufacture
The requirements for product design and manufacture
Health and Safety
Protecting design and digital property
Design for manufacturing, maintenance, repair and disposal
Feasibility studies
Enterprise and marketing in the development of products
Design communcation

Designing & Marking Principles

Design methods and processes
Design theory
How technology and cultural changes can impact on the work of designers
Product life cycle
Design processes
Critical analysis and evaluation
Selecting appropriate tools, equipment and processes
Accuracy in design and manufacture
Responsible design
Design for manufacture and project management
National and internation standards in product design

Modules

Assessment method

Paper 1
What’s assessed
Technical principles
How it’s assessed

Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes
120 marks
30% of A-Level

Questions
Mixture of short answer and extended response.

Paper 2
What’s assessed
Designing and making principles
How it’s assessed

Written exam: 1 hour and 30 minutes
80 marks
20% of A-Level

Questions
Mixture of short answer and extended response questions.
Section A: Product analysis: 30 marks
Up to 6 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s).
Section B: Commercial manufacture: 50 marks
Mixture of short and extended response questions.

Non-exam assessment (NEA)
What’s assessed
Practical application of technical principles, designing and marking principles.
How it’s assessed

Substantial design and make project
100 marks
50% of A-Level

Evidence
Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.

Entry Criteria

Entry requirement: GCSE grade 5 in English. Previous study in Design and Technology is desirable but not essential.

A Level Product Design Long Term Plan