What Will Students Learn?
Students develop the ability to design, prototype and evaluate real-world products. They explore the full lifecycle of product design - from initial research and specification, through material selection, manufacturing processes, digital design and modelling (CAD/CAM), to testing, evaluation and refinement.
Key themes include: understanding different types of materials and their performance characteristics; mastering manufacturing techniques; using digital technologies for rapid prototyping. Students also examine user-centred design, ergonomics, sustainability, environmental impact, and relevant legislation.
Students produce a substantial Design and Make Project involving identifying a problem, researching solutions, generating design proposals, creating a prototype, testing it, and evaluating against the original specification.
Skills & Understanding Developed
- Technical drawing, CAD/CAM design, modelling and prototyping skills
- Understanding of material science: material properties, durability, sustainability
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes and production techniques
- Problem-solving and design thinking - identifying user needs, generating solutions, iterating prototypes
- Project management: planning, time management, resource allocation, risk assessment
- Environmental and ethical awareness - designing for sustainability, waste reduction, compliance with legislation
Examination Structure
| Component | Type | Duration / Format |
|---|---|---|
| Component 1 - Principles of Design and Technology | Written Examination - 50% (120 marks) | 2 hours 30 minutes; short answer, extended writing, calculations, design evaluation, technical drawing |
| Component 2 - Non-Examined Assessment (NEA): Design and Make Project | Coursework / Project - 50% (120 marks) | Portfolio + practical prototype + evaluation based on a real-world problem |
Higher Education & Career Pathways
- Architecture - degrees in Architecture or careers in building design and spatial planning
- Civil and Structural Engineering - university programs in Civil or Structural Engineering
- Construction Management and Quantity Surveying
- Industrial and Product Design - degrees combining creative design with engineering principles
- Building Services and Environmental Engineering - sustainable building systems and energy-efficient design
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