Design Technology

AS and A Level

“Form follows function - that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.”       Frank Lloyd Wright

Do you like to make things?  Do you have a sense of style?  Do you appreciate products that look good and work well?

A Level Product Design is an exciting opportunity to develop practical making skills and an understanding of design theory. However the demands of the subject should not be under-estimated. Students completing this course successfully will be skilful makers able to select and work with a wide range of graphic and resistant materials. However they will also have a broad understanding of design theory which includes elements of psychology, philosophy, art, ICT, business studies, chemistry, physics, history, maths and more.

Product Design aims to prepare students to live and work in a rapidly changing technological world. The subject requires students to become independent and creative problem solvers, able to identify needs, wants and opportunities and in response generate original design proposals. Students are required to design products to meet a commercial need and consider all aspects of the design and marketing of their products. Designing for quantity production rather than one-off products is an important aspect of the course. It is expected that students will make full use of our excellent ICT facilities including CAD/CAM and graphic software.

Course Requirements
To be successful at A level, students will need to be well motivated, creative and have a genuine interest in design. They must possess enquiring minds and the ability to recognise potential for new or improved products. They must have the ability to research independently, to organise, analyse and present their findings using a wide range of communication techniques. Students should have the skill and confidence to communicate and develop design ideas in graphic form and through modelling in a range of materials.

This A level course is intended to develop skills acquired at GCSE, so those with no previous experience of the subject are likely to find the work extremely challenging.

Assessment

At AS

Unit 1 – PROD1 Materials, Components and Application
50% of AS, 25% of A Level - 2 hour written paper
In preparation for a two-hour exam in June, students will study the following topics:
Materials and Components
Design and Market Influences
Processes and Manufacture

Unit 2 – PROD2 Learning Through Designing and Making
50% of AS, 25% of A Level - Coursework – approx 50 hours
This unit is a ‘design and make’ activity. Students must identify a problem or gap in the market and in response, design and make a 3D product including supporting graphics, packaging and promotion. A design folder must be produced including evidence of research, analysis, idea generation and development, planning, testing and evaluation.

This unit is internally assessed then reviewed by an external moderator using the following criteria:
Context and Objectives.
Plan of Action and Clarification of Problem.
Development of Design Proposal.
Manufacture and Modelling.
Conclusions, Evaluations and Recommendations.
Communication and Presentation.

At A2

The A2 Qualification is very similar in structure to the AS. In the second year of the course students will undertake two further units

Unit 3 – PROD3 Design and Manufacture
This unit is taught as Unit 1 through theory lessons and also assessed by a 2 hour examination and is worth 25% of the A Level.
Based primarily on Design and Manufacture and consisting of two sections
Candidates answer three questions: one question from three in each section,plus a final question from either section.
Includes synoptic assessment

Unit 4 – PROD4 Design and Making Practice
This unit requires students to design and manufacture a commercially viable product  and is worth 25% of the A Level
Coursework – approx 60 hours
Written (or electronic) design folder
Manufactured outcome
Candidates submit evidence of a simple, substantial designing and making activity

Specification: AQA Design and Technology  - Product Design: 3D Design AS 1551  A 2551
Click here to download a copy of the specification for this subject.

Options after A Level Product Design
Upon successful completion of this course students will have the capability and confidence to produce designs and make prototypes using the same procedures and principles used in industry. It is a significant academic achievement, providing an excellent foundation for further study. Students may choose to progress to Higher or Further Education courses in Product Design, but the course is also recognised by employers, colleges and universities as good preparation for subjects such as Art, Business, Manufacturing, Engineering, Architecture, Model-making or Graphic Design.

AS and A Level

Food is a major employer in the UK - a highly competitive and challenging industry offering a wealth of employment opportunities. The introduction of new Advanced level courses provides a valuable pathway to further and higher education for those who wish to study the subject at this level.

The Advanced level courses aim to develop appropriate skills in these areas, including a wide range of practical skills in handling and working with food, applying design thinking and manufacturing processes.

At AS you will study
Carbohydrates, Fats, proteins - Food Science
Additives
Industrial and commercial practice – in preparation of food
Underlying microbiological principles
Preservation processes
Good manufacturing practice

and you will be expected to:
Cook each week, and be creative
Work in a small group
Study independently
Design work
Make visits
Carry out experimental work
Show an ability to test and evaluate their work
Produce high quality products that meet the requirement of a design brief

Specification = Edexcel D&T Food Technology AS 8FT01 A2 9FT01
Click here to download the current specification for this A level course.

AS - Units of assessment
There are 2 units of assessment, one internally assessed, which is a coursework project (60%) and one unit which is externally assessed by a 1.5 hour written examination (40%).

Unit 1 (6FT01) Coursework- Portfolio of Creative Skills - 60% of AS (30% of A level)
In this unit students are given the opportunity to develop their creative, technical and practical skills through a series of product investigation, design and manufacturing activities. Students will produce one portfolio with 3 distinct sections which demonstrate their creativity and flair when investigating, designing and making food.

The coursework is marked internally but moderated by the Edexcel.

Unit 2 (6FT02) Design and Technology in Practice - 40% of AS (20% of A level)
In this unit students will develop a knowledge and understanding of a wide range of materials, components, additives and processes used in the design and production of food products.

It is important for students to learn about the main food components, their physical nature and working properties. Similarly, students need to know the various stages in preparing foods for large-scale production. They must also learn the fundamental principles underpinning food preservation and the various techniques involved.

Quality of food is of major importance to the manufacturer and consumer. It is therefore essential for students to understand the principles of food quality control and good manufacturing practice in the food industry.

This unit will be assessed by a 1.5 hours written paper. The paper will be a question and answer booklet, consisting of short-answer and extended-writing type questions, all of which are compulsory.

A2 - Units of assessment

There are 2 units of assessment, one internally assessed, which is a coursework project (30%) and one unit which is externally assessed by a 2 hour written examination (20%).

A2 Unit 3 (6FT03): Food Products, Nutrition and Product Development (20% of A level)
In this unit students will develop a knowledge and understanding of a range of food commodities, aspects of nutrition, product development and food innovation.

It is essential for students to have a comprehensive knowledge of the main food commodities, their composition, basic processing and typical spoilage patterns.

A sound knowledge of nutrition and its influence on the diet, contemporary lifestyle issues and new product development is particularly important for food technologists.

Similarly, consumer behaviour, demographics, modern lifestyles and sustainable issues have an influence on new product development. It is also important for students to be aware of the influence of new technologies and materials on the development of new food products.

Assessment is by a 2 hour examination paper set and marked by Edexcel.
The paper will be a question and answer booklet, consisting of short-answer and extended-writing type questions, all of which are compulsory.

A2 Unit 4 (6FT04): Commercial Design - Coursework (30% of A level)
In this unit students are given the opportunity to apply the skills they have acquired and developed throughout this course of study, to design and make a food product of their choice.

In order to reach high attainment levels, students must adopt a commercial design approach to their work, reflecting how a professional might deal with a design problem and its resolution.

The choice of design problem should have a real commercial use, in that it should be useful to a wider range of users beyond an individual, unless it has been specifically commissioned as a ‘one-off’. The design problem should provide opportunities for a client or user-group to have input into decision making at various stages of the design and make process.

A client or user-group is defined as any third party identified by a student, that is referred to and who can give informed critical feedback at various stages throughout the design process. Clients and user-groups do not need to be specialists or experts; they can be drawn from any relevant group of people and may include other students, friends or family members.

A key feature of this unit is that students consider issues related to sustainability and the impact their product may have on the environment. A student may choose to design and make a sustainable product, but if they do not, they should still consider the issues of sustainability at relevant points in their designing and making activities.

Sustainable issues include materials, components/ingredients production and selection, manufacturing processes, use of the product and its disposal/recycling.

This unit is internally set and marked by the centre and externally moderated by Edexcel. Students are given the opportunity to design and make a product of their choice. This unit results in the development of an appropriate product supported by a design folder.