Product Design
This GCSE is becoming very popular throughout the country. Product Design has recently been updated and is offering students a real insight into the role of product designer. Product Design is now available as a course to University Degree level. It appeals to both sexes and students really enjoy having the opportunity to really get into a major project.
Product Design is not about designing and making a product for personal use, instead it requires students to consider the needs of a wider audience and to design a product or series or products which could be marketable and appeal to the general public. It will appeal to those students who enjoy designing and modelling; students who have lots of ideas and the ability to create a wide range of different products in different media.
The course comprises two Units.
Controlled assessment
- Tasks are to be set by the AQA, but may be contextualised by centres
- Tasks must be completed under direct supervision, except for research
- Consists of a single design and make activity worth 90 marks
- Candidates will submit a 3-dimensional outcome and a concise design folder
- Folder should consist of approximately 20 pages of A3 or A4 paper
- Candidates should include photographs of the finished outcome as well as of the various stages of the making process
- Candidates are allowed 45 hours to complete the project
Examination
- Two hour paper – untiered
- Section A is the design section and will account for approximately 30 marks
- Section B covers the rest of the specification and accounts for approximately 90 marks
- A Preparation Sheet will be introduced for this specification
What will the course cover?
- Relevant modern developments, e.g. sustainability, awareness of new and emerging technologies
- Increased emphasis upon creativity and innovation
- Packaging, labelling and instructions encouraged as part of the complete design proposal
- Candidates have the opportunity to design and make outcomes using a wide range of materials