Design Technology: Product Design

“The best way to predict the future is to design it” – Buckminster Fuller

At Thomas Mills High School and Sixth Form we follow the Edexcel A-Level Design and Technology: Product Design (9DT0) specification, it is an exciting and creative course that encourages students to become innovative problem-solvers, combining practical skills with an understanding of modern design, engineering and manufacturing. The qualification develops students’ ability to design and make products that respond to real-world needs while considering issues such as sustainability, user requirements and commercial viability.

Throughout the course, students explore a wide range of materials, processes and technologies, learning how products are designed, developed and manufactured in today’s rapidly changing world. They gain valuable experience in research, design communication, modelling, prototyping and evaluation, while also developing analytical, mathematical and technical skills.

A major element of the course is the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA), where students undertake an independent design-and-make project. Working from a real-world design context, students identify a problem or opportunity, conduct research, generate and develop ideas, manufacture a prototype, and evaluate their final product. This project allows students to demonstrate creativity, independence and practical application of the knowledge gained throughout the course.

Assessment: The qualification is assessed through:

Written examinations (50%) assessing knowledge, understanding and application of design and technology principles.
Non-Examined Assessment (50%), an extensive design-and-make project completed during the course.

The course is highly valued by universities and employers because it combines creativity, technical understanding and practical application, preparing students for a wide range of future pathways in both design and technology-related industries.

Year 12

Term 1

Mini Projects

Wood joints (Timber)
Hanging basket holder (Metals and modelling)
Modern Style bird box (timber and design)
Airfix model kit (fine detail and precision)

Theory

1.1 Woods
1.2 Metals
1.3 Polymers
1.4 Composites
1.5 Papers and Boards
1.6 Textiles
1.7 Smart and modern materials
2 Performance characteristics of materials

Knowledge:

This term will be mainly focused on the developing the practical work skills of the students through multiple mini make projects and covering the materials theory (section 1) . Students will also work on their design and graphical skills both on paper and computer.

Skills development projects

Wood joints (Timber)
Hanging basket holder (Metals and modelling)
Airfix model kit (fine detail and precision)
Modern Style bird box (timber and design)
Section 1 Materials – 1.1 Woods
Section 1 Materials – 1.2 Metals
Section 1 Materials – 1.3 Polymers
Section 1 Materials – 1.4 Composites
Section 1 Materials – 1.5 Papers and Boards
Section 1 Materials – 1.6 Textiles
Section 1 Materials – 1.7 Smart and modern materials
Section 2 Performance characteristics of materials

Skills:

Students will work through a variety of mini projects and design design challenges to improve their skills, they will cover the following areas:

To be able to create a range of accurate wood joints, including measuring and marking out, dimensional awareness.
To create a high-quality metal hanging basket holder using a variety of techniques and showing card modelling.
To use their knowledge of timbers and design to create a modern style bird box with quality design ideas and final working drawing.
To follow instructions to create an accurate looking airfix model kit.
Past Exam questions testing of knowledge on different theory sections.

Useful Links

Exam board and course information
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/design-technology-product-design-2017.html

Seneca
https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/

SketchUp for Web
Google SketchUp for web and use your school Microsoft account to login.

BBC Bitesize – Edexcel timbers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zhyny4j/revision/1

YouTube – watching YouTube channels like “How its made” and Mega Factories” is great for understanding manufacture and production methods.

Assessments:

There are 6 Standardised Assessed Tasks for this term. They are:

Standardised Assessed Task 1: End of Section 1 and 2 (exam style questions) (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 2: Wood joints (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 3: Hanging basket holder and modelling (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 4: Airfix model kit (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 5: modern style bird box with design work (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 6: November Assessment (Past paper style) (Marked and graded)

Term 2

Mini Projects

Spice Rack

Theory

3.1 Processes, techniques and specialist tools.
3.2 Application of measuring tools.
3.3 Communication of information and ideas
3.4 Joining techniques
3.5 Finishing methods
4 Digital technologies
5.1 User centred design
5.2 Anthropometrics and ergonomics
5.3 Design of products
5.4 Design movements

Knowledge:

This term will be mainly focused on the further development of practical work skills through a design and make project (Spice rack) and the theory will focus on the processes, techniques and specialist tools for product design.

Spice rack design and manufacture with a focus on lamination of timbers and dimensional accuracy
Section 3 – 3.1 Processes, techniques and specialist tools
Section 3 – 3.2 Application of specialist measuring tools and equipment
Section 3 – 3.3 Use of media to convey design decisions, to record to recognise standards, explain and communicate information and ideas
Section 3 – 3.4 Permanent and semi-permanent jointing techniques
Section 3 – 3.5 Finishing techniques and methods of preservation
Section 4 – Digital technologies
Section 5 – 5.1 User centred design
Section 5 – 5.2 Anthropometrics and ergonomics
Section 5 – 5.3 The influence of aesthetics, ergonomics and anthropometrics on the design, development and manufacture of products
Section 5 – 5.4 Design theory through the influences and methods of the key historical movements and figures

Skills:

To design and create a high quality spice rack demonstrating neat joints and a variety of wood working techniques including laminating.
Development of CAD and sketching techniques.
Past Exam questions testing of knowledge on different theory sections.

Useful Links

Exam board and course information
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/design-technology-product-design-2017.html

Seneca
https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/

SketchUp for Web
Google SketchUp for web and use your school Microsoft account to login.

BBC Bitesize – Edexcel timbers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zhyny4j/revision/1

YouTube – watching YouTube channels like “How its made” and Mega Factories” is great for understanding manufacture and production methods.

Assessments:

There are 4 Standardised Assessed Tasks for this term. They are:

Standardised Assessed Task 1: Spice rack. (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 2: sketching, CAD and working drawings for spice rack (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 3: End of section assessments using exam style questions (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 4: Trial Exam using past paper questions (Marked and graded)

Term 3

NEA

1.1 Identify a problem
1.2 Research
1.3 Specification
2.1 Design Ideas

Theory

6 Technological developments
7 Safe working practices
8.1 Production methods
8.2 Quality monitoring systems
8.3 Modern manufacturing

Knowledge:

As we move into term 3 of Year 12 we move our focus to starting the NEA coursework assessment. Students will have gained the skills need to be able to carry out this extended project.

NEA – 1.1 Identification and investigation of a design possibility
NEA – 1.2 Investigation of needs and research
NEA – 1.3 Specification
NEA – 2.1 Design ideas
Section 6 – Effects of technological developments
Section 7 – Safe working practices, potential hazards and risk assessments
Section 8 – 8.1 Methods of production
Section 8 – 8.2 Quality monitoring systems.
Section 8 – 8.3 Modern manufacturing methods and systems when designing for manufacture for small, medium and large-scale production

Key skills and learning outcomes:

NEA – Possible design problems
NEA – Possible clients
NEA – Chosen client and problem
NEA – research
NEA – Design Brief and Specification
NEA – Initial design ideas

Useful Links

Exam board and course information
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/design-technology-product-design-2017.html

Seneca
https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/

SketchUp for Web
Google SketchUp for web and use your school Microsoft account to login.

BBC Bitesize – Edexcel timbers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zhyny4j/revision/1

YouTube – watching YouTube channels like “How its made” and Mega Factories” is great for understanding manufacture and production methods.

Assessments:

There are 5 Standardised Assessed Tasks for this term. They are:

Standardised Assessed Task 1: NEA section 1.1. (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 2: NEA section 1.2 (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 3: NEA section 1.3 (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 4: End of section assessments (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 5: End of year trial exam using past paper questions (Marked and graded)

Year 13

Term 1

NEA

2.1 Design ideas
2.2 Development of ideas
2.3 Final design
2.4 Review of final design

Theory

9.1 Product life cycle
9.2 Cleaner technologies
10.1 Consumer rights
10.2 H&S
11.1 Analysis of information
11.2 Modelling the costing of projects
11.3 Intellectual property
11.4 Manufacturing standards

Knowledge:

The start of Y13 continues with the focus on the development of a solution to the design problem in the NEA and also the continued exam theory units.

NEA – 2.1 Design ideas – carry on from Y12 Autumn term
NEA – 2.2 Development of ideas
NEA – 2.3 Final Design
NEA – 2.4 Review of Final Design
Section 9 – 9.1 ‘cleaner’ design and technology – a products life cycle and sustainable development issues
Section 9 – 9.2 The wider issues of using cleaner technologies
Section 10 – 10.1 Consumer rights legislation
Section 10 – 10.2 Health and safety laws and regulations
Section 11 – 11.1 Collection, collation and analysis of information
Section 11 – 11.2 Modelling the costing of projects
Section 11 – 11.3 Protecting the intellectual property rights of designers, inventors and companies
Section 11 – 11.4 Standards when developing designs and manufacturing products

Skills and outcomes:

NEA – range of varied and imaginative design ideas
NEA – development of chosen design idea showing an iterative approach
NEA – modelling both CAD and real life
NEA – Final design working drawings
NEA – Review of final design
NEA – Start of construction

Useful Links

Exam board and course information
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/design-technology-product-design-2017.html

Seneca
https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/

Sketch a day on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBtSgEZk914z5InEs_U2J3w

SketchUp for Web
Google SketchUp for web and use your school Microsoft account to login.

YouTube – watching YouTube channels like “How its made” and Mega Factories” is great for understanding manufacture and production methods.

Assessments:

There are 5 Standardised Assessed Tasks for this term. They are:

Standardised Assessed Task 1: NEA section 2.1 (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 2: NEA section 2.2 (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 3: NEA section 2.3 (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 4: End of section assessments (Marked and graded)

Standardised Assessed Task 5: Autumn trial exam (Marked and graded)

Term 2

NEA

3 Manufacture
4 Test and Evaluate

Theory

12.1 Evaluation of designs.
12.2 Project management
12.3 Product life cycle

This term will be mainly focused on the completion of the manufacture of the product for NEA and the completion of the paperwork. We also complete the theory and carry out some exam preparation.

NEA – Section 3 – Manufacture of product
NEA – Section 4 – Testing and Evaluation
Section 12 – 12.1 – Strategies, techniques and approaches to explore, create and evaluate design ideas
Section 12 – 12.2 – Project management strategies
Section 12 – 12.3 – The stages of a products life cycle

Skills and learning outcomes: