AS Level and A Level Design and Technology: Product Design
Love it or hate it, our world is becoming more and more reliant on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and yet, most young
people are unaware of the career possibilities that studying one of these subjects can unlock. Every year, thousands of vacancies go unfulfilled due to a
lack of skills...
According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), the UK is set for a science and technology boom, with the sector accounting for
around a quarter of all new jobs by 2016/17.
Entry Requirements Grade C or above in Design and Technology GCSE including Electronic Products, Graphics, Resistant Materials, Systems and
Control and Product Design Exam Board: OCR (Subject to change since, at time of writing, the qualification is not fully finalised/accredited).
Teacher: A combination of DT teachers led by Mr Fulson
Timetable Organisation: The AS and A Level specification will be taught over 5 lessons per week and students also have one hour of directed study
time each week. The teaching is usually split on a 3:2 ratio between the two teachers.
Main Syllabus Area Product Design is focused towards consumer products and applications; their analysis in respect of materials, components, and
marketability to understand their selection and uses in industrial and commercial practices of product development.
At AS-Level:
Exam: 50% of AS-Level (1hr 45 minutes - written paper)
Technical principles of Product Design

Analyse existing products

Demonstrate applied mathematical skills

Apply their technical knowledge and understanding of

Demonstrate their understanding of design thinking and wider
materials, product functionality, manufacturing processes and
social, moral and environmental issues that impact on the
techniques
design and manufacturing industries

Demonstrate their ability to solve problems
Product Development: 50% of AS-level

Learners will be required to undertake a ‘product development’ in

Their ‘product development’ will be user-centred and will
response to a given context that is open to their interpretation.
either deliver iterative improvements to an existing

Innovative approaches will be required resulting in a final prototype
product or re-purpose a product for alternative use.
that can be tested against the user and the market.

Contexts released on 1 June each year.
At A-Level:
Exam: 25% of A-Level (1hr 45 minutes - written paper)

Analyse existing products

Demonstrate their technical knowledge of materials, product
functionality, manufacturing processes and techniques
1 Product Design


Demonstrate applied mathematical skills
Demonstrate their understanding of wider social, moral and
environmental issues that impact on the design and manufacturing
industries
Unseen Challenge: 25% of A-level (2hr 30 minutes - design/written paper)

Section A focuses on learners applying their knowledge, understanding and skills of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products.

Section B requires learners to reflect on their design task in Section A in relation to wider factors/issues from the design principles.
Iterative Design Project: 50% of A-level (Approx. 45 hrs Non Examined Assessment)

The ‘Iterative Design Project’ requires learners to undertake a substantial design, make and evaluate project centred on the iterative
processes of explore, create and evaluate.

Learners identify a design opportunity or problem from a context of their own choice, and create a portfolio of evidence in real time through
the project to demonstrate their competence.
Method of Assessment
AS-Level:
A-Level Exam:
Exam: 50% Externally Assessed
25% Externally Assessed
Product Development: 50%: Internally Assessed
Unseen Challenge: 25% Externally Assessed
Iterative Design Project: 50% Internally Assessed
Qualities Required
You should be passionate about designing and making creative products. You need to enjoy coursework and the problem solving processes in reaching a
Final Design. Exploring a range of possible solutions using rigorous, analytical and fluent communication skills to propose the most viable conclusion
should be one of your targets.
Links with other subjects
Product design is an excellent choice in any combination of other subjects as it promotes problem solving/creativity in a commercially realistic setting.
Particularly strong vocational combinations might include Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science
Career Prospects
Includes:

Any career within design including Graphic Design, Interior Design, 3-D Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, Marketing, Product
Development and Production, Sports Equipment Developer, Illustration, Trend Predictor, Advertising, Pattern Cutter amongst hosts of others.

Also many kinds of engineering and technical careers including Design Engineer, Special Effects, Animatronics, Music Technology, Automotive
Design or designing any product from a Bicycle to a Formula one race car.
Extension and Enrichment Opportunities
Visits to places of industrial interest are vital to the understanding of Product Design. Many links exist between our department and outside agencies,
and professional help is often sought for project work, involving state of the art processes. Tapton also competes in the Greenpower Electronic race car
series which requires designers and engineers from the Product Design A level.
Co-teachability
The first year of the A level course is designed to be co-teachable with the AS course, so students in any given Year 12 class may be studying for the full
AS, OR the first year of the A level qualification.
2 Product Design