Welcome

Hello everyone, the AS course which you are to start in September is new. The course up to this year was called Product Design, now it has changed and is called 3D design. The structure has changed significally from 3 units to two units at AS and another two units at A2.
Here is an extract from the exam board,

GCE Design and Technology: Product Design (3-D Design) (2550)

AS outline

At AS level candidates should develop an understanding of a broad range of materials, with emphasis on the life cycle of products, manufacture and final disposal. This specification also considers the broader issues for the designer including the environmental sustainability of products and consumer safety.

The AS specification has 2 units:

Unit 1

Topic list

• Developing an understanding of the physical and mechanical properties in a broad range of materials and components
• The broader issues for the designer including the environmental sustainability of products and their manufacture
• Methods in which materials and components can be manipulated to manufacture products
• Health and safety issues relevant to working with materials
• Computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacture (CAM)
• Ergonomics and anthropometrics, inclusive design, and consumer safety
• The life cycle of products including manufacture, use and functional aspects and final disposal.

Assessment

Written Exam:	2 hours
Weighting:	50% of total AS / 25% of total A Level marks

This paper is based primarily on Materials and Components.
Consisting of three sections:

• Section 1 contains compulsory limited response questions
• Section 2 offers a choice of one question from two
• Section 3 contains one compulsory question.

Unit 2: Coursework

Assessment

Coursework:	Approx 50 hours
Weighting:	50% of total AS / 25% of total A Level marks

Written (or electronic) design portfolio
Revised Candidate Record Form and manufactured outcome(s)
Coursework may take a number of forms; a single design-and-make project, two smaller projects and/or a portfolio of work.

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Okay there is a brief outline of year 1.
Unit 1 - jointly delivered at both sites.
For unit 2
We will adopt a portfolio approach which involves one project each at both schools.

Hope this helps - see the next post.

Mr. Geekie