The study of product design encompasses Food, Preparation and Nutrition, Graphic Products, Resistant Materials and Textiles.
Cohort 7 & 8
Learners will be encouraged to reflect on the skills and knowledge they have gained at primary school. The first four weeks LS’s are designed to ignite learner’s curiosity about Product Design and the design process. Learners will be offered experiences in the different subject areas to develop their understanding of different skills and their applications. In the study periods learners will choose which material/room they want to explore. Master-classes have been planned in the material/ room which the learners may or may not choose to opt into. This will give them a better knowledge about the material possibilities beyond the area they have chosen as many are applicable across the different materials. We have also created guides for each project that the learners can use along with physical demonstrations for new equipment addressing H&S issues.
From Cohort 9, youngsters are able to become specialists in one of the four disciplines that are available, Food, Graphics, Product Design and Resistant Materials. Over the course of the three year GCSE, learners will develop a deeper understanding of their chosen subject specialism, developing practical skills and knowledge. They will work collaboratively with others but will work towards creating a portfolio of evidence, and a final practical design product.
As learners commence the course in Cohort 9, they will learn about the subject and gain the necessary skills through a range of design and make projects using paper based materials and decorative techniques. Throughout the GCSE course, youngsters will learn about a variety of materials and processes including smart materials, CAD/CAM and image processing with programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. They design and make models of their own products using a range of equipment and develop an understanding of how to be innovative and how to problem solve when developing products.
Youngsters will learn to design and make products with creativity and originality using a wide range of materials, mostly wood, metal and plastic and have the opportunity to use a wide range of tools and equipment to manufacture quality procust. During the course, learners are able to develop their skills on computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM), quality control environmental issues and sustainability of physical resources.
Food, Preparation and Nutrition
Food, Preparation and Nutrition teaches learners about the development and production of food products. Youngsters learn about how food products are manufacturer and carry out design and make tasks to enable them to develop their own ideas. They are given the opportunity to make quality products using a wide range of skills from the foundation laid in KS3. Youngsters will learn about the ever changing food industry as it develops products to meet consumer trends and demands.
The Textile course is designed to give learners an understanding of the design and manufacture of textiles through practical projects and theory lessons. They have the opportunity to make quality products using a wide range of equipment and build upon practical skills initially developed in KS3. Learners study areas such as designing skills, making, materials and components, finishing processes, design and market influences, product analysis, environmental issues, process and manufacture including CAD/CAM.