KS5 Design and Technology:  Product Design and ,Art & Design (Inc  Photography)

Design and Technology:  Product Design

Structure  

Product Design  is a 2 year course. 

Year 1: All work produced during Year 1 is internally assessed. This year is used as a foundation to Year 2. 

Year 2: The overall A Level qualification is broken in 2: NEA (Non examined assessment) which is a single substantial Design and Make Task  (50%) and two exams based on technical knowledge and design & make principles (50%)

Content

This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. Especially those in the creative industries. They will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning in to practice by producing prototypes of their choice. Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers. 

Non Examination Assessment  - NEA (Worth 50% of the course )

• Single substantial design and make task
• Written or electronic portfolio. Must include photographic evidence of practical outcome.

Students  will have the opportunity to generate their own context to base their design and make tasks on.

Possible Contexts…..

• Home gardening with limited space
• Inclusive/adjustable products to suit a range of users 
• Bike maintenance and secure storage
• Outdoor living/entertainment
• Outdoor learning
• Compact travel
• Sports equipment transport/storage
• Living with arthritis

Exam Information (Worth 50% of course) 

Written Paper 1: Technical Principles 30% 2 h 30

• 120 marks
• Mixture of short and extended response
• Maths questions in DT a D&T context

Written Paper 2: Designing and Making Principles 20% 1h 30

• 80 marks
• Mixture of short and extended response
• Product analysis questions
• Commercial manufacture questions

Technical Knowledge covered - 

A-level Design and Technology: Product Design requires students to engage in both practical and theoretical study. This specification requires students to cover design and technology skills and knowledge as set out below. These have been separated into: 

• technical principles
• designing and making principles

Art and Design

Structure  

Art and Design is a 2 year course. 

Year 1: All work produced during Year 1 is internally assessed. This year is used as a foundation to Year 2. 

Year 2: The overall A Level qualification is broken in 2: Component 1 (60%) and Component 2 (40%); both components are externally assessed. 

Content/Topics

Our Art and Design courses give our students the skills and knowledge to create personal and imaginative work. Students can choose to focus on a specialist area of study from a variety of exciting processes and media to suit their individual interests and abilities. They encourage students to explore the world around them creatively and help to develop questioning and analytical skills to help them communicate their ideas in different ways. 

We currently offer 2 Art and Design courses at A Level: 

• Art, Craft and Design
• Photography
   

Year 1 -  Development of skills:

Art, Craft and Design:

Students will experience a range of practical workshops designed to enhance skills and develop confidence. They will explore different 2D and 3D art making processes and techniques based on selected themes. Students will expand their skills in researching and responding to the work of other artists and designers. Students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills through verbal and written tasks. Students are required to review their learning and refine their skills so that they can develop ideas and create a personal outcome. A mini independent project at the end of Year 1 prepares students for Year 2 of this course.

Photography:

Students will explore the capabilities of their cameras and develop knowledge of manual settings: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Students will experiment with lighting and composition, as well as a range of photographic media, techniques and processes.

Projects are thematic and include a variety of topics including a sustained project on ‘Formal Elements’ which provides the opportunity for students to capture the world around them, from new, unusual, and exciting perspectives. There will be opportunities to shoot a variety of subjects including landscapes and portraits, both on location and in our photographic studio. Students will research and study the work of different photographers to inspire and influence their studies. Photoshop skills will also be developed and experimentation encouraged. Students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills through verbal and written tasks. Students are required to review their learning and refine their skills so that they can develop ideas and create a personal outcome. A mini independent project at the end of Year 1 prepares students for Year 2 of this course.

Year 2 -  Component 1:

For both Art and Design courses students will carry out a Personal Investigation on a topic of their choice. This unit of work is worth 60% of the overall A- Level qualification. The project is self negotiated and sustained. Students are required to develop an in-depth practical investigation including:

• An illustrated essay  (1000-3000 words)
• A sketchbook of practical/contextual work
• A final practical response

Year 2 -Component 2:

For both Art and Design courses students will carry out an Externally Set Assignment. This unit of work is worth 40% of the overall A-Level qualification. In February of Year 2 the exam board will release a paper containing a number of themes. Students are required to choose 1 theme. They will develop a portfolio of work during their preparatory period  before sitting a 15 hour exam where they will create their final outcome.