Albany Senior High School/Coursebook/2PRD

What is this course about?
Level two Product Design runs across the five specialisms of DVC, Digital Technology, Hard Materials, Textiles and Food Technology. All courses show a natural progression following on from level one. There is a common format across the subjects where in the first term students focus on skills development and they are assessed against the advanced skills standards. Terms two and three will concentrate on a project based teaching and learning programme. At level two students need to show independent rigour in their study regarding depth of research and an ability to justify their own design decisions.

A broad working framework where students are guided into appropriate areas and the provision of opportunities where they can transfer classes in order to cover specialised aspects of their design work will be in place in 2014. This means that students will be able to undertake projects that have a multi materials aspect to them or demonstrate a broader skill set ie bringing digital technology skills into a graphical design outcome.

There is the opportunity for external assessment to provide course endorsement where suitable. An ability with literacy and a self managed approach to studies and problem solving will be the underlying requirements for entry into external standards.



What will I learn?
Term 1

Within the chosen subject specialism you will develop the particular skills, knowledge and understanding that applies. Which ever pathway is chosen In the first term the focus will be on the development of those specialist abilities through the advanced procedures standard. You will demonstrate the ability to work competently observing recognised health and safety rules, choosing and using the correct processes, tools and machinery to realise your design. You will be assessed on your attitude while carrying out independent work, for example do you use your time effectively? do you take care with tools and materials? are you able to pre prepare and plan your work. The practical activities in term one will be combined with brief development where you will engage with at least one stakeholder who will help you to develop your design by acting as a client for the outcome. You will decide on a number of specifications and based on ongoing dialogue with the stakeholder you will refine your design. The final outcome will be assessed against the refined brief to gain an understanding of it`s fitness for purpose. Final assessment for these standards will come at the end of term 1.

Term 2/3

The design history section will form an introduction to design eras and movements looking at designers and influential artists from those periods. In Product Design it is important that students see how and why design movements develop and you will make the connections between the changing needs of society and the impact that successful designs have had in improving lives. You will look at philosophy, characteristics, materials and designs. You will also learn to critically analyse existing solutions against the elements and principles of design.

The development of a prototype will run along side this standard and to gain high achievement it is important that you characteristics of your chosen era or movement in your own outcome. Again the chosen topic will vary according to the subject specialism you have chosen but it will be aligned to the advanced skills project completed in term one. This is your opportunity to be creative using the skills base you have developed and to fit yourself into the design continuum by taking good ideas from what has gone before and allowing them to influence a future design outcome. You will need to justify your decisions as you go along in order to gain higher achievement demonstrating that you can use subject vocabulary effectively to describe and justify your own and others outcomes.

What sorts of things will I do?
Digital Technology:

During this course you will learn to:

Use software applications to produce effective and professional outcomes to meet stakeholder briefs Explore the impact and functionality of digital technologies in business and social use Develop advanced and innovative skills in presenting and imparting information to a range of audiences Explore the aspects of digital technologies that assist business and social use Use problem-solving skills to identify and develop solutions Work on collaborative and individual projects

Food Technology:

The year twelve course builds on the foundation of year eleven course. Although the course has no pre-resquisites students who have studied in an area of technology or graphics will have a definite advantage of prior knowledge.

The first project is about understanding the process of manufacturing a particular product and the health and safety requirements that fit over the product. It will possibly be developing a bread product where yeast fermentation will be the investigation and experimentation with different flours and sugars to provide evidence about the fermentation. Also about the gluten content of different flours and the affect on the end product will be investigated.

The second project will be developed from a given brief and through conceptual development the brief will be refined and an outcome will be established.From the experiments in this project a range of different modelling aspects will be looked at

Design and Visual Communication:

Students will produce two and three dimensional annotated freehand sketches to show design ideas using a range of drawing methods. They will also produce two-dimensional instrumental drawings which demonstrate understanding of mechanical perspective. Students will describe and explain design and its implications for society. They will also research information about a design era/designer showing relevance to concepts and developed ideas. Students will make three dimensional models which test structural and technical ideas. The three design briefs for the course involve spatial design, developing and communicating a new product design using a range of graphic techniques and creating a presentation of coursework for an exhibition. Evidence will be produced in A3 portfolios which will contain design development notes and research. They will be supported by visual diary work showing design development work.

Hard Materials:

You will develop skills in literacy using appropriate vocabulary and practical numeracy through marking out an measuring accurately. You will also learn the importance of modelling possible outcomes as an aid to decision making, especially when considering ergonomic and anthropometric detail. In the practical environment you will build on workshop skills using both hand and machine tools through the manufacture of your own designed outcome using resistant materials. You are expected to show that you are able to create an innovative solution to a design problem whch considers not only form and function but which also broader possibilities in terms of the materials and techniques used.

Textiles:

You will develop advanced construction skills, including pattern adaptation, and gain a deeper understanding of fabric properties and how they influence fabric selection. You will also explore issues relevant to a design movement or era and use your research to design and develop a conceptual outcome to meet a refined brief.

Depending on your personal project you may cover, but are not limited to:

Research, design development and refinement within the context of a brief Conceptual development which will include drawing (sketching &amp; working drawings) and storyboards Investigation of existing products on the market Deconstruction activity Study of technologists Investigation into fibre and fabric properties and suitability for end product (fit for purpose) Pattern drafting or pattern adaptation Construction, to include testing,trialling and evaluating materials suitable for use Report writing and evaluations

Frequently asked questions:
Are there any prerequisites for this course?

No.