Art and Design: Product Design (A Level)

You will use a variety of materials to develop creative solutions to design problems. Research skills, design model-making, drawing and presentation techniques are vital elements of the coursework. You will study a personal investigation unit and an externally set (exam) unit in the second year. You will also complete a written study in the upper sixth.

The Product Design two-year A Level suits people with an interest in designing and making 3D solutions that meet a need or solve a problem. You should have a desire to create and make products, furniture and lighting in 3D and an interest in using 2D and 3D materials in a practical way. In the lower sixth you will cover product design drawing realisation, ideas development through 3D model making, and Computer Aided Design construction. A range of different projects are covered and all conclude with both a 3D and CAD model solution.

You can expect to:

• Create and make prototype ideas that solve functional problems in a workshop environment
• Research and explore the work of contemporary product, furniture and lighting designers
• Visit design galleries and museum spaces
• Create accurate CAD plans and 3D rendered models

The upper sixth year includes a personal project for which students write their own brief and this forms a key element in support of their application to university to study Product, Furniture or Lighting Design degrees. Students are also required to produce a 2,500-word written study that connects in with their chosen coursework project.

This A Level is studied alongside two or three other A Levels or Level 3 BTEC equivalents. Other Creative Arts faculty subjects combine well (a maximum of no more than two creative courses is advised plus one other non-related A Level).