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Designers play an important role in our daily lives. They determine the form and function of the products we use. They transform ideas into drawings and plans for the creation and manufacture of useful products that fulfil human needs and wants. In recent history, the use of resources to create an ever-increasing array of products has resulted in designers adopting a more sustainable approach to design, manufacture, use and disposal. In this study students assume the role of a designer-maker, which involves the identification and definition of need; investigation through informed research to aid the development of ideas and solutions; the development of a knowledge of materials and processes; planning, construction and evaluation.

Product Design Technology - Wood/Jewellery

 Unit 1: Product Redesign and Sustainability

Unit 1 introduces students to the design process, product design factors and intellectual property. Students consider an existing product and how it fulfils the needs of the end user. Students consider how it could be improved, including its sustainability. Students develop a design brief and evaluation criteria to assess design options and the product they produce in response to the design brief.

 Assessment

There are two elements to the assessment for Unit 1:

   A design folio that contains a design brief, evaluation criteria, research, design options, working drawings, production plan and an evaluation report.

   A completed product with records of production and modification.

Unit 2: Collaborative Design

Design is a collaborative enterprise involving many people with specialised knowledge and skills. In unit 2, students work individually and in teams to develop an item in a product range that addresses a problem, need or opportunity and consider the associated human-centred design factors. Students gain inspiration from an historical and/or cultural design movement or style and its defining factors such as ideological or technological change, philosophy or aesthetics. 

Assessment

There are two elements to the assessment for Unit 2:

   A design folio that contains a design brief, evaluation criteria, relevant research, design options, working drawings, production plans and an evaluation report. 
   A completed product that is part of a product range with records of production and modification.