Subject: Product Design (Three-Dimensional Design)
The GCSE Three-Dimensional Design course is designed not only for anyone who intends to pursue a career in the design world, but it gives students the opportunity to work with a range of materials and processes. All students will have the opportunity to design and make practical solutions to real design problems.
What will students learn?
In the Product Design GCSE, students will learn about a range of design movements, artists and both historical and contemporary cultural influences. The GCSE will develop students' creativity (the process of coming up with original ideas that have value), their ability to tolerate uncertainty, work independently and to develop their own ideas. They will also develop skills relating to analysis and understanding of design, collection and presentation of resources, observations and ideas, as well as the ability to use various materials, development and presentation of their design ideas. They will learn about the working properties of a range of materials including (but not limited to) plastics, timbers, metals, smart materials and a range of sustainable alternatives. There will be real practical and transferable skills with many degrees and careers in and out of design. It brings out students’ passions and it’s fun!
In KS4 students will study
Students will explore the following media, techniques and processes:
- Timbers: hardwoods, softwoods and manufactured boards
- Alloys, ferrous and non-ferrous metals
- Thermoforming and thermosetting plastics and polymers
- Smart materials such as photochromic, thermochromic, shape memory polymers and alloys and others
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) such as 2D Design, Adobe Illustrator and SolidWorks
- Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) including the laser cutter, vinyl cutter and rotary cam
Students will explore the following areas:
- Inclusive design
- Sustainable design
- Social design
What examinations / assessments do students have at the end of KS4?
Exam board: Edexcel
Component 1 (Worth 60% of the GCSE Grade)
- This consists of three major projects that students develop over the two-year course
Component 2
- Exam paper released in January (year 11), culminating in a 10-hour practical exam
How will students receive feedback?
At Paddington, all students will receive regular feedback from formative assessment tasks. Within the curriculum, specific tasks are allocated for feedback. This ensures all students gain regular feedback. Teachers will mark student work and provide targeted feedback that enables students to improve their work and make progress. To support student understanding, teachers plan high-quality re-teach time to prepare students for their feedback. Across each term, students will receive feedback from multiple tasks.
What resources can be used to support learning?