Product Design

About A Level Product Design

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.

Students 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. 

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.

Assessments

Paper 1

What's assessed

Technical principles

How it's assessed

• Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes

• 120 marks

• 30% of A-level

Questions

Mixture of short answer and extended response.

What's assessed

Technical principles

How it's assessed

• Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes

• 120 marks

• 30% of A-level

Paper 2

What's assessed

Designing and making principles

How it's assessed

• Written exam: 1 hour and 30 minutes

• 80 marks

• 20% of A-level

Questions

Mixture of short answer and extended response questions.

Section A:

• Product Analysis: 30 marks

• Up to 6 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s).

Section B:

• Commercial manufacture: 50 marks

• Mixture of short and extended response questions

Non-exam assessment (NEA)

What's assessed

Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles.

How it's assessed

• Substantial design and make project

• 100 marks

• 50% of A-level

Evidence

Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.