A-Level Design Technology

A Level Design Technology

Specification: AQA

Method of Assessment: Examination – 50%, Coursework 50%

Course Overview:

A Level Design & Technology is designed to encourage innovation and creativity in all aspects of design principles. The course enables students to gain skills to become successful individuals within the rapidly developing technological design industry.

Units Studied:

Paper 1 – Technical principles (30% of A Level – 2 Hours 30 Minute Examination) 120 marks.

Technical principles:

• Materials and their applications:
• Performance characteristics of materials:

• Enhancement of materials
• Forming, redistribution and addition processes:
• The use of adhesives and fixings
• The use of finishes
• Modern industrial and commercial practice
• Digital design and manufacture
• The requirements for product design and development
• Health & Safety
• Protecting designs and intellectual property
• Design for manufacturing, maintenance, repair and disposal
• Feasibility studies
• Enterprise and marketing in the development of products
• Design communication

Paper 2 – Technical principles (20% of A Level – 1 Hour 30 Minute Examination) 80 marks.

Designing and making principles:

• Design methods and processes
• Design theory
• How technology and cultural changes can impact on the work of designers
• Product life cycle
• Design processes
• Critical analysis and evaluation
• Selecting appropriate tools, equipment and processes
• Accuracy in design and manufacture
• Responsible design
• Design for manufacture and project management
• National and international standards in product design

Non-exam assessment – NEA (50% of A Level) 100 marks.

• Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles.
• Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.

Entry Requirements:

Students require a minimum of 7 GCSE’s at grade 5 or above or equivalent, including English (Literature or Language) and Mathematics with at least a grade 6 in Design & technology.  

Reading Materials / Resources:

Any pre-research about topics is highly recommended.

Specification for course can be found on:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/as-and-a-level/design-and-technology-product-design-7552

Career Opportunities

A Level Design & Technology broadens horizons within the developing design world and enables students to gain accessibility to Arts courses in colleges and universities. All creative employers have an eye for the study of A Level Design & Technology, as it builds a foundation in portfolio creating and skillsets for the industrial design world.

Specific careers involving Design & Technology include:

• Teaching
• Graphic Design
• Digital / Web developer
• Print design
• UX / UI design
• HTML / CSS coding
• Branding
• Interior design
• Architecture
• Motion design
• Editor
• Social media content design
• Videography
• Animation
• Creative director
• Illustrator
• Creative Art worker

For more information, please contact Miss Ebcin at sixthform@harristottenham.org.uk

Please mark FAO and contact name in the subject of the email.