A Level Product Design
Course Introduction
Product Design is an A-level subject that combines the disciplines of Resistant Materials and
Graphics in the pursuit of creating elegant design solutions to established problems. Using a
combination of materials and manufacturing processes you will tackle four projects in the first
year with a full commitment to design and make, the projects include:
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A chair inspired by a researched design movement;
A designer mirror;
Jewellery item or mobile accessory;
A low-voltage lighting product.
Following the process of design students will analyse the
project before carrying out research that will be used to inspire
design solutions. A made product will be thoroughly planned
before being tested and evaluated; similar to the GCSE.
There are some key differences from the GCSE, for
example, the quality of planning with fine detail of
manufacturing techniques will be required along
with a more independent approach to computeraided design (CAD) and greater levels of expanse in
design creation. When researching students will be
expected to go to sight visits and speak to clients or
industry experts in an attempt to gain clarity in
their design approach.
The quality of product outcome is as high as it was at GCSE, however,
you will be tackling four projects in one year meaning that the
management of these projects will be vital to your success.
The exam is similar in structure to the GCSE with some short questions
testing your knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes but
there is greater emphasis on longer essaystyle questions on topics such as ergonomic
design and product sustainability. One hour
per week will be dedicated in lesson to
subject theory for the exam at the end of
the academic year.
Lessons will include discussions relating to
design principles, short drawing and modelling activities, essay-style
written pieces and coursework development. You should approach
this subject with an expectation to share your ideas and in doing so be
prepared to be challenged on your knowledge and understanding of
products and how they are designed.
Heathcote School Transition Booklet KS4-KS5
A Level Product Design
Coursework Portfolio
The four made products are accompanied by a coursework portfolio that is used to document the
design journey that resulted in the final outcome. This document should be approximately forty
pages long and will include examples of analytical and evaluative writing, sequences for planning,
a variety of research types as well as an extensive range of innovative design ideas. Below are
examples of work produced by previous students and the feedback provided by the teacher:
The circle around the mirror will act as
support for it. This circle will be
manufactured using the laser cutter and
the material I will use is acrylic.
- Aim to provide a specific measurement
for the circle diameter to provide insight
into the product proportion.
You may also wish to explain how you
intend to fabricate this component part to
the main body of your mirror product.
My product will be approximately 150-250
millimetres in height, 200 millimetres in
width and 200 millimetres in length.
- It is really important that you commit to
the key dimensions in your specification in
order for your design ideas to be produced
against the specific criteria.
I have created this orthographic drawing to help
me plan the making of my product. In my
presentation you can see that on the side
projection there is a place for the hidden cigar
holder as well as the position of the planned
pewter-cast crown handle that will be positioned
on the front of the cufflink drawer display module.
- You have used specific technical language to
provide a clear insight into your design intention.
The layout of this page works well and supports
your planned ideas for product manufacture.
Heathcote School Transition Booklet KS4-KS5
A Level Product Design
Coursework Outline
Jewellery Product / Mobile Accessory
 Task Analysis
 Sketching (Alternative Media)
 Materials / Techniques Investigation (Pewter, Acrylic, Veneers)
 Compliant Material Experiments / Promotional Design Ideas
 Making (4 weeks)
 Personal Evaluation and Modification Ideas
Bauhaus Chair
 Project Attributes Table / Gantt Chart
 Mood Board
 Secondary Research: Bauhaus
 Existing Product Analysis
 Materials, Construction and Finish Research
 Ergonomics Research / Ergonome
 Plastic Curvature Forming Models / Laminating Models
 Sketching Ideas: Isometric / Perspective
 Design Development: Sketchup / 2D Design
 Styrofoam Modelling / Card Models
 Drawn Design Development
 Final Design with Justification
 Manufacturing Table Plan
 Making (3 weeks)
 Testing and Analysis of Results
Low-voltage Lighting
 Situation and Need / Aims and Objectives
 Brief and Specification
 Primary and Secondary Research – Lighting
 Client-centred Research / Research Summary
 Model-making using Styrofoam
 Development Pages / RAG Review
 Orthographic Projection / Cutting List
 3D CAD Modelling
 Making – Artwork / Graphics (5-6 weeks)
 Evaluation against the Specification
Designer Mirror
 Target Customer Profile / Design Brief
 Questionnaire with Results Analysis
 Sketching
 3D Card Modelling
 Development Drawing
 Final Idea with Justification
 Workshop Experiments
 Making Flow Chart / Quality Control Table
 3D CAD Modelling / Photoshop
 Making (4 weeks)
 Consumer Evaluation
Heathcote School Transition Booklet KS4-KS5
A Level Product Design
Marking Criterion
Criterion 1: Investigation and clarification of problems (7-8):
• Comprehensive, organised range of sources of information including relevant practical
investigations, taking into account current trends, available technologies and the needs of the
client;
• Perceptive analysis of information;
• Comprehensive specification, well-reasoned and based on research and investigation.
Criterion 2: Development of a Design Proposal (19-24):
• Comprehensive, imaginative and feasible ideas;
• Excellent development of a sophisticated/elegant solution achieved by exploring and
experimenting with different proportions, material combinations and the functions of materials,
methods of production, construction and modelling;
• Full explanation of all decisions made;
• Comprehensive and detailed plan of making, including relevant quality control checks, in order
to achieve a high quality outcome in the stated time.
Criterion 3: Making / Modelling (19-24):
• High level of making/modelling skills and accuracy using a varied range of materials with ability
to adapt the original idea;
• Planned quality control checks are applied throughout the making/modelling to ensure
consistency and safety;
• Outcome satisfies all major points of the specification;
• In-depth and detailed use of appropriate modelling strategies which help clarify the form of the
prototype or product and production/manufacturing methods.
Criterion 4: Evaluation and Testing (9-12):
• Detailed and comprehensive testing strategy applied throughout with results used to inform the
design and refine any modifications;
• All aspects of the final prototype or product tested and evaluated against the specification;
• Comments of others used appropriately to develop the prototype or product to improve the
effectiveness of the final outcome.
Criterion 5: Communication and Presentation (9-12):
• Excellent level of communication and presentation, including competent use of appropriate
technical language;
• Excellent wide range of appropriate materials, techniques and media used to convey details of
designing and making;
• Complex ideas expressed extremely clearly and fluently in a structured and relevant way with
few, if any, errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Heathcote School Transition Booklet KS4-KS5
A Level Product Design
Exemplar Exam Questions
[PROD 1: Materials, Components and Application]
1 (a) Define what is meant by the term composite material. [2 marks]
1 (b) Glass Reinforced Plastic is a fibre based composite material.
Name a product it is used in and explain why this material is suitable for the product you have
named. [3 marks]
2 Styrofoam is a compliant material. Name an application it is used in and explain why this
material is suitable for the application you have named. [3 marks]
5 (a) (i) What is meant by the term oxo-degradable polymer? [1 mark]
5 (a) (ii) Name a product that might be made from oxo-degradable polymer and give one reason
why it is a suitable material for this product. [2 marks]
7 (a) The table top (Part A) is made from medium density fibreboard (MDF). It has been covered
with a plastic laminate. Explain in detail why this combination is suitable for the table top. [6
marks]
7 (c) Describe the health and safety measures that might be taken by the manufacturer to protect
employees when making the table. [4 marks]
Note: The exam paper is 2 hours long and is marked out of 80 and constitutes 50% of the overall
grade.
Relevant Information Sources:
Book: AQA Design & Technology Product DesignAS/A2 (Aqa Design a Level), Will Potts, Brian Evans
[ISBN: 9780748782574]
Website: [AQA Exam Board website] www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/alevel/design-and-technology-product-design-3d-2550
Heathcote School Transition Booklet KS4-KS5
A Level Product Design
Previous Experience
Key Stage 4
Please provide a list of your GCSE results including the subjects:
What product did you make for your final GCSE project?
What would you say are your strengths and areas for improvement in this subject?
Pre-Course Tasks
One of the four projects you will complete as part of your course will be to produce a designer
mirror based on a theme of your choice. This will be the last project that you complete and will
allow you to create an aesthetically appealing product that has a fairly open brief. In preparation
of this part of the course you are required to produce the following coursework material:
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Target Customer Profile / Design Brief;
Questionnaire with Results Analysis (using Excel);
Sketching of ideas using a range of media;
3D Card Modelling of your chosen idea.
You can find additional support material for these tasks attached to this booklet; you should aim
to produce approximately five A3 page, spending no more than five hours completing the work.
Future Studies and Career Prospects
Upon completing your A-level you could move onto studying a range of degree courses that are
based on the concept of designing products; these could include:
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Product Design and Technology, Loughborough University
Art and Design, Nottingham Trent University
Engineering and Design, Brunel University
Marketing and Design, Lancaster University
Graphic Art and Design, Leeds Metropolitan University
Graphic Communication, University of Reading
These courses could lead onto career opportunities in the following fields; Interior Design,
Furniture Design, 3D Concept Design, Product Engineering, Exhibition Design, Architectural
Technician, Industrial Designers, CAD Technicians, Project Manager, Lighting Design.
Heathcote School Transition Booklet KS4-KS5