A-Level

D&T: Product Design

East Barnet School > Education > All EBS Courses > KS5 > D&T: Product Design
sketch plans
D&T: Product Design

Entry Criteria

English GCSE

Grade 5

D&T Subject GCSE

Grade 6

Speak to staff if not studied at GCSE

Careers

Designers are in high demand, offering strong graduate employment prospects, especially in fields like aerospace, travel, fashion, and industry. Even if you choose a different path, the skills developed here will make you highly sought after across various industries. High earning potential: As a graduate, you can start with an average salary of £24,000, with experienced professionals earning up to £80,000 (National Careers Service). International opportunities: Designers have the chance to work globally, helping design and create city infrastructures or work on diverse projects for top companies like Mercedes, BP, and Airbus. Improve the world: Use your skills to solve real-world problems and contribute to society through sustainable design. Career options include product design, set design, fashion, graphic design, photography, and many others.

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If you require any further information about the curriculum we are following in this subject, please click here to contact the Head of Faculty/Department.

Course ID
OCR H406
Faculty
Design & Technology
Department
Design & Technology
Level
A-Level
Head of Faculty
C. Roncarati
Head of Department
T. Stokes
Availability
Currently Studied, Offered Next Academic Year (subject to enrolment numbers)
D&T: Product Design

Course Overview

This exciting A-Level Product Design course is perfect for students ready to immerse themselves into the world of design, building skills developed in KS4 D&T or Engineering GCSE. With a strong foundation in creative and technical design principles, this course opens up opportunities to explore how products are conceived, developed, and brought to life in industries around the world.

The course shares a core with D&T: Fashion and Textiles and Design Engineering, covering a range of essential design concepts. Students will engage in critical areas such as identifying requirements, analysing existing products and practices, and considering wider issues like sustainability, ethics, and emerging technology. You’ll explore design thinking and communication, technical understanding of materials, and the intricacies of manufacturing processes and techniques. Alongside this, you’ll learn how to evaluate the feasibility of design solutions and understand health and safety in real-world applications – skills that are highly valued in any design-related career.

The course is packed with hands-on learning experiences. Through smaller projects, theory lessons, and product analysis, students build both knowledge and practical skills, exploring different aspects of design from concept to creation. The highlight of the course is the NEA (Non-Exam Assessment), an extended coursework project that spans approximately a year. This NEA is a fantastic opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the full design process: researching and identifying a real-world problem, developing creative solutions, and finally designing and making a fully functional product.

Students will not only gain technical expertise but also learn to think like designers – anticipating user needs, refining ideas, and bringing innovative concepts to life. By the end of the course, you’ll have a portfolio of work and a solid foundation in design principles, preparing you for further study in product design, engineering, architecture, or a wide range of careers in the creative and technical industries. This course is more than a qualification; it’s your stepping stone into the exciting world of design innovation.

Course Content

Year 12

Term Unit of Work Assessment
Autumn 1 Exploring multi materials through a key fob project. Tea light lamp shade project – designing through modelling. Theory of materials and manufacturing. Mini projects.
Autumn 2 Manufacturing processes – practical applications. Ring project – learning 3D printing. Theory of materials and manufacturing. Mini projects.
Spring 1 Drawing skills. Desk lamp project – applying theory, drawing skills, modelling and CAD to lead to a practical outcome. Theory of materials and manufacturing. Start NEA – identifying problems. Mini projects.
Spring 2 Start NEA (coursework). Includes identifying possible problem areas, primary users and stakeholders. Theory of materials and manufacturing. NEA
Summer 1 NEA (coursework). Includes relevant primary and secondary research, key requirements and initial thoughts. Theory of wider issues. NEA
Summer 2 NEA (coursework). Includes relevant primary and secondary research, key requirements, initial thoughts and development. Theory of wider issues. Prep for Year 12 exam. NEA.
Year 12 exam.

 

Year 13

Term Unit of Work Assessment
Autumn 1 NEA (coursework).
Development of design work and modelling.
Theory through product analysis.
NEA
Autumn 2 NEA (coursework).
Final development model made, final design / technical specification produced. Plan for making.
Exam preparation – analysing questions.
NEA
Spring 1 NEA (coursework).
Making of final outcome.
Testing and evaluating final product.
Modifications and marketing suggested.
NEA
‘A’ Level mock exam.
Spring 2 NEA (coursework). Complete all work. Improvements made.
Recap and review theory work covered over the course.
NEA
Summer 1 Exam preparation through questions and product analysis.  
Summer 2 ‘A’ Level Examination. ‘A’ Level Examination.

 

Extended Learning

Year 12

Websites Read Visit or Watch Extra
Technology Student; How It’s Made YouTube channel. OCR Design and Technology for AS/A Level; My Revision Notes: OCR AS/A level Design and Technology: Product Design Science Museum; Design Museum; any technological events e.g. The Big Bang. Lunchtime and after school clubs that support classwork. Robotics Club;
F1 for Schools; CAD support at lunchtimes and after school.

 

Year 13

Websites Read Visit or Watch Extra
Technology Student; How It’s Made YouTube channel. OCR Design and Technology for AS/A Level; My Revision Notes: OCR AS/A level Design and Technology: Product Design Science Museum; Design Museum; any technological events e.g. The Big Bang. Lunchtime and after school clubs that support classwork. Robotics Club;
F1 for Schools; CAD support at lunchtimes and after school.