Design & Technology – AS
About this course
Product Design is about identifying problems and designing innovative and creative solutions. Responding to human needs, ideation, testing prototypes, and developing them into products ready to be manufactured and sold to consumers.
A range of projects and workshops will allow you to respond creatively to design briefs. Some of the topics we will cover include:
- User Centred Design
- Design Theory (James Dyson and Bethan Gray)
- Design Feedback and Evaluation
- Manufacturing Processes
- Marketing and Packaging
- Creative Collaboration
- Entrepreneurial Skills
What you will study
AS Unit 1: Written Paper 1
You will undertake an examination that includes a mix of structured and extended writing questions assessing your knowledge and understanding of:
- Technical principles
- Designing and making principles
- Analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in Design and Technology.
AS Unit 2: Design and Make Task
You are required to complete one design and make task, based on a self-identified design brief. You will devote approximately 40 hours to this task. This assessment criteria for this task are as follows:
- Identifying and investigating design possibilities
- Developing a design brief and specification
- Generating and developing design ideas
- Manufacturing a prototype
- Analysing and evaluating design decisions and prototypes
A2 Unit 3: Written Paper 2
You will undertake an examination that includes a mix of structured and extended writing questions assessing your knowledge and understanding of:
- Technical principles
- Designing and making principles
- Analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in Design and Technology
A2 Unit 4: Design and Make Project
You will undertake a sustained design and make project, based on a self-identified brief, assessing your ability to:
- identify, investigate, and outline design possibilities
- design and make prototypes
- analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.
The design and make project will be based within the same endorsed area as the written examination.
Course fee per year
Part-time enrolment fee: £0.00
Entry requirements
Individual Subject Entry Requirement Maths minimum: B B in GCSE in D&T
Important points
- The College welcomes contact with parents/guardians of students who are under 18.
- Additional support is available for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.
- Cardiff and Vale College is committed to inclusion and values diversity. We are determined to promote equality of opportunity and to treat everyone fairly and with respect.
- Cardiff and Vale College reserves the right to make changes to this course without prior notice.
- Course fees are subject to change. Your fee will be confirmed prior to enrolment.
- All courses are accurate at the time of upload or print.
- Courses can only run if there are sufficient numbers.
- Please note, if you choose three or more course choices, then you may be referred for a careers appointment first. This does not apply to A Level or GCSE choices.
Start date
End date
Time of day
Full Time
Course code
Qualification
Facilities
More...
“Cardiff and Vale College teachers and the facilities were always available to me which was very helpful during exam season, and it helped me achieve my grades.”
Career prospects & further study
On completion of the A Level programme, the majority of our students progress onto universities across the country and beyond. Based on this course, there are many options but below are just a few examples of degree programmes you could go on to study at University:
- Product Design
- Industrial Design
- Architecture
- Furniture Design
- 3D Design
Need to know
Learning Support
