Product Design

Product Design is all around us. It is evident in the products that we use from the moment we wake up until the moment we go to sleep.  It is the role of the designer to form a relationship between people and the objects within our environment.  Bad design makes this relationship frustrating, good design can make this relationship easy, interesting, unique and fun. 

In order to be a successful designer, you must be observant and question the need for and the function of products. To study Product Design students need to be organised, creative, enthusiastic and curious. This is because the best designers are not afraid to turn an idea on its head in order to create an entirely new concept.

Course structure: ‘Design is the search for a magical balance between business and art; art and craft; intuition and reason; concept and detail; playfulness and formality; client and designer; designer and printer and printer and public.’ Valerie Pettis

AS level

1. Materials, Components and Application

2. Learning through Designing and Making
 

A2 level

3. Design and Manufacture

4. Design and Making Practice

Entry requirements

Six GCSEs at grade C or above, including a minimum grade B in Graphics or a related subject and C in English

Assessment

50% examination, 50% coursework

Progression

Through completing an A level in Product Design, you will create a portfolio of work, which will demonstrate the ability to work through a problem from start to finish, highlighting skills such as independence, organisation, creativity, analysis and evaluation.  An A level in Product Design is an appropriate pathway for those wishing to pursue careers in graphic, fashion or interior design, engineering or architecture.

If you are interested in the types of products that could be manufactured during an A level in Product Design, then please see the website of inspirational designer Helen Friel, www.helenfriel.com.