A Level Product Design at Herschel from Herschel Grammar School on Vimeo.
A level Product Design is a creative and thought-provoking qualification. It gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers, especially those in the creative industries.
They will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning into practice by producing prototypes of their choice.
Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers.
You can find out more about the Product Design qualification here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/as-and-a-level/design-and-technology-product-design-7552
Assessments
Paper 1
What's assessed
Technical principles
How it's assessed
Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes
120 marks
30% of A-level
Questions
Mixture of short answer and extended response.
Paper 2
What's assessed
Designing and making principles
How it's assessed
Written exam: 1 hour and 30 minutes
80 marks
20% of A-level
Questions
Mixture of short answer and extended response questions.
Section A:
Product Analysis: 30 marks
Up to 6 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s).
Section B:
Commercial manufacture: 50 marks
Mixture of short and extended response questions
Non-exam assessment (NEA)
What's assessed
Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles.
How it's assessed
Substantial design and make project
100 marks
50% of A-level
Evidence
Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.