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Design Technology
The DT curriculum encourages students to explore a range of designers and develop the skills to be able to solve real world problems or respond to career based design briefs. We focus on user centered design, as well as exploring how new and emerging materials and technology can drive innovation and responsible designing, thereby equipping our young learners with the knowledge and skills they need to use design to improve the world around them.
Our Design Technology curriculum aims to give the students an opportunity to:
Research and Design
Engage in an iterative process of design and making in response to vocational briefs.
Identify and solve problems, including the problems of specific clients or vocational briefs. Develop specifications to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products and be able to develop and communicate design ideas using a variety of methods.
Make
Select from and use specialist tools, techniques, processes, equipment and machinery precisely, including computer-aided design and manufacture.
Select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials, components and taking into account their properties.
Evaluate
Analyse the work of past and present professionals or existing designed products to help them design their own.
Investigate new and emerging technologies.
Present personal project work, analysing how the product fulfils the requirements of the brief and the users’ needs, wants and values.
Recognise how their product can be modified for commercial manufacturing
Understand developments in design technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists
Design Technology at TLA
Our Design Technology curriculum aims to give the students an opportunity to:
Research and Design
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Engage in an iterative process of design and making.
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Undergo primary and secondary research techniques into a range of users’ needs, wants and values, analysis of existing products, ergonomics and anthropometrics, and the work of others.
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Identify and solve problems, including the problems of specific clients.
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Develop specifications to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that respond to needs in a variety of situations.
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Use a variety of design strategies when developing ideas using the iterative design process.
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Develop and communicate design ideas using a variety of methods.
Make
-
Select from and use specialist tools, techniques, processes, equipment and machinery precisely, including computer-aided design and manufacture.
-
Select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials, components and taking into account their properties.
Evaluate
-
Analyse the work of past and present professionals or existing designed products to develop and broaden understanding.
-
Investigate new and emerging technologies.
-
Personal project work, analysing how the product fulfils the requirements of the specification and the users’ needs, wants and values.
-
Recognise how their product can be modified for commercial manufacturing
-
Understand developments in design technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists
KS3
Students will study design technology and textiles design in years 7-9 on a rotation with food and nutrition.
Design Technology and Textiles Design
Across the key stage and design technology and textiles students will learn the fundamentals of health and safety in the DT and textiles classrooms whilst developing their understanding of materials (including smart materials), design and manufacturing technologies and computer aided design software packages and machines. They will explore the design process, working on vocational and customer focussed briefs to design , make and evaluate products such as:
- A pewter keyring, inspired by the Art Deco movement.
- A night light inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement.
- Virtual earpod designs created in Autocad Fusion 360.
- Bauhaus beach inspired wall hanging.
- Prom paper fashion outfits or accessories.
- Textile portraits of role models/influencers for the National portrait gallery.
KS4
Students can opt for the AQA 3 Dimensional Design course that is under the AQA Art and Design GCSE specification.
Students that enjoy a Textiles Design approach should consider the AQA Art, Craft and Design GCSE endorsement as textiles can be offered as one pathway in that qualification within Art. Further information can be found under the Art link.
Three Dimensional Design
During KS4 students will be creating 2 smaller and one extended coursework projects which make up 60% of their GCSE and one exam project worth 40%, which concludes with a 10 hour practical exam to make their final outcomes.
Students will first study different methods of designing and drawing in 3D form in response to a design brief and analyse existing products. Students will be drawing for research and design purposes before developing their ideas and creating outcomes in response to the design briefs in digital form.
For the second project students will study sculpture artists and develop their carving skills in different materials producing a variety of outcomes.
For the extended project students will explore and respond to the theme ‘Architecture’. There will be opportunities to sketch, design, use photography, digital programs and a range of 3D sculpture materials. Students will be critically exploring contemporary artists, designers, and developing their own ideas in response to a design brief. They will need to present their work as coherent projects.
Exam board(s)
AQA Art and Design - 3 Dimensional Design
