Design & Technology Key Stage 3

Overview

During the academic year 2010-2011 we will be offering Design & Technology - Resistant Materials / Product Design and Graphic Products.

Year 7

Exploring Ideas - During Year 7 students will learn how to explore needs, wants and opportunities in the context of designing for themselves. They will learn to work with others and accept alternative opinions and ideas. Students will also learn to identify design constraints such as resources and finance. Existing established products will be used to inform their design thinking. Illustration, annotation and diagrammatic skills will be learnt and knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes will be established. 

Generating & Developing Ideas - Students will develop a range of strategies, using various materials, to produce design ideas. Existing products will be used to understand the relationship between form and function. 3-D modelling skills and specialist ICT programs will be learnt and students will experiment with a variety of materials to gain an understanding of their properties and uses. Planning methods will be introduced and students will develop team-working skills as an introduction to the design process.   

Evaluating - Students will learn how to evaluate their own ideas against the original design brief and suggest improvements. Judgments about the originality and value of there own ideas and those of others will be encouraged. They will learn how to describe how products are put together and the suitability of the materials used. 

Project titles 2010-2011 

Resistant Materials / Product Design - Mobile Phone Stand

This project is designed to introduce the pupils to materials and manufacturing processes.
Pupils will use a range of workshop machinery and equipment in this project. They will also be introduced to CAD/CAM and its implications on business and society. 

Graphic Products - Packaging design

This project will allow the pupils to gain an understanding of the theory behind and implications of successful packaging.
They will start to learn the importance of colour, text and style as well as the importance of information on packaging. 

Year 8

Exploring Ideas - During Year 8 students will learn how to explore needs, wants and opportunities in the context of designing for a client. They will learn how to identify conflicting criteria, determine which should take priority and discuss, debate question and challenge information and the nature of the task itself. Conclusions will be drawn from any information gathered and appropriate proposals made. 

Generating & Developing Ideas - Students will be encouraged to consider and produce conventional, original, unusual, unique and eccentric ideas.  They will develop flexible and independent thinking and draw upon a wide range of information sources. Students will seek the opinions of potential users of the product, find out what materials and components are available to them and use this information directly in the development of their proposal. Planning skills will be developed and contingency strategies introduced. 

Evaluating - Students will learn how to modify and transform ideas as they go along and make informed judgments on material selections. They will discuss their product (and existing products) with users and learn how to respond to constructive criticism and it’s value in the design process. Student will learn to distinguish between the quality of the design and the quality of the manufacture. 

Project titles 2010-2011 

Resistant Materials / Product Design - Tactile Box

This project is designed to introduce the pupils to the significance of ergonomics in design as well as develop there understanding of materials and manufacturing processes. Pupils will use a range of workshop machinery and equipment in this project as well as a range of materials. They will also be introduced to the significance of skilled labour and its part to play in modern manufacture. 

Graphic Products - Album Cover Design

This project will allow the pupils to gain an designers appreciation of music album cover art. They will also learn how powerful images and designs can portray a message and document a time in history.
Understanding of colour, text and style and fashion will be developed. 

Year 9

Exploring Ideas - During Year 9 students will learn how to explore needs, wants and opportunities in the context of designing for markets. They will learn how to produce a well-informed design specification and how to select information from a variety of sources to be used to make design decisions. Student will also learn how design decisions can have an impact on the future and learn more about the responsibility of the designer. 

Generating & Developing Ideas - Being prepared to take risks when generating ideas will be encouraged. By analysing existing products students will have a better understanding of how they are made which will in turn provide factual information to use when designing their own products. Student will develop the capacity to create and develop proposals in the mind’s eye. They will also draw from mathematical, scientific and technical knowledge in their development, and make and justify decisions regarding materials and manufacturing processes. Planning will become more detailed and better informed. 

Evaluating - Students will formulate criteria to judge the quality of a product (theirs or that of another) and the extent that it meets the needs of the consumer and its impact on society. They will be able to explain the choices they have made throughout the design process using appropriate language and terminology, and learn to appreciate the conflicting demands upon designers and makers, understanding the  balance between help and harm. Students will learn to evaluate verbally to an audience. 

Project titles 2010-2011 

Resistant Materials / Product Design - Jewellery Box

This project is designed to develop pupils understanding of a target market and their woodworking skills.
Pupils will use a range of woodworking machinery and equipment and learn how to produce high quality, traditional products. They will also be encouraged to combine CAD/CAM and its implications on business and society. 

Graphic Design - Presentation & Visualisation

Pupils will develop a range of techniques to produce illustrations in 2D and 3D. Representing specific materials and textures will also be taught as well as the significance of composition, perspective and text. They will learn to understand the importance of these skills as part of the design process.