Edexcel 1TDO, 9-1

Design is a very rewarding and creative process which leads to varied outcomes from solving specific problems to providing opportunities for self-expression. Designers can produce real or abstract objects, processes, graphics, laws and even ways of communicating. Through design, you can become a critical and informed user of products, an innovator and creative thinker. This course has been designed to encourage you to express original ideas and to develop an adventurous and enquiring mind. You will be inventive with materials and examine the relationship between form and function. You will learn about the circular nature of the design process from concept, formulation and analysis of a brief, research, experimentation to final outcome. There will be interaction with professional designers, local visits, plus a study trip to a major city.

Course content

You will have four 40-minute periods of Art per week with an expected minimum of one hour of homework to accompany this. On this course you will follow either the 3D Design Edexcel (2016) Specification for which you will produce a Personal Portfolio (worth 60%) in response to given themes. This portfolio will be made up from the two projects followed in Year 10 and the mock exam project created in Year 11.

You will be expected to spend much of your lesson time developing skills in the workshop along with design sessions to extend graphical skills and an understanding of the design process. They will be supported through workshop practical and design studio sessions using a range of modern materials such as wood laminates, alloys, plastics and ceramics and through focused practical tasks.

This will be an opportunity for you to experiment with a range of materials and processes and to start to build a portfolio of work. Through these hands-on exercises, you will be expected to develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of different areas of study, these could include:

• Architectural, Environmental and Interior Design: relationship between space and human interaction (ergonomics); study of the built environment, aesthetics, function and green issues; modelling using mixed media such as acrylic, plywood and foam board.
• Product Design: product design ideas, drawing skills, CAD, modelling and making skills in mixed materials, shaping, joining and finishing processes.

For these areas of study, you will be encouraged to research widely the work of influential architects, artists and environmental, interior and product designers. You will respond creatively to your own design ideas and present your work with a range of techniques and models. A healthy interest in modern media and using the rich selection of books in the library, alongside personal study of your surroundings using photography, are encouraged. Towards the end of Year 10, you will be asked to focus on an area of study and to build on your portfolio of work through into Year 11. During the final two terms, you will work on your Set Examination Task where you will produce a portfolio of work and a final piece.

Assessment

All students must create a portfolio of work which consists of:

• Portfolio (60%): 120 guided working hours from the two-year course presenting one or more 3D pieces.
• Set task (40%): A 10-hour practical examination and a small portfolio of preparation work.

Examples of recent work