Design @ A'level
Design & Technology will help prepare you for tomorrow’s rapidly changing world, and challenge you to become a creative problem solver, not only as an individual but through collaboration with your peers and the communities around you.
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An Introduction to the A'level
You are studying 'OCR A'Level Design & Technology'. Within that you will have selected to choose either 'Design Engineering' or 'Product Design' This is a two year course where you are assessed on an NEA (50%) and an end of course theoretical exam (50%).
In year 12 you will carry out a range of separate projects where you will develop skills and learn the majority of the theoretical content. At the end of year 12 you start the NEA which is also referred to as the 'Iterative Design Challenge', this will continue through year 13 until March. This a significant, comprehensive and enjoyable project where you solve a real life problem through designing and prototyping.
Year 12
Below are the three different projects you will be studying and the associated content.
Autumn 1
Autumn 1 is all about skill building and knowledge development:
- Materials & Manufacturing
- Designer Considerations
- CAD/CAM
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Spring 2
You complete all aspects of the lighting project and start thinking about the direction of your NEA.
Autumn 2
A lighting project where students put into practice what they have learnt from term 1. Students with design an make a lamp for an individual client.
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Summer 1 & 2
The NEA begins and you spend the rest of the year working on this
Spring 1
This term we look at the commercial viability of the lamp designed during Autumn 2. Students will need to think about how they could make it commercially and write a proposal for manufacturing and marketing.
Year 13
In year 13 there are two foci. Firstly your NEA (Iterative Design Challenge) and secondly your consolidation and practice of all the theoretical consent you covered in year 12 ready for your exam at the end of the year.
Past Papers
Below are a selection of past papers and mark schemes to enable you to practice
Design Engineering (H404)
