GCSE Design and Technology Introduction
As mankind has evolved and developed our needs and wants have changed and we have developed to such a stage we live a very different life to 1,000, 100 or even 10 years ago.
Our world is full of products that have been designed to meet our needs as a whole and individual groups of people's needs.
From the time you get ut to the timne you go to bed your life has been influenced by these products...
What are they?.... list as many as you can.... lets start at the beginning
1) Alarm Clock
2)
3)......
4).........etc
How many did you note?
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/1/3/11139306/6237626.jpg?363)
Your whole day is influenced by Product Designers who have shaped your lifestyle and help define who you are.
Manufacturing has really improved over recent years and this has allowed products to be made in larger quantities, better quality and at a more affordable price.
Designers are more wary of different target groups and are more able to design for these groups.
Product design is complex and designers often need to compromise so that the best product can be achieved. They need to balance the following aspects when designing:
- Styling
- Materials
- Manufacturing Processes
- Moral issues
- Ethical issues
- Sustainable issues
What designing?
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Designing
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/1/3/11139306/825350446.jpg)
To be a good designer you need to understand how products have developed over time. You need to know about the main design periods of the last 100 years as well as some of the main designers work and their iconic products.
Designing can involve making small improvements to existing products or developing a new radical design. You will learn techniques that will make you a creative designer and different ways of presenting your ideas to others. Designers also consider how their work will impact on others. In the UK we consume far more of the world's resources that we should and many products we buy exploit people in other countries.
Designing can involve making small improvements to existing products or developing a new radical design. You will learn techniques that will make you a creative designer and different ways of presenting your ideas to others. Designers also consider how their work will impact on others. In the UK we consume far more of the world's resources that we should and many products we buy exploit people in other countries.
Making
If you want to develop designs into products you need to know about materials and the best ones to use. Their advantages and disadvantages, different methods of manufacturing and cutting, forming, shaping, conditioning and finishing will have a big part in your choice. Safety is a big issue as well as assembly and finishing products.
And Finally...
Product Design is a rewarding course but it is not easy and does require a lot of decision making and hard work. You will need to be organised and plan ahead.
Do You have what it takes??
The course is split into 2 sections:
Examination - 50% (2 hours long)
Controlled Assessment - 50% (25 pages of A3 paper portfolio and a made product/model)
Do You have what it takes??
The course is split into 2 sections:
Examination - 50% (2 hours long)
Controlled Assessment - 50% (25 pages of A3 paper portfolio and a made product/model)