Core Design and Making Principles (A level only)

Core Design and Making Principles form the backbone of the WJEC A-Level Design and Technology specification. This topic covers the fundamental knowledge and skills required to design and manufacture products effectively, from initial concept through to final production. It integrates design theory with practical making processes, ensuring students can apply iterative design thinking, material selection, and manufacturing techniques to create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable products.

Understanding these principles is crucial because they underpin all design and technology work. Students learn to analyse user needs, develop design specifications, and evaluate their own and others' designs. They also explore a wide range of materials—including metals, polymers, woods, and composites—and their properties, enabling informed choices. Manufacturing processes such as casting, forming, joining, and finishing are studied in depth, along with quality control, health and safety, and the impact of design on society and the environment.

This topic fits into the wider subject by providing the theoretical foundation for the non-examined assessment (NEA) where students undertake a substantial design-and-make project. Mastery of these principles allows students to justify their design decisions, optimise production methods, and critically reflect on their outcomes. It also prepares them for further study or careers in engineering, product design, architecture, and manufacturing.