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Design and Technology: Product Design
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Exam board for Design and Technology: Product Design
AQA · A-Level
Course 7552
591 syllabus points listed. Open the course to explore its topics.
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About Design and Technology: Product Design
What is Design and Technology: Product Design?
Design and Technology: Product Design is a creative and practical subject where you learn to design and make products that solve real-world problems. You will develop skills in research, sketching, computer-aided design (CAD), materials science, and manufacturing, while also considering sustainability, ergonomics, and the needs of different users. The subject encourages you to think like a designer, balancing aesthetics, function, cost, and environmental impact.
Studying Product Design helps you build a strong portfolio and a range of transferable skills, including problem-solving, communication, and project management. It is an excellent foundation for further study in product design, engineering, architecture, or industrial design, and can lead to careers in design, engineering, manufacturing, and beyond. Whether you want to create the next must-have gadget or improve everyday objects, this subject gives you the tools to turn ideas into reality.
Why Study Design and Technology: Product Design?
What You'll Learn
Where Design and Technology: Product Design can take you
Where Design and Technology: Product Design Can Take You
Career paths and opportunities for Design and Technology: Product Design students
Product Designer
Product designers create and develop new products, from concept to manufacture. This subject teaches you the design process, CAD, and prototyping skills that are essential for the role. You could work in consumer electronics, furniture, or packaging design.
Industrial Designer
Industrial designers focus on the aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability of mass-produced items. Your studies in materials, manufacturing, and user-centred design directly prepare you for this career. Many industrial designers work in automotive, appliance, or tech industries.
Design Engineer
Design engineers combine creative design with engineering principles to develop and improve products. The subject's emphasis on problem-solving, technical drawing, and materials selection provides a solid foundation. You might work in aerospace, automotive, or medical device engineering.
Architect
Architects design buildings and spaces, requiring creativity, technical knowledge, and an understanding of how people use environments. Product Design develops your spatial awareness, drawing skills, and ability to manage projects. You will need to complete further study, but this subject is a strong starting point.
Furniture Designer/Maker
Furniture designers create functional and beautiful pieces, often blending traditional craft with modern technology. This subject gives you hands-on experience with materials like wood, metal, and plastics, plus design thinking. You could work for a manufacturer or set up your own workshop.
Common questions
- What is the difference between Design and Technology and Product Design?
- Design and Technology (D&T) is a broad subject that covers many areas, including product design, textiles, food technology, and systems and control. Product Design is a specialism within D&T that focuses specifically on designing and making products, often using resistant materials like wood, metal, and plastics. At GCSE and A-level, you can often choose Product Design as a specific pathway, which goes into greater depth in design processes, materials, and manufacturing.
- Do I need to be good at drawing to take Product Design?
- While drawing is a useful skill, you do not need to be an amazing artist to succeed in Product Design. The subject teaches you to communicate ideas through sketches, technical drawings, and computer-aided design (CAD). What matters more is your ability to think creatively, solve problems, and develop your ideas. With practice, your drawing and CAD skills will improve significantly.
- What careers can I pursue with a Product Design qualification?
- A qualification in Product Design can lead to careers in product design, industrial design, design engineering, architecture, furniture design, and even fields like UX design or marketing. Many students go on to study design or engineering at university or take up apprenticeships. The skills you learn, such as problem-solving and project management, are also valuable in many other industries.
- Is Product Design a good subject to take with STEM subjects?
- Yes, Product Design complements STEM subjects like maths, physics, and computer science very well. It applies scientific and mathematical principles in a practical context, which can deepen your understanding. Many universities and employers value the combination because it shows both creative and analytical abilities. It can lead to degrees in engineering, product design, or architecture.
- How is Product Design assessed at GCSE and A-level?
- At GCSE, Product Design is typically assessed through a combination of a written exam (usually 50%) and a non-exam assessment (NEA) where you design and make a product (50%). At A-level, the written exam is often 50% and the NEA is 50%, but this can vary by exam board. The NEA involves researching, designing, making, and evaluating a product based on a context set by the exam board.
- What equipment or software will I need for Product Design?
- For most courses, you will need basic drawing equipment like pencils, rulers, and sketchbooks. Access to a computer with CAD software such as Fusion 360 or SolidWorks is beneficial, but schools usually provide this. For making, you will use workshop tools and machines under supervision. Some students choose to buy their own modelling materials, but this is not essential.
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