Design and Technology

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Designing for a target market is a fundamental aspect of product design, ensuring that products meet the specific needs, wants, and preferences of an identified consumer group. This process involves conducting market research, analysing data to define a user profile, and translating findings into a clear design specification that guides the development of innovative, viable, and desirable products. Mastery of this subtopic equips students with the practical ability to create user-centred designs that are commercially and socially relevant, a key skill assessed in both the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) and written examination.

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The impact of new and emerging technologies

This topic covers the impact of new and emerging technologies on industry, enterprise, sustainability, people, culture, society, the environment, and production systems. It requires students to understand the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of these technologies in a design and technology context.

The categorisation of the types, properties and structure of thermoforming and thermosetting polymers

The categorisation, properties, and structure of thermoforming and thermosetting polymers, focusing on their working properties, characteristics, applications, advantages, and disadvantages to enable appropriate material selection.

The categorisation of the types, properties and structure of natural, synthetic, blended and mixed fibres, and woven, non-woven and knitted textiles

The categorisation, properties, and structure of natural, synthetic, blended, and mixed fibres, and the construction methods of woven, non-woven, and knitted textiles.

The categorisation of the types, properties and structure of natural and manufactured timbers

The categorisation, properties, and structure of natural and manufactured timbers, focusing on hardwoods, softwoods, and manufactured boards to enable appropriate material selection.

All design and technological practice takes place within contexts which inform outcomes

This topic focuses on the understanding that all design and technological practice occurs within specific contexts that influence the final outcomes. It requires students to demonstrate knowledge of the performance characteristics of a wide range of materials, components, and manufacturing processes to make informed, justified selections.

Investigate environmental, social and economic challenges when identifying opportunities and constraints that influence designing and making

This topic focuses on the implications for designers and manufacturers when developing designs and products, specifically regarding social, ethnic, and economic groups, environmental issues, 'Green Designs', recycling, human capability, costs, manufacturing capability, and life cycle analysis.

Investigate and analyse the work of past and present professionals and companies in order to inform design

This topic focuses on the strategies, techniques, and approaches used to investigate and analyse the work of past and present professionals and companies to inform design decisions. It includes the systematic analysis of products against specific criteria and the study of influential designers.

Use different design strategies to generate initial ideas and avoid design fixation

This topic focuses on the strategies, techniques, and approaches used to generate initial design ideas while actively avoiding design fixation.

Develop, communicate, record and justify design ideas, applying suitable techniques

This topic focuses on the techniques and media used to develop, communicate, record, and justify design ideas, ensuring they are presented clearly and effectively.

How the critical evaluation of new and emerging technologies informs design decisions

This topic focuses on the critical evaluation of new and emerging technologies to inform design decisions, considering contemporary and future scenarios from ethical and environmental perspectives.

How energy is generated and stored in order to choose and use appropriate sources to make products and power systems

This topic covers the generation and storage of energy, focusing on the sources of energy, methods of powering systems, and the factors involved in selecting appropriate energy sources for products and systems.

Developments in modern and smart materials, composite materials and technical textiles

This topic covers the identification and understanding of modern, smart, and composite materials, as well as technical textiles. Students learn about specific examples within these categories and their applications in design and technology.

The functions of mechanical devices used to produce different sorts of movements, including changing of magnitude and direction of forces

This topic covers the performance, principles, applications, and design influence of mechanical devices used to produce movement, including the classification of levers, linkages, cams, followers, pulleys, belts, cranks, sliders, and gear trains.

How electronic systems provide functionality to products and processes, including sensors, control devices and outputs

This topic covers how electronic systems provide functionality to products and processes, focusing on the roles of sensors, control devices, and outputs within electronic systems.

The use of programmable components to embed functionality into products

The use of programmable components to embed functionality into products in order to enhance and customise their operation.

The categorisation of the types, properties and structure of ferrous and non-ferrous metals

This topic covers the classification, properties, and structure of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, requiring students to understand their working properties, characteristics, and applications to make informed material selections.

The categorisation of the types, properties and structure of papers and boards

The categorisation, properties, and structure of papers and boards, focusing on their working properties, characteristics, applications, advantages, and disadvantages to enable appropriate material selection.

Metals: Design contexts

This topic covers the design contexts for metals, requiring students to apply knowledge of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their properties, sources, and manufacturing processes when designing or modifying products.

Metals: The sources, origins, physical and working properties of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and their social and ecological footprint

This topic covers the sources, origins, physical and working properties of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, along with their social and ecological footprints, to enable students to select appropriate materials for design applications.

Metals: The way in which the selection of ferrous and non-ferrous metals is influenced

This topic covers the various factors that influence the selection of ferrous and non-ferrous metals for specific applications, including aesthetic, environmental, availability, cost, social, and cultural/ethical considerations.

Metals: The impact of forces and stresses on ferrous and non-ferrous metals and how they can be reinforced and stiffened

This topic covers the influence of various forces and stresses (compression, tension, shear, electrical, and magnetic) on metals and the specific techniques used to reinforce or stiffen them to improve structural integrity.

Metals: Stock forms, types and sizes in order to calculate and determine the quantity of ferrous and non-ferrous metals required

This topic covers the identification and selection of stock forms, types, and sizes of ferrous and non-ferrous metals to enable accurate calculation and determination of material quantities required for design and manufacturing projects.

Metals: Alternative processes that can be used to manufacture ferrous and non-ferrous metal products to different scales of production

This topic covers the alternative manufacturing processes used for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, the different scales of production, and the techniques employed for quantity production.

Metals: Specialist techniques, tools, equipment and processes to shape, fabricate, construct and assemble a high-quality metal prototype

This topic covers the specialist techniques, tools, equipment, and processes required to shape, fabricate, construct, and assemble high-quality metal prototypes, including the application, advantages, and disadvantages of these methods.

Metals: Appropriate surface treatments and finishes that can be applied to ferrous and non-ferrous metals for functional and aesthetic purposes

This topic covers the application, advantages, and disadvantages of various surface finishing techniques and methods of preservation for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, used for both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Papers and Boards: Design contexts

This topic focuses on the design contexts for papers and boards, requiring students to apply their knowledge and understanding of these materials, components, and manufacturing processes when designing or modifying a product.

Papers and Boards: The sources, origins, physical and working properties of papers and boards and their social and ecological footprint

This topic covers the sources, origins, physical and working properties of papers and boards, including their social and ecological footprint, and how these factors influence material selection and manufacturing processes.

Papers and Boards: The way in which the selection of papers and boards is influenced

This topic covers the various factors that influence the selection of papers and boards for specific design applications, including aesthetic, environmental, availability, cost, social, and cultural/ethical considerations.

Papers and Boards: The impact of forces and stresses on papers and boards and how they can be reinforced and stiffened

This topic covers the impact of various forces and stresses on papers and boards, and the specific techniques used to reinforce or stiffen these materials to improve their structural integrity.

Papers and Boards: Stock forms, types and sizes in order to calculate and determine the quantity of papers and boards required

This topic covers the stock forms, types, and sizes of papers and boards, enabling students to calculate and determine the quantity of materials required for design and manufacturing projects.

Papers and Boards: Alternative processes that can be used to manufacture paper and board products to different scales of production

This topic covers the alternative manufacturing processes used for paper and board products across different scales of production, including printing, cutting, and various modelling techniques, alongside quantity production methods.

Papers and Boards: Specialist techniques, tools, equipment and processes to shape, fabricate, construct and assemble a high-quality paper and board prototype

This topic covers the specialist techniques, tools, equipment, and processes required to shape, fabricate, construct, and assemble high-quality paper and board prototypes.

Papers and Boards: Appropriate surface treatments and finishes that can be applied to papers and boards for functional and aesthetic purposes

This topic covers the application of various surface treatments and finishes to papers and boards to enhance their functional performance and aesthetic appeal.

Polymers: Design contexts

This topic covers the design contexts for polymers, requiring students to apply their knowledge and understanding of thermoforming and thermosetting polymers, their components, and manufacturing processes when designing or modifying products.

Polymers: The sources, origins, physical and working properties of thermoforming and thermosetting polymers and their social and ecological footprint

This topic covers the sources, origins, physical and working properties of thermoforming and thermosetting polymers, along with their social and ecological footprint, and the factors influencing their selection for design applications.

Polymers: The way in which the selection of thermoforming and thermosetting polymers is influenced

This topic covers the factors that influence the selection of thermoforming and thermosetting polymers for specific applications, including aesthetic, environmental, availability, cost, social, and cultural/ethical considerations.

Polymers: The impact of forces and stresses on thermoforming and thermosetting polymers and how they can be reinforced and stiffened

This topic covers the impact of various forces and stresses on thermoforming and thermosetting polymers, and the methods used to reinforce and stiffen these materials.

Polymers: Stock forms, types and sizes in order to calculate and determine the quantity of thermoforming and thermosetting polymers required

This topic covers the identification and understanding of stock forms, types, and sizes of thermoforming and thermosetting polymers to enable students to calculate and determine the required quantities for design and manufacturing projects.

Polymers: Alternative processes that can be used to manufacture polymer products to different scales of production

This topic covers alternative manufacturing processes for thermoforming and thermosetting polymers, including the application, advantages, and disadvantages of specific processes, scales of production, and techniques for quantity production.

Polymers: Specialist techniques, tools, equipment and processes to shape, fabricate, construct and assemble a high-quality polymer prototype

This topic covers the specialist techniques, tools, equipment, and processes required to shape, fabricate, construct, and assemble high-quality prototypes using thermoforming and thermosetting polymers.

Polymers: Appropriate surface treatments and finishes that can be applied to thermoforming and thermosetting polymers for functional and aesthetic purposes

This topic covers the appropriate surface treatments and finishes that can be applied to thermoforming and thermosetting polymers to enhance their functional and aesthetic properties.

Systems: Design contexts

This topic covers the design contexts for Systems, focusing on the application of knowledge regarding materials, components, and manufacturing processes when designing or modifying products within the Systems material category.

Systems: The sources, origins, physical and working properties of components and systems and their social and ecological footprint

This topic covers the sources, origins, physical and working properties of components and systems (sensors, control devices, outputs) and their social and ecological footprint, including material extraction, built-in obsolescence, and disposal.

Systems: The way in which the selection of components and systems is influenced

This topic covers the factors that influence the selection of components and systems for specific applications, including aesthetic, environmental, availability, cost, social, and cultural/ethical considerations.

Systems: The impact of forces and stresses on objects and how they can be reinforced and stiffened

This topic covers the influence of forces and stresses on objects within systems and the methods used to reinforce and stiffen them to resist these forces.

Systems: Stock forms, types and sizes in order to calculate and determine the quantity of components required

This topic covers the identification and selection of stock forms, types, and sizes of electronic components and systems to enable accurate calculation and determination of quantities required for design and manufacture.

Systems: Alternative processes that can be used to manufacture components and systems to different scales of production

This topic covers the alternative manufacturing processes used for systems components, including the specific techniques for PCB production and the various scales of production applicable to systems manufacturing.

Systems: Specialist techniques, tools, equipment and processes to shape, fabricate, construct and assemble a high-quality systems prototype

This topic covers the specialist techniques, tools, equipment, and processes required to shape, fabricate, construct, and assemble high-quality systems prototypes, focusing on practical manufacturing skills for electronic and mechanical systems.

Systems: Appropriate surface treatments and finishes that can be applied to components and systems for functional and aesthetic purposes

This topic covers the application of appropriate surface treatments and finishes to components and systems within the Systems material category, focusing on both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Textiles: Design contexts

This topic covers the design contexts for Textiles, requiring students to apply knowledge of textiles, components, and manufacturing processes when designing or modifying products.

Textiles: The sources, origins, physical and working properties of natural, synthetic, woven, non-woven, knitted, blended and mixed-fibre textiles and their social and ecological footprint

This topic covers the sources, origins, physical and working properties of natural, synthetic, woven, non-woven, knitted, blended and mixed-fibre textiles, along with their social and ecological footprints.

Textiles: The way in which the selection of natural, synthetic, blended and mixed-fibre textiles is influenced

The factors influencing the selection of natural, synthetic, blended and mixed-fibre textiles for specific applications.

Textiles: The impact of forces and stresses on textiles and how they can be reinforced and stiffened

This topic covers the influence of forces and stresses on natural, synthetic, woven, non-woven, knitted, blended, and mixed-fibre textiles, and the techniques used to reinforce and stiffen them.

Textiles: Typical stock forms, types and sizes used to calculate and determine the required quantity of textiles

This topic covers the typical stock forms, types, and sizes of natural, synthetic, woven, non-woven, knitted, blended, and mixed-fibre textiles, and how this knowledge is used to calculate and determine the required quantity of materials for a project.

Textiles: Alternative processes that can be used to manufacture typical textile products to different scales of production

This topic covers alternative manufacturing processes for textile products, focusing on cutting, shaping, and quantity production techniques across different scales of production.

Textiles: Specialist techniques, tools, equipment and processes to shape, fabricate, construct and assemble a high-quality textile prototype

This topic covers the specialist techniques, tools, equipment, and processes required to shape, fabricate, construct, and assemble high-quality textile prototypes, including natural, synthetic, woven, non-woven, knitted, blended, and mixed-fibre textiles.

Textiles: Appropriate surface treatments and finishes that can be applied to textiles for functional and aesthetic purposes

This topic covers the application of various surface treatments and finishes to natural, synthetic, woven, non-woven, knitted, blended, and mixed-fibre textiles to enhance their functional and aesthetic properties.

Timbers: Design contexts

This topic covers the design contexts for timbers, requiring students to apply knowledge and understanding of natural and manufactured timbers, components, and manufacturing processes when designing or modifying products.

Timbers: The sources, origins, physical and working properties of each natural and manufactured timber and their social and ecological footprint

This topic covers the sources, origins, physical and working properties of natural and manufactured timbers, alongside their social and ecological footprints. It requires students to understand how to select appropriate timbers for specific applications based on these factors, as well as the impact of forces and stresses on timber and methods for reinforcement.

Timbers: The way in which the selection of each natural and manufactured timber is influenced

This topic covers the various factors that influence the selection of natural and manufactured timbers for specific design applications, including aesthetic, environmental, availability, cost, social, and cultural/ethical considerations.

Timbers: The impact of forces and stresses on each natural and manufactured timber and how they can be reinforced and stiffened

This topic covers the influence of forces and stresses on natural and manufactured timbers and the methods used to reinforce and stiffen them to improve structural integrity.

Timbers: Typical stock forms, types and sizes used to calculate and determine the required quantity of each natural and manufactured timber

This topic covers the identification and selection of typical stock forms, types, and sizes of natural and manufactured timbers to enable accurate calculation and determination of material quantities required for design and manufacturing projects.

Timbers: Alternative processes that can be used to manufacture typical timber products to different scales of production

This topic covers alternative manufacturing processes for natural and manufactured timbers, including cutting, shaping, and joining techniques, as well as the application of these processes across different scales of production (one-off, batch, mass, and continuous).

Timbers: Specialist techniques, tools, equipment and processes to shape, fabricate, construct and assemble a high-quality timber prototype

This topic covers the specialist techniques, tools, equipment, and processes required to shape, fabricate, construct, and assemble high-quality timber prototypes, including the use of hand tools, machinery, and digital design/manufacture.

Timbers: Appropriate surface treatments and finishes that can be applied to each natural and manufactured timber for functional and aesthetic purposes

This topic covers the appropriate surface treatments and finishes that can be applied to natural and manufactured timbers for both functional and aesthetic purposes, requiring students to understand the application, advantages, and disadvantages of each method.

Component 2: Non-examined assessment (NEA) - Evaluate

The 'Evaluate' stage of the Component 2 Non-examined assessment (NEA) requires students to test their prototype against the product specification and conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine its environmental impact and overall fitness for purpose.

Component 2: Non-examined assessment (NEA) - Design

The 'Evaluate' stage of the Component 2 Non-examined assessment (NEA) requires students to test their prototype against the product specification and conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine its environmental impact and overall fitness for purpose.

Component 2: Non-examined assessment (NEA) - Investigate

The 'Evaluate' stage of the Component 2 Non-examined assessment (NEA) requires students to test their prototype against the product specification and conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine its environmental impact and overall fitness for purpose.

Component 2: Non-examined assessment (NEA) - Make

The 'Evaluate' stage of the Component 2 Non-examined assessment (NEA) requires students to test their prototype against the product specification and conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) to determine its environmental impact and overall fitness for purpose.