Design and Manufacture

Introduction

Design and Technology looks to introduce learners to design, materials and manufacturing processes. It provides learners with the skills needed to communicate ideas through drawing and modelling, but also an understanding of the technologies and materials that exist at the disposal of modern designers. In different settings – the workshop, the graphics room or design studio – learners tackle project-based work developing the skills that will allow them to become innovative and critically minded members of society. 

Learners build an understanding of technology and its impact on wider society, thinking about questions of sustainability and how they can make choices as young designers that positively impact the world around them.

Staff

Mrs. A. McCabe, Design & Technology (Faculty Head)

Mr. J. Murray, Design & Technology (Principal Teacher of STEM Initiatives)

Mr. A. Eunson, Design & Technology

Curriculum

Senior Phase

The Design & Manufacture course provides a broad and in depth experience in product design and manufacture. Creativity is at the heart of this course and its combination with design theory and technological innovation makes it exciting and dynamic. Pupils will have the opportunity to further develop their skills in a wide variety of Design and Manufacturing processes.  This will include applied use of evaluating, researching, idea generation and specification writing for using with a design brief. Pupils will be able to take knowledge gained from materials and manufacturing experiences and apply to generating a design proposal which will either have a final model made for evaluation purposes.  Pupils will gain experience of rapid prototyping technologies such as laser cutting, 3D scanning/printing. 

Learning Experiences

Within the design studio, you will engage with the design process by generating ideas using a range of graphical techniques and modelling, sketching and rendering ideas on paper or modelling on the computer. You will learn and understand how design can impact our environment and society. You will gain a knowledge and understanding of materials, learning the value in the use of metal, wood and plastic and why designers make the choices they do.  You will learn about batch, mass and bespoke production are affected by the demand and supply of products. At National 5 to test your assumptions and communicate your ideas you will then enter the workshop to see these skills and techniques in action, producing 3-dimensional design proposals. Good dexterity and knowledge of manual skills is required at this stage. However at both Higher and Advanced Higher do not require a practical element – here design theory, history of design and future innovations.

Life and Work

The course is valuable for candidates attracted by the creative activities required to design and manufacture commercial products. It will teach you to be innovative and resourceful when exploring and resolving problems, a skill set that has value in all courses of study or work. In honing your critical thinking skills, and the teaching the techniques needed to solve problems it provides a foundation for those considering further study or a career in product design, manufacturing and engineering. For any three dimensional thinkers it also offers a complementary experience for those studying subjects in the technologies and creative arts. 

Resources

https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45786.html – Link to past papers, course specification and Understanding Standards material 

https://www.designclass.co.uk/designmanufacture.html – a useful resource to help prepare for the course and revise for examinations. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z6xpb9q – BBC Bitesize for National 5 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zwd7pv4 – BBC Bitesize for Higher