Introduction:
Design and Manufacture at National 4, introduces students to the world of product design and manufacturing. Creativity is at the heart of this Course and its combination with technology makes it exciting and dynamic. The Course combines science, mathematics and technology with design and manufacturing. In the Course, students are encouraged to exercise imagination, creativity and logical thinking.
The Course provides students with skills that allow them to learn live and work more effectively in our advancing technological society. It allows them to become not just effective contributors but informed and discerning consumers.
Course Aims:
The aims of the Course are to enable students to develop:
· Skills in the design and manufacturing prototypes and products.
· Knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes and materials.
· An understanding of the impact of design and manufacturing technologies on our environment and society.
Course Structure and Assessment:
To gain the award of the Course, the learner must pass all of the Units as well as the Added Value Unit which will be graded A –D, unlike unit work, which will be graded on a pass/fail basis.
1. Units are structured as follows:
Unit One: Design
This Unit covers the product design process from brief to resolved design proposals, including specification. It helps students to develop skills in initiating, developing and communicating design proposals. It allows them to develop an appreciation of the design process and the importance of evaluating and resolving design proposals. It allows them to develop an appreciation of design concepts and the various factors that influence the design of products. Unit one is broken down further into 3 specific outcomes:
1. Identify factors that influence design and apply these in a design task.
2. Develop and communicate design concepts for a design task.
3. Evaluate existing products from today’s markets.
Unit Two: Materials and Manufacturing
This Unit covers the product design process from design proposals to prototype or product. It helps students to realise their design by manufacturing their ideas. It allows learners to develop practical skills that are invaluable in the design process. It helps them gain an appreciation of the properties and uses of materials as well as a range of manufacturing processes and techniques. Unit Two is broken down further into 4 specific outcomes:
1. Investigate materials for manufacturing tasks in a workshop context
2. Prepare for manufacturing tasks in a workshop context
3. Plan and implement a manufacturing sequence for a prototype
4. Review the manufacturing processes and finished prototype
2. Course Assessment:
SQA will produce and conduct Course assessments meaning that the following assessments will be moderated externally by the SQA.
The assessment of the Units in this Course will be as follows:
Design and Manufacture: Design
In this Unit, evidence will be provided by the production, evaluation and justification of design proposals, including a simple specification in response to a brief. Knowledge will also be assessed.
Design and Manufacture: Materials and Manufacturing
In this Unit, evidence will be provided by the production and evaluation of simple products in response to given instructions. Knowledge will also be assessed.
Added Value Unit
In this Course, the Added Value Unit will focus on challenge and application. The learner will draw on, extend and apply the skills and knowledge they have developed during the Course. This will be assessed through an assignment requiring application of skills and knowledge from the Units to produce an effective overall response to the brief. The response to the brief will include a design folio and model, a prototype or a completed product.
Course Progression:
National 5: Design and Manufacture.
Possible further study and career routes for students:
Product Design (e.g. electronics, auto-motives, communications), Interior design,
Manufacturing apprenticeships, Design Engineering, Architecture, and Quantity Surveying.
