This course enables students to develop their skills as a musician and a performer in all kinds of ways. You will work on your practical skills as well as your analytical skills in performance practice. You will also develop your knowledge of the development of popular music up to the present day and take part in organising events and projects which you will develop and lead yourself. You will look into the structure of the music industry and how to prepare to enter it yourself as an accomplished, all round musician. There are additional units exploring the relationship between musicians and the media, instrumental development and composing music.
Years 1 and 2
Students produce one portfolio that contains evidence of investigation, design and development, and evaluation. The portfolio comprises: performance analysis, market research, materials and components, product manufacture, design and development, production planning, product manufacture and testing. When completing this portfolio, students can choose which route they would like to work towards, combining all of the disciplines within product design. This covers resistant materials, textiles, systems and control, as well as graphics.
Component 1: Design and Technology in the 21st century 50%
This covers materials, designing and innovation, processes and techniques, public interaction, human responsibility, industrial and commercial practice, and product analysis and systems. All areas will be taught throughout the two years of the course, through a number of small mini projects as well as throughout the coursework. This will then be examined at the end of the two years with a three-hour exam.
Component 2: Design and Make Project 50%
In this unit students are given the opportunity to apply the skills they have acquired and developed throughout this course of study. They will be asked to design and make a product that meets their chosen brief, that complies with the requirements of product design covering many disciplines. Prior to this, students will develop their own style of design work and begin to explore a range of briefs. Students will develop their understanding of coursework and the elements needed to be successful.
The two year A Level course has one formal exam worth 50%. The paper includes calculations (15%), short-open and open-response questions, as well as extended-writing questions. The exam will be a threehour paper. The assessment also includes an internal design and make assessment, which is worth 50%, and which includes a formal and informal portfolio along with a final prototype.
Product Design is a popular subject for Higher Education and through its development of transferable skills will enable you to pursue many potential career paths. Product Design graduates have progressed to careers in engineering, teaching, architecture, CAD, design illustration and various aspects of industrial design, interior design, garden design, marketing, advertising and furniture design.
