Alevel Product Design This booklet is a guide

A-level Product Design This booklet is a guide for you to use to produce the research section of your A-Level portfolio over summer. Overview of Year 12 Yr 12 Coursework 25% - (5 Sections) Exam 25% - materials & processes ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 1 Minimal sources of information and little awareness of the needs of the client Section 1 Investigation and Clarification of Problems The specification identifies a few obvious points which are stated simplistically MARK RANGE 0 – 1 (U) 2 Narrow range of sources of information supported by relevant practical investigations with little awareness of available technologies or the needs of the client. Little analysis of information 3 5 A range of sources of information, supported by relevant practical investigations, with some consideration of available technologies and the needs of the client. Wide range of sources of Comprehensive, information, organised range of and supported by sources of information relevant practical including relevant investigations, taking practical investigations, into account current taking into account trends, available current trends, available technologies and the needs of the client. Some analysis of information Good analysis of information Perceptive analysis of information Well-explained specification which reflects research and investigation Comprehensive specification, well reasoned and based on research and investigation The specification A specification which is is a range of a list of points with one or some explanation two points explained 2 4 3 -4 5 -6 7 – 8 (A-A*) HJF 2015

A-level Product Design In order to achieve the full 8 marks in this section the following pages need to be completed Page 1 – Plan for research Page 2 - Analysing the brief/ task Page 3 – Customer profile Page 4 – Era Research Page 5 – Designer Research – focussing on current trends Page 6 – Product Analysis including practical investigation Page 7 – Questionnaire Page 8 – Research Analysis Each page in this booklet provides you with a guide of how to achieve maximum marks. Where ever you collect information from, please record this at the bottom of each page. E. g copy and paste the website address or list the name of the book. To achieve full marks for communication and presentation (12 marks) you need to make sure that your portfolio is consistent Eg; the same border, the same fonts used for titles, colours used etc. HJF 2015

A-level Product Design Page 1 – Plan for research – TIP Do this when you have completed the research. • The page by page list can be used to produce this plan. • The plan can be in table format, a list or a web diagram. • You need to provide a brief explanation as to why you are carrying out each piece and what you think you will find out. • You need to reference time in hours or weeks. (Each one should take you minimum of 1 hour) EXAMPLE TABLE/LAYOUT Type of research Why am I going to do this? How long will it take? Analysing brief/task I am going to analyse a range of information for example costs, materials, decorations etc. I think this should take about 1 hour Customer Profile Era Research HJF 2015

A-level Product Design Page 2 - Analysing the brief/ task List as many things that you associate with each heading. This can be presented in a range of ways. • • • Types of advertising and marketing Types of products your customer may use Decorations/finishes, embellishments, finishing details Materials / fastening / components Health and safety issues Types of uses/functions/products Construction - manufacture techniques Research methods Themes Environmental issues Costs Brief If you have been given a brief then you can include this; if you haven’t, you can include this on the front cover at another time. HJF 2015

A-level Product Design Page 3 – Customer Profile - Identifying your client group. Grade A: I CAN identify a customer, and illustrate them through a selection of images. I CAN describe this person in a written description. This includes their gender, age range, hobbies, lifestyle and reason for using the products. I CAN provide a written evaluation of why I have identified the customer and how I am going to use this information when designing. HJF 2015

A-level Product Design Page 3 – Customer Profile EXTENSION This can be combined on the same page as the general customer profile. You could analyse your specific customer in further detail. Think about the types of products your customer uses, take photos of them using these and briefly explain. Information includes; name, age, specific needs, hobbies, interests. 3 D Product Design – products used in a variety of places; bathroom, sitting room, kitchen Textiles Product Design – evening wear, sports wear, casual wear, work wear. You could explain your specific customer, HJF 2015

A-level Product Design Page 4 – Era Research. This can be a design/art movement within a specific era or just the era itself. For example; 1920’s, 1940’s, Art Deco, Bauhaus etc. I CAN; • Clearly identify the era/ movement. • Select a range of images that inspire me, label any key features and identify types of materials if I know them. • EXTENSION; Ask your customer a question and record the answer. Eg, what are your favourite features? Why? • Pick out specific colours • Write a brief description about the era, explaining what you are inspired by. I CAN explain how I am going to use this information in the designing and development stages. HJF 2015

A-level Product Design Page 5 – Designer Research – focussing on current trends I CAN identify a designer either specific to the era or a current designer. 3 D Textiles Product Design - identify future trends WWW. STYLE. COM Look for collections for 2016 I CAN write a description as to what influences them, point our key features that inspire me I CAN provide a selection of images that inspire me. I CAN explain why I like their work, E. g. , patterns, materials, shapes, details etc. EXTENSION; Ask your customer a question and record the answer. E. g. what are your favourite features? Why? HJF 2015

A-level Product Design Page 6 – Product Analysis A GRADE: I CAN choose a minimum of 6 existing products which are strongly relevant to my design brief. I CAN analyse these products in detail. (use ACCESSFMM-you could colour coordinate this) I CAN label key features – (related to construction methods if possible, you could add an image) I CAN suggest improvements or alternative features (this can be done through the use of images) • EXTENSION; Ask your customer a question and record the answer. Eg, what are your favourite features? Why? HJF 2015

A-level Product Design Page 6 – Product Analysis – Practical Research A- Grade Take the photos in preparation for the September – take photos of a few garments focussing on how they are made. Turn them inside out and photograph a range of construction techniques, fastenings and components. HJF 2015

A-level Product Design Page 7 – Questionnaire P. T. O for example layout minimum of 9 questions – use ACCESSFMM GRADE A: - Your questions do not need to be on a separate page. I HAVE written a set of questions based on ACCESSFMM. I HAVE used closed questions with selected answers that can be justified. I CAN use specific terminology within my questions. IT WOULD BE EXCELLENT IF YOU COULD use images to help illustrate design features, EG seam types, joints, material samples, decorations, equipment used, logos etc. I CAN produce a series of graphs that show that I have used my numeracy skills to analyse my findings. I HAVE written an evaluation of my findings, describing what I HAVE found and how this will influence my design specification. (P. T. O for example) I MAY HAVE included a small profile of the type of people I have asked. HJF 2015

EXAMPLE LAYOUT Q- How would you prefer your high end fashion garment? COST Customer Images – seams etc Open question- What do you prefer in a tailored garment Analysis and evaluation What did you hope to find out by asking the question? What does the question tell you? How are you going to use this information in your development and designs? Aesthetics Environment Images Analysis and evaluation

1. Aesthetics 4. Cost Sizes of products. Dimensions E. g 20 cm x 15 cm or 200 mm x 150 mm Is the design the right size for the function? 6. Size Think about all the costs E. g. Materials, Describe colours, textures and Overheads E. g. equipment and things that key features E. g. decorations/ finishes make the equipment work. 3. Customer 8. Environment 2. Function • Recycle Give a range of people you could design for. Other terms for customer are: Target market / audience / Where would your product be sold? client. What • Reuse Where would your product be used? Where would this person use the product? What will happen to the product when it is finished with? • 5. Materials is the product designed for. Reasons for key features. Bio degradable 7. Safety Name materials that will be used and decorative features. Try to list properties of 9. Manufacture materials EG strong. List any safety features on the product that might be relevant. What will you need to manufacture a product? Name equipment and machinery that might be used. Construction details. (joints/seams)

A-level Product Design Page 8 – Research Analysis • Evaluate the research you listed in your research plan. • This can be in table format, a list or a web diagram. • You need to provide a brief explanation as to what you found out and how you are going to use this in your designing. • You need to reference how long each piece took you. EXAMPLE TABLE/LAYOUT HJF 2015