Graphics and Resistant Materials

  

Key Stage 3

The Technology Area works on a Carousel System, approximately 10 weeks each are designated to Graphics and Resistant Materials during year 7, 20 weeks to Graphics in year 8 and 10 weeks in year 9.


Year 7

Graphics: Design a pop-up suitable for use in a celebration card

Pupils are introduced to the design process and concentrate on particular aspects of the process; Task Analysis, Research, Communicating Design ideas, selecting materials to make a simple prototype and evaluation.

Pupils will study the work of Robert Sabuda and existing celebration cards for inspiration for their own designs.

 

Resistant Materials: Wooden Noughts and Crosses Game

This is the first time that pupils have worked in a workshop environment and a particular emphasis is placed on expected behaviour and health and safety.

Pupils are given a piece of uncut wood and a finished game and work in teams to determine the various the steps needed to completion and to plan an order for making. Pupils watch demonstrations of the correct use of equipment and work under close supervision. Work is evaluated on an ongoing basis through discussion with pupils assessing their own work and suggesting areas for improvement.

  

Year 8

Designing for Others / Hanging Display

Pupils will begin to consider the needs and wants of other people in designing a hanging display suitable for a pre school child on a given theme. Particular thought will be given to suitable images and colour to attract attention and give visual appeal. Pupils will look at existing products to gain ideas for construction and to select criteria for what makes a hanging display good.

  

Branding Products

Pupils will be introduced to the concept of branding by researching the work of Wally Ollins who is considered to be somewhat of a guru in this area. They will create the brand image for a new chocolate bar, launched to raise money to sponsor young athletes, and make a prototype of their design for presentation to their client.  

 

Key Stage 4 
 
The work undertaken during Key Stage 4 covers the requirements of the AQA GCSE: Graphic Products examination (Specification 4550). There are two elements to the specification; an formal examination (40%) and a controlled assessment during which pupils will produce a design portfolio (60%).

  

Year 10 (Specification 4550) 

During the year pupils will have two lessons per week; one will be a theory lesson in preparation for the examination, which it is anticipated they will take at the end of the year. The other lesson will be a design lesson, where pupils will be expected to utilise their knowledge in a practical application.

  • Study a range of materials, including smart and modern materials, used in the manufacture and modelling of graphic products. They will look at the source of the raw materials, the manufacturing process, the properties of the materials and the environmental implication of sourcing, manufacturing and disposal of the materials.
  • Learn about the tools used in the manufacture of graphic products, taking into consideration health and safety and risk assessment.
  • Undertake tasks during which they will demonstrate a range of graphical presentational and communication techniques including, hand drawing skill, use of ICT, graphical manipulation and use of mock-ups, models and prototypes.
  • Continue to build on the work undertaken at Key Stage 3, looking at the work of designers with a view to understanding how their work continues to influence new graphic products. In particular further work will be undertaken on corporate identity and branding.
     
  • Have an understanding of a range of manufacturing techniques used in the production of graphic products including commercial printing and enhancement processes, injection moulding and vacuum forming. They will recognise that the scale of production changes from single to multiple units and understand the demands of the different scales of production.
     
  • Understand the social, moral and cultural aspects of design including meeting the needs and wants of the target market, environmental awareness and planned obsolescence.
     
  • Recognise that design work is intellectual property, the need to protect intellectual property and the legal protection of copyright, patent and registered designs. 

Year 11  

Pupils will work independently, with guidance, to complete the controlled assessment. They will be given a choice of design tasks to allow them to select an area that will interest them and are encouraged to take ownership of their design work. The elements of the design portfolio are separated out into different section, with pupils made aware of the deadlines and what is required. Progress is monitored and parents will be notified if there are any problems with progress.

Pupils are encouraged to attend after school sessions two nights per week on a Tuesday and Thursday, until 4.00pm, where they can get additional help and more focused support. Once a deadline is missed these sessions become mandatory until such time as the work is brought up to date.