1. OCR Product Design AS / A2 INDEPENDENT STUDY

2. Product Design Independent Study (I.S) Throughout the duration of both the AS and A2 courses the following I.S tasks are designed to support and underpin all the course modules that you will complete to gain you’re qualification(s). Below we have listed the course modules that you will undertake in both years and explained what skills you will develop in your I.S tasks that will directly affect your performance in these assessed modules. AS 2518 Product Study Analysis – evaluating the success of your product Research – using a variety of sources to investigate the ‘success’ of your chosen product Communication – explaining your findings and adding justification for your conclusions. Also explaining your ideas for development 2519 Case Study Research – using a variety of sources to investigate what your system involves and how successful it works together Communication – Interaction, verbal and written, with professionals to gain information relating to your system. 2520 Product Design 1 Application of knowledge – The knowledge you gain throughout these tasks will be assessed directly in these exams. Graphical communication – In this exam you will be expected to illustrate various processes using annotated sketches

3. Product Design Independent Study (I.S) A2 2522 Designing Research – collation of research Synthesis – evaluating that research to establish a criteria for success (specification) Problem solving – generation of design ideas to fulfil the specification 2523 Making and Evaluating Research – investigating possible methods of manufacture. Purchasing materials and or components 2524 Product Design 2 Application of knowledge – The knowledge you gain throughout these tasks will be assessed directly in these exams. Graphical communication – In this exam you will be expected to respond to a design situation by completing a specification and generating viable design solutions Throughout your independent study tasks and assessed course modules you will develop project management skills, which will require you to Monitor and assess your progress at key points Establish your own time deadlines to meet the overall course deadlines Project management is an essential skill which you not only will need during your education here but also when you move into a new job or further education opportunity.

4. Product Design Independent Study (I.S) Product Tasks – These should be completed weekly and presented in a A4 format Week 1 This week you should complete an in depth product analysis of your chosen product Product Analysis PromptsExemplar Product Analysis Week 2 Using your findings from your product analysis generate a detailed specification for your product. Each point on your specification must be justified and fully explained Also identify which market audience this product is aimed at. Exemplar Specification Week 3 Imagine you are the designer responsible for designing this product. What moral, social and environmental factors would you need to consider and why? You should write approximately 1 A4 sheet per topic e.g 1 for moral Link to www.dictionary.com/ Hint sheet www.dictionary.com/ Week 4 Complete an investigation into current anthropometrical data which relates directly to your product. Then present your findings using statistical data, diagrams and illustrations showing exactly what ergonomic sizes effect your product Link to www.dictionary.com/ Link to Ergonomics Society home page www.dictionary.com/ Ergonomics Society home page

5. Product Design Independent Study (I.S) Product Tasks – These should be completed weekly Week 5 This week investigate the precise materials that have been used to construct and package your product. If you can collect some examples and justify why these materials have been chosen in terms of their inherent properties and qualities Link to www.designandtech.comwww.designandtech.com Week 6 Using your information you have gathered from your materials investigation. Research what manufacturing processes have been used to take these materials from their raw state to the finished product. In addition, explain what processes have been used to make the packaging of the product Link to www.designandtech.comwww.designandtech.com Week 7 Following on from last week use the information you gathered on manufacturing processes to construct a flowchart showing the key stages of manufacture. Also this flowchart should also illustrate where quality control takes place. Link to http://www.smartdraw.com/resources/examples/business/flowcharts.htmhttp://www.smartdraw.com/resources/examples/business/flowcharts.htm Week 8 Illustrate an example of the type of packaging used by your product and complete a product analysis of it. Is it successful? Remember to evaluate its success in transit, storage and display. Link to www.designandtech.comwww.designandtech.com

6. Product Design Independent Study (I.S) Product Tasks – These should be completed weekly Week 9 How is your product marketed? What types of advertising are used to promote it to your target audience? E.g magazines, the net, poster boards, TV, radio etc.. Which do you think is the most successful form of advertising to promote your product Link to www.designandtech.comLink to www.google.comwww.designandtech.comwww.google.com Week 10 CAD / CAM and CIM are used in a variety of ways. How have these been used to design, manufacture and promote your product. Link to www.designandtech.comwww.designandtech.com Week 11 Health and safety is vital to the success of a product. How does it effect the designer, manufacturer, distributor and consumer? Link to www.bsieducation.org/www.bsieducation.org/ Week 12 Accurate graphics and labelling of your product for the retailer and consumer are very important. Explain what graphics and labelling is included on your product and its packaging. Also evaluate their purpose and need. Link to www.google.comLink to www.bsieducation.org/www.google.comwww.bsieducation.org/