A product designer can analyse everyday problems and develop concepts to overcome them. Our Product Design students develop their skills as problem-solvers by creating new and exciting products to meet the needs of specific groups of people.
A solution evolves through creative thinking: apply systems you’ve come across in a different context; use materials in an unexpected way.
In the Sixth Form, you experience practical work in the studio, designing and making products using a range of materials and equipment. Your skill and craftsmanship takes a block of material and from it creates a useful product with a visual impact - perhaps packaging, point of sales displays or architectural models - made from card, paper, foam-board or light construction materials.
You also learn to use Desktop Publishing to create visually stimulating images and develop your skills using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM). Theory work relating to commercial design leads to a written examination testing your subject knowledge and design skills. What effect will it have on the environment? What will happen to it when its owner no longer wants it? Have you made it as carbon neutral as it could be?
Graphic Products is a ‘hands-on’ course which is suitable for imaginative students who wish to develop their skills as product designers.
On Monday 14th November Mr Harvey led a group of 16 A Level students to the annual ‘inspired by design’ series of lectures at the London University Institute of Education. This trip offers students the chance to see the work of practicing designers and to hear what it is like to work in the field of product design.
Students were impressed and inspired by a talk delivered from the designers of the Olympic torch and were keen to discuss their views on its futuristic design. Another creation which caught our young designer’s imaginations was conductive paint. The concept of paint conducting electricity raises many design possibilities and pupils were keen to explore this material further.
In addition to the academic side of the lectures, the pupils enjoyed being immersed in a university environment, as for some this was their first visit to a university.
As in previous years, Pascal, the event organiser entertained, baffled or annoyed depending on your outlook. He can always be relied upon to push design ideas to the limits and this year was no exception.
Students opting to study Resistant Materials or Graphics at Sixth Form can look forward to attending this event in Lower Sixth.
Curriculum
To view the Graphic Products curriculum please click here.
Department Staff
Mr Andrew Eckton
Head of Product Design
Brunel University - BSc Industrial Design.
Mr Eckton has developed a passion for well designed products which meet or exceed expectations as well as having a sense of style about them. He enjoys making furniture in his spare time.
Mr Rob Chapman
Winchester college.
Mr Chapman enjoys the problem solving aspect of product design and particularly enjoys applying electronics in innovative ways. Mr Chapman runs an after school club for younger pupils allowing them to further their understanding of electronics. He has designed and made many props for school productions during his time at school.
Mr Sam Harvey
Loughborough University - Product Design.
Mr Harvey is a passionate designer who likes to apply new technologies to solve design problems. He runs after school clubs for many pupils and has made some very creative props for school productions.
Ms Tracy Hodgson
Ms Hodgson is the department technician. She is at home behind a computer keyboard organising orders and materials or behind the blade of a band-saw preparing materials for class projects.