A-level Design and Technology₇₅₆₂

Iterative design process.

Different approaches to user centred design. That in approaching a design challenge there is not a single process, but that good design always addresses many issues, including:

• designing to meet a need
• investigations to inform the use of primary and secondary data including market research, interviews, human factors, focus groups, product analysis and evaluation, the use of anthropometric data and percentiles, the use of ergonomic data
• the development of a design proposal
• the planning and manufacture of a prototype solution
• the evaluation of a prototype solution to inform further development.

Representation of data used to inform design decisions and evaluation of outcomes.

The use of ergonomic and anthropometric data when designing products for humans and specific applications.

Design influences.

How key historical design styles, design movements and influential designers that helped to shape fashion and textile design and manufacture.

Design styles and movements.

Key design styles and movements and their principles of design, including:

• Art Nouveau
• Art Deco
• Pop-art
• Minimalism
• Punk.

Designers and their work.

The work of influential designers and how their work represents the principles of different design movements, including:

• Paul Poiret
• Chanel
• Dior
• Mary Quant
• Yves St Laurent
• Pierre Cardin
• Vivienne Westwood
• McQueen.

Socioeconomic influences have helped to shape product design and manufacture, including:

• trends
• street culture music and media
• world events, eg WW1, WW2
• the rise of youth culture and anti-authoritarian attitudes
• the influence of workwear garments on fashion
• the role of women in society
• sport and leisure
• technological developments
• music, film, royalty and celebrities.

How major developments in technology are shaping product design and manufacture, including:

• the introduction of regenerated and synthetic fibres during the 20th century
• the development of fabric finishes, e-textiles and smart materials
• new methods of manufacturing clothing and textile materials including mass production as opposed to bespoke, automated manufacturing including CAD and CAM
• new decorative techniques such as laser printing
• development in the care of textiles.

An awareness of scientific advancements/discoveries and their potential development.

The stages of the product life cycle, including:

• design introduction
• evolution
• growth
• maturity
• decline
• replacement.

Students should be able illustrate their understanding with examples of how, with reference to specific products, designers have refined and redeveloped products.

The responsibilities of designers and manufacturers, including:

• products are made using sustainable materials and ethical production methods
• the development of products that are culturally acceptable, not offensive to people of different race, gender or religious belief
• the development of products that are inclusive
• the design and manufacture of products that could assist with social problems, eg poverty, health and wellbeing, migration and housing
• the impact of Fairtrade on design and consumer demand
• designing products to consider the six Rs of sustainability
• the concept of upcycling.

The stages of a range of design processes in order to apply personal judgement and relevant criteria in the appraisal of products and systems, including:

• investigations and analysis
• use of inspiration materials, eg mood boards
• ideas generation
• illustration
• modelling
• planning
• evaluating and testing.

Prototype development.

Students should be aware of, and able to discuss and demonstrate, the development of a prototype from design proposals.

This knowledge should influence the development of design ideas for the NEA so that students may make high quality products the meet the needs of identified users.

Students should have knowledge and experience of:

• basic pattern/template drafting, knowledge and use of technical terms, including:
  • basic block
  • labelling
  • notching
  • balance marks
  • seam allowance
• be able to work from a set of basic block patterns, developed from individual measurements or from commercial basic block, including:
  • bodice front and back
  • sleeve, skirt and trouser front and back
• basic adaptations to create unique and individual styles:
  • manipulation of the basic templates to develop patterns as required
  • moving of darts and seams to create new fullness
  • shaping or creating yokes
• use of toiles: how toiles are used to test and develop fashion and clothing products and pattern templates.

The use of mathematics in developing pattern templates

The iterative design process in industrial or commercial contexts.

How different design methodologies are used by designers in the corporate world when designing products including collaborative working and the cyclic nature of commercial design and manufacture.

Critical analysis and evaluation.

Students should be aware of, and able to discuss, their own and commercial products leading to possible improvements/modifications of the original idea.

Testing and evaluating products in commercial products.

How products are required to undergo rigorous testing, and the testing methods used, before they become commercially available for sale.

Use of third party feedback in the testing and evaluation process.

How the use of feedback and testing informs the evaluation process, including:

• informing future modification and development
• the importance of ensuring the views of other interested parties are sought in order to have objective and unbiased feedback.

Good and safe working practices, including:

• the importance of using the correct tools and equipment for specific tasks
• the importance of ensuring their own safety and that of others when in a workshop situation
• how designs are developed from a single prototype into mass produced products
• the effect on the manufacturing process that is brought about by the need for batch and mass manufacture
• how to select the most appropriate manufacturing process to be able to realise theirs, or others’ design proposals
• the importance of health and safety in a commercial setting including workforce training and national safety standards.

Measuring and marking out.

The importance of accuracy in manufacturing, whatever the scale of production, including:

• how testing can eliminate errors
• the value in the use of measuring aids, eg templates, in ensuring consistency of accuracy and the reduction of possible human error.

Determining quantities of materials.

Calculation of sides and angles of products.

Use of datum points and geometry when setting out design drawings.

Use of geometry to create templates for designs.

The importance of environmental issues in design and manufacture, including:

• the responsibilities of designers and manufacturers in ensuring products are made from sustainable materials and components
• the environmental impact of sourcing textile materials, their use and care on the environment
• the environmental impact of packaging textile products, eg use of excessive packaging and plastic.

Templates for designs.

The concept of a circular economy, including:

• how products are designed to conserve energy, materials and components
• the design of fashion, clothing and textiles for minimum impact on the environment including raw material extraction, consumption, ease of repair, maintenance and end of life
• sustainable manufacturing including the use of alternative energy and methods to minimise waste
• the impact of waste, surplus and by-products created in the process of manufacture including reuse of material off-cuts, chemicals, heat and water
• cost implications of dealing with waste
• the impact of global manufacturing on product miles.

Planning for accuracy and efficiency.

The importance of planning for accuracy when making prototypes and making recommendations for small, medium and large scale production.

Calculations based on economies of scale.

The impact of one way designs, nap and pattern on fabric layouts.

Quality assurance.

The procedures and policies put in place to reduce waste and ensure manufactured products are produced accurately and within acceptable tolerances, including quality assurance systems, including, Total Quality Management (TQM), and how they are applied to specific examples in fashion, clothing and textiles manufacture, including critical path analysis, scrum or six sigma.

Quality control.

The monitoring, checking and testing of materials, components, equipment and products throughout production to ensure they conform to acceptable tolerances.

Product sampling.

Quick response manufacturing teams and quality circles.

Automated equipment to check for faults in fabrics.

Labelling and quality assurance symbols, eg wool mark, 100% cotton logo, Tencel® logo, Teflon® fabric finish logo.

Quality control standards as laid down by BSI and voluntary codes of practice.

Relevant national and international standards.

Students should be aware of, and able to discuss, the importance of national and international standards in product design, including:

• the four areas to be considered when labelling a garment: fibre content, country of origin, care instructions, flammability
• British Standards Institute (BSI): performance codes in relation to the selection of materials for a range of end users
• International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).
• the European Eco label
• packaging directives.