3D Design
For an overview of the pathways through the curriculum, please see our information page here.
Welcome to the 3D Design Department
Our Vision
In technology pupils explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to design and make products. They work with traditional materials and new media, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity when designing and making. They learn to appreciate and value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made. In technology pupils reflect critically on their own and other people’s work, judging quality, value and meaning. They learn to think and act as craftspeople and designers, working creatively and intelligently. They develop an appreciation of design, and its role in the creative and cultural industries that enrich their lives.
Curriculum
Click below to learn about how the Curriculum is planned, delivered and assessed in Design.
KS3
Year 7
Product Design is taught during 1 rotation in year 7. The other 4 rotations the students are taught are Textiles, Art and Food. Within the rotation of 3D Design, students are introduced to the design cycle and are able to explore and develop their practicals skills based on research and own developed designs. From the research students are to experiment with a variety of tools and equipment and learn how to use them correctly, safely effectively. Students are encouraged to modify their work as it develops and produce a sketchbook showing a creative journey through practical and written work.
What is the project?
This project consists of learning the design process and how to work safely in the specialist classroom. Students will learn basic joints and produce a catapult using materials, tools and technology correctly and safely.
What new skills will I be learning?
- safety in the workshop
- Production methods
- Tools and equipment
- design ideas
- work with wood and how to construct items and fix them together
- how to evaluate and modify their work and it progresses
You will also need to complete regular independent learning tasks that can be found on the ‘Show My Homework’ page. A link can be found on the website homepage.
Year 8
Within 3D Design in year 8, students are able to explore and develop their own ideas working from a set brief. Students are to experiment with a variety of materials and learn how to develop the techniques learnt in year 7 with a greater focus on the materials and their working properties. Students are encouraged to modify their work as it develops and produce a sketchbook showing a creative journey through practical and written work.
What is the project?
In this projects students will learn how to design and make a working passive speaker.
What new skills will I be learning?
- safety in the workshop
- Production methods
- Tools and equipment
- Design ideas
- Design styles
- Work with a variety of materials learning how to construct items and fix them together
- How to evaluate and modify their work and it progresses
You will also need to complete regular independent learning tasks which can be found on Show My Homework.
KS4
KS4 Art and Design continues from the visual arts that you have completed in year 7 and 8 in Design. It develops your understanding of visual communication and its meaning.
Year 10 & 11
You already have some experience of using art materials and processes, together with some knowledge of contemporary and historical art and design.
In GCSE 3D Design during KS4 you will learn how
- to use specialist practical skills in 3D materials such as woods, plastics and modelling materials such as plaster and Mod Roc
- to use different production methods
- how to develop design ideas
- how to evaluate and modify their work as it progress
- to produce ever-higher standards of work
- to gain a higher understanding of the Formal Elements used within Design
- to use variety and diversity in your thinking
- to develop critical appraisal and analysis in your work
- to record ideas, make experiments, show analysis and produce outcomes
- to develop a subject specific vocabulary
- to be able to discuss the work of designers, techniques and values of design
- to build upon your sketchbook skills and extend presentation techniques and recording work from your Art/Design lessons at KS3
The GCSE course lasts for five terms in KS4.
You will work on three projects over the first four terms called the Personal Portfolio (Unit 1). In class, we normally call this Controlled Assessment work. We will study the following in that time:
- Artists and Designers are used as a starting point to gain insights to develop ideas
- Construct work in a variety of 3D materials through experimentation
- Record through drawing, photograpghy and written annotation
- Present a final response based on your research to the topic given
- There are two opportunities for Mock Examinations that will contribute to the Personal Portfolio work.
In your last term, you will be working on your exam task called the Externally Set Assignment (Unit 2). This is of a set of 7 questions set by the exam board, of which one will be chosen to research and develop a personal response. This will be approximately 20 hours of preparatory work in lesson time followed by 10 hours in a specialist room to produce a final response.
The GCSE covers a range of activities and in-depth assignments. You will have the opportunity to experiment with different media in order to explore your strengths and preferences. There is a wide range of options within several areas 3D Design. Whatever you choose, the main aim of the course is to develop your visual language skills and for you to build a comprehensive portfolio of work to progress to further courses or employment.