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This practical and creative course is perfect if you have taken either Art & Design or Design & Technology (Product Design) for GCSE and if you have an interest in architecture, interior architecture, product and furniture design, set, prop and puppet design for theatre, film and television, jewellery design or ceramics.
3D Design is taught in a studio-based environment within the art department. You will be encouraged to create functional but attractive design solutions to challenging and stimulating briefs. The first year is workshop-based, you will develop skills in using metal, plastics, clay, and other materials commonly used by designers to create small batches, one-offs, and prototype designs. You will gain knowledge of the design industry, skills in working through the design cycle and be introduced to methods for communicating your ideas through drawing (traditional and digital) and model making. You will examine the importance of ergonomics, aesthetics, and ethical approaches to design through hands-on making. The second year will give you the opportunity to use your practical skills in your own project for ‘Component 1 Personal Investigation’, followed by the requirement to respond to an externally set brief for ‘Component 2’. By the end of the course, you will have produced a strong portfolio of work.
Visits to museums and art galleries will enhance your knowledge giving you first-hand visual references. We have close links with universities offering a broad range of design pathways and you will have the access to talks by guest speakers from the industry.
5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language and Mathematics. You should have studied an art or design based GCSE and achieved a minimum of grade 4 in the related subject. It may be possible to gain entry to this course without a GCSE in an art or design related subject by submitting a portfolio showcasing your practical work at interview.
Component 1 Personal Investigation (60%)
This component is a major, in-depth contextual and practical project that enables you to further develop your ideas and specific area of interest within 3D Design. Your practical work consisting of sketchbook work, samples, models, material tests and a final design, is supported by a minimum of 1000 words of extended writing.
Component 2 Externally Set Assignment (40%)
This component requires you to choose and respond to a starting point set by the exam board. You will research and develop ideas during an in-depth project based on your choice which you will bring together in 15 hours of practical controlled test time, where the focus is on completing final outcome independently.
This course is assessed through coursework, portfolio, and an externally set assignment.
Those who wish to pursue a career in design will progress to Higher Education, Apprenticeships, industry employment or self-employment. You will be able to develop a portfolio fit for direct entry to a design-related degree, HND, or pre-degree Foundation course. 3D Design A Level suits progression onto careers in architecture, interior design, product design, set and prop design, puppet design for animation, jewellery design, ceramic design, exhibition design and modelmaking.
