1. A-level Product Design 2015/6
This booklet is a guide for you to use to produce the research section of your A-Level portfolio over summer.
Overview of Year 12
Yr 12
Coursework 25% - (5 Sections)
Exam 25% - materials & processes
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 1 2 3 4 5
Section 1
Minimal sources of information and little awareness of the needs of the client
Narrow range of sources of information supported by relevant practical investigations with little awareness of available technologies or the needs of the client.
A range of sources of information, supported by relevant practical investigations, with some consideration of available technologies and the needs of the client.
Wide range of sources of information, organised and supported by relevant practical investigations, taking into account current trends, available technologies and the needs of the client.
Comprehensive, organised range of sources of information including relevant practical investigations, taking into account current trends, available technologies and the needs of the client.
Investigation and Clarification of Problems
Little analysis of information
Some analysis of information
Good analysis of information
Perceptive analysis of information
The specification identifies a few obvious points which are stated simplistically
The specification is a range of points with one or two points explained
A specification which is a list of points with some explanation
Well-explained specification which reflects research and investigation
Comprehensive specification, well reasoned and based on research and investigation
MARK RANGE
0 – 1 (U)
3 - 4
5 - 6
7 – 8 (A-A*)
HJF 2015

2. A-level Product Design
In order to achieve the full 8 marks in this section the following pages need to be completed
Page 1 – Plan for research
Page 2 - Analysing the brief/ task
Page 3 – Customer profile
Page 4 – Era Research
Page 5 – Designer Research – focussing on current trends
Page 6 – Product Analysis including practical investigation
Page 7 – Questionnaire
Page 8 – Research Analysis
Each page in this booklet provides you with a guide of how to achieve maximum marks.
Where ever you collect information from, please record this at the bottom of each page. E.g copy and paste the website address or list the name of the book.
To achieve full marks for communication and presentation (12 marks) you need to make sure that your portfolio is consistent Eg; the same border, the same fonts used for titles, colours used etc.
HJF 2015

3. A-level Product Design
Page 1 – Plan for research – TIP Do this when you have completed the research.
The page by page list can be used to produce this plan.
The plan can be in table format, a list or a web diagram.
You need to provide a brief explanation as to why you are carrying out each piece and what you think you will find out.
You need to reference time in hours or weeks. (Each one should take you minimum of 1 hour)
EXAMPLE TABLE/LAYOUT
Type of research
Why am I going to do this?
How long will it take?
Analysing brief/task
I am going to analyse a range of information for example costs, materials, decorations etc.
I think this should take about 1 hour
Customer Profile
Era Research
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4. A-level Product Design
Page 2 - Analysing the brief/ task
List as many things that you associate with each heading. This can be presented in a range of ways.
Types of advertising and marketing
Types of products your customer may use
Decorations/finishes, embellishments, finishing details
Materials / fastening / components
Health and safety issues
Types of uses/functions/products
Construction - manufacture techniques
Research methods
Themes
Environmental issues
Costs
Brief
If you have been given a brief then you can include this; if you haven’t, you can include this on the front cover at another time.
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5. A-level Product Design
Page 3 – Customer Profile - Identifying your client group.
Grade A:
I CAN identify a customer, and illustrate them through a selection of images.
I CAN describe this person in a written description. This includes their gender, age range, hobbies, lifestyle and reason for using the products.
I CAN provide a written evaluation of why I have identified the customer and how I am going to use this information when designing.
HJF 2015

6. A-level Product Design
Page 3 – Customer Profile EXTENSION This can be combined on the same page as the general customer profile.
You could analyse your specific customer in further detail. Think about the types of products your customer uses, take photos of them using these and briefly explain. Information includes; name, age, specific needs, hobbies, interests.
3D Product Design – products used in a variety of places; bathroom, sitting room, kitchen
Textiles Product Design – evening wear, sports wear, casual wear, work wear.
You could explain your specific customer,
HJF 2015

7. A-level Product Design
Page 4 – Era Research.
This can be a design/art movement within a specific era or just the era itself.
For example; 1920’s, 1940’s, Art Deco, Bauhaus etc.
I CAN;
Clearly identify the era/ movement.
Select a range of images that inspire me, label any key features and identify types of materials if I know them.
EXTENSION; Ask your customer a question and record the answer.
Eg, what are your favourite features? Why?
Pick out specific colours
Write a brief description about the era, explaining what you are inspired by. I CAN explain how I am going to use this information in the designing and development stages.
HJF 2015

8. A-level Product Design
Page 5 – Designer Research – focussing on current trends
I CAN identify a designer either specific to the era or a current designer.
3D Textiles Product Design - identify future trends Look for collections for 2016
I CAN write a description as to what influences them, point our key features that inspire me
I CAN provide a selection of images that inspire me.
I CAN explain why I like their work, E.g., patterns, materials, shapes, details etc.
EXTENSION; Ask your customer a question and record the answer.
E.g. what are your favourite features? Why?
HJF 2015

9. A-level Product Design
Page 6 – Product Analysis
A GRADE:
I CAN choose a minimum of 6 existing products which are strongly relevant to my design brief.
I CAN analyse these products in detail. (use ACCESSFMM-you could colour coordinate this)
I CAN label key features – (related to construction methods if possible, you could add an image)
I CAN suggest improvements or alternative features (this can be done through the use of images)
EXTENSION; Ask your customer a question and record the answer.
Eg, what are your favourite features? Why?
HJF 2015

10. A-level Product Design
Page 6 – Product Analysis – Practical Research
A- Grade
Take the photos in preparation for the September – take photos of a few garments focussing on how they are made. Turn them inside out and photograph a range of construction techniques, fastenings and components.
HJF 2015

11. A-level Product Design
Page 7 – Questionnaire P.T.O for example layout minimum of 9 questions – use ACCESSFMM
GRADE A: - Your questions do not need to be on a separate page.
I HAVE written a set of questions based on ACCESSFMM. I HAVE used closed questions with selected answers that can be justified.
I CAN use specific terminology within my questions.
IT WOULD BE EXCELLENT IF YOU COULD use images to help illustrate design features, EG seam types, joints, material samples, decorations, equipment used, logos etc.
I CAN produce a series of graphs that show that I have used my numeracy skills to analyse my findings. I HAVE written an evaluation of my findings, describing what I HAVE found and how this will influence my design specification. (P.T.O for example)
I MAY HAVE included a small profile of the type of people I have asked.
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12. Analysis and evaluation
EXAMPLE LAYOUT
Q- How would you prefer your high end fashion garment?
Images
Images – seams etc
COST
Customer
Open question- What do you prefer in a tailored garment
Analysis and evaluation
What did you hope to find out by asking the question?
What does the question tell you? How are you going to use this
information in your development and designs?
Images
Images
Aesthetics
Environment
Analysis and evaluation
Analysis and evaluation

13. What is the product designed for. Reasons for key features.
1.Aesthetics
Sizes of products. Dimensions E.g 20cm x 15cm or 200mm x 150mm Is the design the right size for the function?
4.Cost
6.Size
Think about all the costs E.g. Materials, Overheads E.g. equipment and things that make the equipment work.
Describe colours, textures and
key features E.g. decorations/ finishes
3.Customer
8.Environment
2.Function
Recycle
Reuse
Where would your product be sold?
Where would your product be used?
What will happen to the product when it is finished with?
Bio degradable
Give a range of people you could design for. Other terms for customer are: Target market / audience / client.
Where would this person use the product?
What is the product designed for. Reasons for key features.
5.Materials
9.Manufacture
Name materials that will be used and decorative features. Try to list properties of materials EG strong.
7.Safety
What will you need to manufacture a product? Name equipment and machinery that might be used. Construction details. (joints/seams)
List any safety features on the product that might be relevant.

14. A-level Product Design
Page 8 – Research Analysis
Evaluate the research you listed in your research plan.
This can be in table format, a list or a web diagram.
You need to provide a brief explanation as to what you found out and how you are going to use this in your designing.
You need to reference how long each piece took you.
EXAMPLE TABLE/LAYOUT
HJF 2015