Design Technology Faculty

Assumed Knowledge:   

Digital Communication Solutions – CAD, builds on the understanding of the concepts and development of skills taught in Year 10 CAD 

A minimum B grade in Year 10 CAD is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 1 subject.  

Course Description:   

This is a practical based subject focusing on product design using Computer Aided Design (CAD) modelling software. Students will use a range of Computer Aided Design processes such as part modelling, assembling, technical drawing and rendering to design and make products with Autodesk Inventor 3D CAD software, in the context of communication products. 

All students will complete two compulsory skills tasks and application tasks that will comprise one Materials Application task and a two Specialised Skills tasks. 

Students will complete a Design Folio to research and develop their individual major and minor products. The Design Folio includes Investigation, Planning, Production Record, Issues task and Evaluation tasks. Students produce and present their Major and Minor product designs using a range of specialised 2D and 3D software applications. 

Assessment: 

Skills Tasks 10% 

Design Folio 20%  

Product 70% 

Assumed Knowledge:  

Robotic & Electronic Systems builds on the understanding of the concepts and development of skills taught in Year 10 Systems. 

A minimum B grade in Year 10 Systems is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 1 subject.  

Course Description:   

Students will use coding to gain an understanding of controlling systems in real world contexts.  Project based practical work will challenge students to generate complex and well-resolved prototypes to solve engineering challenges. 

This is a practical, project-based subject focusing on automated control through the coding of an Arduino (micro controller). It will focus on systems, and how they can be used to solve problems.  Students will gain an understanding of control principles as well as how to design and engineer custom parts to provide novel solutions to problems. 

Students will be required identify a real-world problem and then devise a prototype which uses automated systems to solve the problem. 

This course will give students an appreciation of real-world engineering design challenges as they will need to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to manage finite resources, working within constraints to deliver their product solution.  The focus on physical automated control systems will also require students to work within tight technical specifications in the creation of project components. 

This course is related to the fields of ICT, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, manufacture, industrial design, and digital media production. 

Assessment: 

Skills Tasks 10% 

Design Folio 20%  

Product 70% 

Assumed Knowledge:  

Materials Solutions – Metal, builds on the understanding of the concepts and development of skills taught in Year 10 Metalwork. 

A minimum C grade in Year 10 Metalwork is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 1 subject. 

Course description:  

This is a practical based subject in which students will use a range of manufacturing technologies such as tools, machines, and equipment to design and make products with the resistant material, in the context of material products. 

Students will complete two compulsory Skills Tasks where they will: 

Document skill development in practice welding activities through photographic evidence with recorded oral discussion or written comments. Students evaluate their learning in undertaking the task through one or more capabilities and state its relevance in the design and realisation process. 

Students will also undertake a Design Folio and Solution where they will: 

Investigate and create a design brief. Investigate and analyse products that clearly connect to their design brief. Throughout the investigation students will explore product features such as function, aesthetics and constraints in direct relation to their brief. 

Design, develop and plan concepts that they have analysed from their investigation. Create a variety of solutions for the brief using drawings and sketches. Validate a designed solution that best meets the brief and develop a series of drawings to support their production process. Student will develop a material and costing list for the product, as well as a procedure and schedule for the safe and timely manufacture of their product. Produce a product by applying skills, processes, procedures, and techniques to create the product that best meets their design brief. 

Students then evaluate the design process and product they have created in response to their design brief as well as their product realisation. 

Assessment: 

Skills Tasks 10% 

Design Folio 20% 

Product 70% 

Assumed Knowledge:  

Materials Solutions – Wood, builds on the understanding of the concepts and development of skills taught in Year 10 Woodwork/Metalwork or Gateway to Trade. 

A minimum C grade in Year 10 Wood/Metal or Gateway to Trade is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 1 subject.  

Course description:  

This is a practical based subject in which students will use a range of manufacturing technologies such as tools, machines, and equipment to design and make products with solid timber and manufactured board, in the context of furniture construction. 

Students will complete two compulsory Skills Tasks where they will use a range of hand tools and machinery to produce joint examples in solid timber and manufactured board. Students will document their learning through photographic evidence with recorded oral discussion or written comments. These tasks form the basis of joining methods for the Product. 

Students will also undertake a Design Folio and Solution. Students produce a design folio where they will investigate and create a design brief. Investigate and analyse products that clearly connect to their design brief. Throughout the investigation students will explore product features such as function, aesthetics, and constraints in direct relation to their brief. From here they will develop, plan, produce, and evaluate a product by applying skills, processes, procedures, and techniques to create the product that best meets their design brief. 

Assessment: 

Skills Tasks 10% 

Design Folio 20%  

Product 70% 

Assumed Knowledge:  

No prerequisites or assumed knowledge; however, previous experience in Art, Design, CAD or Design Technology in Year 9 or 10 is desirable. Students must have an interest in Visual Art and in developing their practical skills. 

Course description:  

In Year 11 Visual Arts students continue to develop their practical skills and understanding by studying a selection of art movements, artists, media and themes. They continue to work towards developing an effective self-instigated and independent way of working in preparation for Year 12. 

Students develop the skills to conceive, develop and make artworks that reflect the development of their own ideas and individual artistic style. They demonstrate visual thinking through the documentation and evaluation of their ideas and skills.  The application of technical skill across a range of diverse art media is a primary focus of the course. Students analyse, interpret and respond to visual arts in different contexts and communicate their understanding of their own and other artists’ works. 

Assessment: 

Visual Studies - 30%  

Students complete two Visual Studies based on an aspect experimental and/or experiential focus of work.            

Folio – 40%  

Students complete practical folios supported by developmental and preparatory work. The nature of the folio can be 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional or a combination of both. 

The folio includes the ideation, research and development of student visual ideas on a set class theme, culminating in the planning for a final practical artwork 

Practical – 30%  

Students complete at least two practical works linked to each of their folios. The practical work is resolved from visual thinking and learning documented in the folio and includes artworks and a practitioner’s statement. 

Assumed Knowledge:  

No prerequisites or assumed knowledge but previous experience with Art or Design or CAD in Year 9 or 10 is desirable. There is an emphasis on introducing skills, knowledge and concepts which cater for students who have had varied previous experiences with Art or Design and are now wishing to specialise in Design. This course also caters to those who have had limited exposure to the subject area. The course is separated into two parts, Graphic Design taught for the first two terms, and Sustainable Architecture taught for the last two terms. 

Course description:  

The Graphic Design section of the course focuses upon exploring the creative thinking processes and the media used to visually communicate in society. Students are exposed to exploring visual design applications such as logo design, package and poster design, website design and illustration. Theories of design practice are explored as is the integral relationship between typography and graphic communication. Design media are explored, and technical skills refined through using the Adobe suite of design software including Photoshop and Illustrator. Drawing, photography and packaging mock ups are also explored in more depth. Students with interests in creative expression and computer‐based art will enjoy the focus of this course. The Graphic Design course rewards individuality through creative and critical thinking and caters for students who wish to explore their graphic design thinking and learning through digital mediums.  

The Sustainable Architecture section of the course focuses upon exploring the creative thinking processes and the theory and principles which underpin sustainable architectural design and passive solar design. Students are exposed to exploring sustainable architectural design applications across the globe, including considering different climatic conditions as well as building and construction methods which promote sustainability. Theories of sustainable design practice are explored as is the integral relationship between form and function within the built environment as it relates to passive and active energy usage in a building’s lifespan. This course was updated in 2022 as a pilot collaboration with the University of South Australia’s School of Architecture who have contributed to the Sustainable Architecture curriculum content. Design media are explored, and technical skills refined through using the Adobe suite of design software including Photoshop and Illustrator and the architectural software Trimble Sketch‐up. Drawing, photography and model making are also explored in depth. The Sustainable Architecture course rewards individuality through creative and critical thinking and caters for students who wish to explore their design thinking and learning through digital mediums, with a sustainable ideology and context.  Students with interests in creative expression, 3‐D graphics, sustainability and engineering will enjoy the focus of this course. 

Assessment: 

Folio 40% 

Documents the creative design process within graphic design and architecture  

Practical 30% 

Showcases skills in the final resolution of design ideas using Design media  
 

Visual Study 30%  

Analysis and synthesis of design skills and knowledge within graphic design and architecture  

Assumed Knowledge:   

Digital Communication Solutions (CAD) builds on the understanding of the concepts and development of skills taught in Stage 1 Digital Communication Solutions (CAD) 

A minimum B grade in Stage 1 Digital Communication Solutions (CAD) is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 2 subject. 

Course Description: This is a practical based subject in which students will use a range of Computer Aided Design processes and techniques to design and make products using 3D Parametric CAD Software, in the context of communication products. 

All students will complete three compulsory Skills and Applications tasks that will comprise one Materials Application task and a two Specialised Skills tasks. 

Students will complete a Design Folio to research and develop their individual major product. The Design Folio includes Investigation, Planning, Production Record, Issues task and Evaluation tasks. Students produce and present their product design using a range of specialised 2D and 3D software applications. 

Assessment:  Assessment at Stage 2 requires students to demonstrate evidence of their learning through the following assessment types: 

School-based Assessment (70%)  

Skills and Applications Task 20% 

Product 50% 

External Assessment (30%) 

Resource Study 30%.   

Assumed Knowledge:  

Robotic and Electronic Systems builds on the understanding of the concepts and development of skills taught in Stage 1 Robotic and Electronic Systems.  

A minimum B grade in Stage 1 Robotic and Electronic Systems is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 2 subject. 

Course Description: Students will build on their existing knowledge and skills to design, plan, test, modify and evaluate an Arduino microcontroller-based project. The scope of the project will be free choice requiring the product to have multiple inputs and outputs. Students will use existing coding as well as writing their own to control the hardware. With the emphasis being on electronics, both the coding and the physical product will be assessed.  

• Examples of possible project ideas: 
• Drones – land, air, or sea 
• Alarm systems. 
• Bluetooth control 
• Autonomous vehicles 
• WIFI control 
• WIFI home automation 

Assessment: 

• School-based Assessment (70%)  
• Skills and Applications Task 20% 
• Product 50% 
• External Assessment (30%) 
• Folio 30%.   

Assumed Knowledge:

Materials Products - Metal builds on the understanding of the concepts and development of skills taught in Stage 1 Materials Solution - Metal

A minimum B grade in Stage 1 Materials Solution - Metal is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 2 subject.

Course description:

This is a practical based subject in which students will use a range of metalworking processes and techniques to design and make products using the resistant material metals, in the context of material products.

Students will complete two compulsory Skills Tasks where they will:

Document skill development in practice welding activities through photographic evidence with recorded oral discussion or written comments. Students evaluate their learning in undertaking the task through one or more capabilities and state its relevance in the design and realisation process.

Students will also undertake Design Process and Product tasks where they will:

Investigate and create a design brief. Investigate and analyse products that clearly connect to their design brief. Throughout the investigation students will explore product features such as function, aesthetics, and constraints in direct relation to their brief.

Design, develop and plan concepts that they have analysed from their investigation. Create a variety of solutions for the brief using drawings and sketches. Validate a designed solution that best meets the brief and develop a series of drawings to support their production process. Student will develop a material and costing list for the product, as well as a procedure and schedule for the safe and timely manufacture of their product. Produce a product by applying skills, processes, procedures, and techniques to create the product that best meets their design brief.

Evaluate the design process and product they have created in response to their design brief as well as their product realisation.

Students will produce a Resource Study comprising of:

• Resource Investigation: Students will investigate and analyse the functional characteristics and properties of two or more materials of their choice. Students will create a series of tests to generate data on the functional characteristics of the materials.
• Issues Exploration: Students will also investigate the sustainability of the materials they test and explore ethical issues related to their designed solution.

Assessment:

School-based Assessment (70%)

Skills and Applications Task 20%

Product 50%

External Assessment (30%)

Folio 30%.

Stage 2 Visual Arts - Art Knowledge:

Materials Products - Wood builds on the understanding of the concepts and development of skills taught in Stage 1 Materials Solution - Wood

A minimum B grade in Stage 1 Materials Solution - Wood is needed to be prepared for passing this Stage 2 subject.

Course description:

This is a practical based subject in which students will use a range of woodworking processes and techniques to design and make a product using solid timber and other materials, in the context of furniture design and construction.

Students will complete two compulsory Specialised Skills Tasks where they will create solid timber joints using hand tools and machinery. Students will document their skill development using photographic evidence with written comments. They evaluate their learning and state any relevance to the design and realisation of their product.

Students will also undertake Design Process and Product tasks where they will construct an item of furniture of their own design. They begin by producing a design folio documenting the investigation, planning, production, and evaluation of their product.

Students will produce a Resource Study comprising of a Resource Investigation in which students will investigate and analyse the functional characteristics and properties of two or more materials of their choice related to their product. Students will create a series of tests to generate data on the functional characteristics of the materials.

The second part of the Resource Study is the Issues Exploration where students will also investigate the sustainability of the materials they test and explore ethical issues related to their designed solution.

Assessment:

School-based Assessment (70%)

Skills and Applications Task 20%

Product 50%

External Assessment (30%)

Resource Study 30%.

Assumed Knowledge:

No prerequisites or assumed knowledge; however, previous experience in Art, Design, CAD or Design Technology in year 11 is desirable. Students can enter the course with limited previous exposure to art but must have an interest in art and in developing their skills

Course description:

Visual Arts – Art is a practical course in which students work independently to specialise in art disciplines, themes, methods and materials that they are passionate about. For instance, a student may choose to explore the theme of identity through portraiture in painting and mixed media, or texture, pattern and representation of place through ceramics. Students select artists and art movements related to their area of interest to analyse, interpret and evaluate and to inspire their own artistic practice.

Visual Arts – Art encourages students to bring their own personal experiences, ideas and beliefs to their artistic practice to communicate visually with others, and to make connections between their works and the works and ideas of other artists. To assist with this, students will be required to engage in excursions, workshops and forums both during and out of class time.

Assessment:

School-based Assessment (70%)

Folio (40%) – Students complete two folio tasks supported by developmental and preparatory work. The nature of the folio can be 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional or a combination of both. The folio includes the ideation, research and development of student visual ideas on a set class theme, culminating in the planning for a final practical artwork.

Practical (30%) – Students complete two practical works linked to each of their folios. The practical work is resolved from visual thinking and learning documented in the folio and includes artworks and a practitioner’s statement.

External Assessment (30%)

Visual studies – students complete two Visual Studies based on an aspect experimental and/or experiential focus of work.

Assumed Knowledge:

There are no pre-requisites or specific assumed knowledge, although, some experience in Year 10 or 11 Art or Design is desirable. Nevertheless, students can enter the course with limited previous exposure to design.

Course description:

Visual Arts: Design is a practical based subject which allows students to explore a range of design disciplines, including Graphic Design, Product Design, Architecture and Landscape Design, Fashion Design and Multimedia. Students are able to specialise in one or more disciplines of design which allows them to research, explore and experiment within a design setting. Students will have the opportunity to negotiate all assessment components, so that their individual interests can be catered for. For example, a student may wish to only study and produce work within an architectural setting. Another example would be a student who creates work in a variety of design disciplines like Graphic Design, Multimedia and Fashion Design.

Similarly, there is a great deal of flexibility within the course structure to allow students to showcase their skills in one or one media. Drawing, photography, computer aided design and model making are just some of the media which students can explore within the assessment components.

A key focus of the course centres around each student producing their own practical work, and reflecting upon their creative experiences. The personalised nature of the course allows students to embark upon an individual creative journey which rewards each student for their creative talents and interpretations.

Assessment:

School-based Assessment (70%)

2 x Practical projects which showcase separate final solutions to two individual design briefs 30%

1 x Folio which documents the creative process of both practical projects above 40%

External Assessment (30%)

Visual study: 20 x A3 pages documenting research and analysis on a design related topic, and integrating personal design work which is influenced by the research and analysis