Product design is a solution-focused approach that engages with the diverse needs and opportunities of individuals, society and the environment in which we live. Product designers aim to improve welfare, which includes quality of life, by designing innovative and ethical solutions. Product design is enhanced through knowledge of social, technological, economic, historical, ethical, legal, environmental and cultural factors. These factors influence the form, function and aesthetics of products.
Central to VCE Product Design and Technologies is a design process that encourages divergent and convergent thinking while engaging with a problem. The design brief identifies a real need or opportunity and provides scope for designing, making and evaluating. Investigation and research inform and aid the development of designed solutions that take the form of physical, three-dimensional products.
In VCE Product Design and Technologies students are designer-makers who design solutions that are innovative and ethical. As designer-makers, they learn about the design industry, teamwork and the collaborative nature of teams, entrepreneurial activities, innovative technologies and enterprise. The development of designed solutions requires speculative, critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, numeracy, literacy, and technacy. Students participate in problem-based design approaches that trial, test, evaluate, critique and iterate product solutions. Students prototype and test using a variety of materials, tools and processes. Throughout the process of designing and testing, students learn that innovative and ethical solutions come from constructive failure and intentional evaluation.
Knowledge and use of technological resources are integral to product design. Designers safely and sustainably transform materials into products using a range of materials, tools and processes. In this study, students gain an understanding of both traditional and new and emerging materials, tools and processes. They study and experience a variety of design specialisations and use a range of materials, tools and processes as they demonstrate technacy.
VCE Product Design and Technologies is a Study which aims to:
understand sustainability and other ethical responsibilities that a designer addresses to embed social, environmental, economic and worldview considerations when designing and creating for identified needs and opportunities with the end users
use design thinking strategies - critical, creative and speculative - in the process of product development
employ a design process to generate and communicate multiple creative ideas, concepts and product design options, using a range of visual techniques and prototypes to develop viable solutions to needs and opportunities
explore, test and use a wide range of materials, as well as explore the characteristics and properties that inform their use in a variety of contexts
practise methods of sourcing, processing, producing and assembling materials, and acknowledge their environmental, social, economic and psychological implications
develop, document and follow safe methods of working with technologies, across a range of materials, tools and processes
apply project management techniques to ensure production is delivered according to budget and timelines
analyse, evaluate and critique the appropriateness of designed products.
The structure of the study is made up of four units.
Unit 1: Design practices
Unit 2: Positive impacts for end users
Unit 3: Ethical product design and development
Unit 4: Ethical production and evaluation
In this unit, students analyse and evaluate existing products and current technological innovations in product design. They achieve this through understanding the importance of a design brief, learning about factors that influence design, and using the Double Diamond design approach as a framework.
In their practical work, students explore and test materials, tools and processes available to them in order to work technologically, and they practise safe skill development when creating an innovative product. This is achieved through the development of graphical product concepts and the use of prototypes to explore and propose physical product concepts.
Area of Study 1: Developing and conceptualising designs
On completion of this unit the student should be able to apply design thinking strategies to research, critique and communicate a response to a need or opportunity, and work collaboratively and in teams to develop and propose graphical product concepts that address a design brief.
Area of Study 2: Generating, designing and producing
On completion of this unit the student should be able to work collaboratively and in teams to trial and test, evaluate and use materials, tools and processes to determine their chosen product concept and produce a product through implementing a scheduled production plan, as well as reflect on and make suggestions for future improvements when working collaboratively and as a team.
Students also explore cultural influences on design. They develop an awareness of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples design and produce products, how sustainable design practices care for Country, and how traditions and culture are acknowledged in contemporary designs. Students also have opportunities to make connections to personal or other cultural heritages.
Area of Study 2: Designing for positive impacts for end users
On completion of this unit the student should be able to design and make an inclusive product that responds to a need or opportunity of an end user(s) that addresses positive impacts in relation to belonging, access, usability and/or equity.
Area of Study 3: Cultural influences on design
On completion of this unit the student should be able to research and discuss how designers and end users are influenced by culture.
All assessments at Units 1 and 2 are school-based. Procedures for assessment of levels of achievement in Units 1 and 2 are a matter for school decision.
Unit 1 Assessment: For this unit students are required to demonstrate two outcomes. As a set, these outcomes encompass the areas of study in the unit.
Suitable tasks for assessment in this unit are:
a multimodal record of evidence of research, development and conceptualisation of products as well as a reflection on collaboration, teamwork and ways to improve in the future
practical work: a demonstration of graphical and physical product concepts including prototyping and making final proof of concept along with a finished product.
Unit 2 Assessment: For this unit students are required to demonstrate three outcomes. As a set these outcomes encompass the areas of study in the unit.
Suitable tasks for assessment in this unit are:
multimodal record of evidence of research, development and conceptualisation of products addressing a need or opportunity related to positive impacts for the end user(s)
practical work: demonstration of graphical and physical product concepts including prototyping and making final proof of concept along with the finished product addressing a need or opportunity related to positive impacts for the end user(s)
case study analysis or research inquiry of a designer and end user(s) that explores the influence of culture in product design.
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Please see the booklist for required text.
Material Charges
Students will incur additional costs based on the choice of materials to be used in their individual projects.