Product design is a response to changing needs and to improve quality of life by designing creative, innovative and sustainable products. Product design is enhanced through knowledge of social, technological, economic, historical, ethical, legal, environmental and cultural factors. These factors influence the aesthetics, form and function of products.
Central to VCE Product Design and Technology is design thinking, which is applied through the product design process providing a structure for creative problem solving. The design process involves identification of a real need, problem or opportunity that is then articulated in a design brief. The need, problem or opportunity is investigated and informed by research to aid the development of solutions that take the form of physical, three-dimensional products. Development of these solutions requires the application of technology and a variety of cognitive and physical skills, including design thinking, drawing and computer-aided design, testing processes and materials, planning, construction, fabrication and evaluation.
For VCE Product Design and Technology students assume the role of a designer-maker. In adopting this role, they develop and apply knowledge of factors that influence design and address the design factors relevant to their design situation.
The knowledge and use of resources is integral to product design. These resources include a range of materials, and the tools, equipment and machines needed to safely transform these materials into products. Increasingly, the importance of sustainability is affecting product design and development, and so is at the forefront throughout the product life cycle.
This study enables students to:
use design thinking and develop their understanding of product development and how these occur in a variety of contexts and environments
apply design practice by generating and communicating multiple creative ideas, concepts and product design options using a range of techniques to develop viable solutions to problems
explore and determine characteristics and properties of materials that make them suitable for use
examine methods of sourcing, processing, producing and assembling materials and social, economic, ethical, legal and environmental implications
use risk assessment to apply appropriate, efficient and safe methods of working with materials, tools, equipment and machines
apply project management techniques of time and sequence, and choose appropriate processes
analyse and evaluate the appropriateness of production activities and product design
understand sustainability and the responsibility the designer has to address social, environmental and economic considerations when designing and creating for the needs of the broader community.
In this unit students are engaged in the design and development of a product that addresses a personal, local, or global problem (such as humanitarian issues), or that meets the needs and wants of a potential end-user/s. The product is developed through a design process and is influenced by a range of factors including the purpose, function and context of the product; user-centred design; innovation and creativity; design elements and principles; sustainability concerns; economic limitations; legal responsibilities; material characteristics and properties; and technology.
Design and product development and manufacture occur in a range of settings. An industrial setting provides a marked contrast to that of a one-off situation in a small cottage industry or a school setting. Although a product design process may vary in complexity or order, it is central to all of these situations regardless of the scale or context. This unit examines different settings and takes students through the product design process as they design for an end-user/s. Students identify methods which could be used in a low-volume or mass/high-volume production setting to manufacture a similar product to their design.
In the initial stage of the product design process a design brief is prepared, outlining the context or situation around the design problem and describing the needs and requirements in the form of constraints or considerations.
In Area of Study 1, students examine how a design brief addresses particular product design factors and how evaluation criteria are developed from the constraints and considerations in the brief. They develop an understanding of techniques in using the design brief as a springboard to direct research and design activities.
In Area of Study 2, students examine how a range of factors, including new and emerging digital technologies, influence the design and development of products within industrial manufacturing settings. They consider issues associated with obsolescence and sustainability models.
In Area of Study 3, students commence the application of the product design process for a product design for an end-user/s, including writing an individual design brief and criteria that will be used to evaluate the product in Unit 4.
Outcome 1: Designing for end-user/s
Outcome 2: Product development in industry
Outcome 3: Designing for others
In this unit students engage with an end-user/s to gain feedback throughout the process of production. Students make comparisons between similar products to help evaluate the success of a product in relation to a range of product design factors. The environmental, economic and social impact of products throughout their life cycle can be analysed and evaluated with reference to the product design factors.
In Area of Study 1, students use comparative analysis and evaluation methods to make judgments about commercial product design and development.
In Area of Study 2, students continue to develop and safely manufacture the product designed in Unit 3, Outcome 3, using materials, tools, equipment and machines, and record and monitor the production processes and modifications to the production plan and product.
In Area of Study 3, students evaluate the quality of their product with reference to criteria and end-user/s’ feedback. Students make judgments about possible improvements. They produce relevant user instructions or care labels that highlight the product’s features for an end-user/s.
Outcome 1: Product analysis and comparison
Outcome 2: Product manufacture
Outcome 3: Product evaluation
The student’s level of achievement in Units 3 and 4 will be determined by School-assessed Coursework (SACs) and a School-assessed Task (SAT) as specified in the VCE study design, and external assessment.
For more detailed information, please click on the link/s below:
Please see the booklist for required text.
Material Charges
Students may incur additional costs based on the choice of materials to be used in their individual projects.