T211 Design and Designing is an Open University 60-point technology course at Level 2. I did this course in 2005, and passed with Distinction.
Course content
The course consisted of 6 blocks, entitled:
- An introduction to design and designing
- User requirements and the design brief
- Creativity and concept design
- Configuration and component design
- Detail design and manufacture
- Case studies of design and designing
There was also a Modelling Workbook and a Shapes and Space Workbook.
Assignments
I submitted 6 tutor-marked assignments, one of which was the project (see below). The other assignments included:
- Product analyses: chairs; bicycle pump
- Guided design assignments: designing a flat-pack chair and modelling it in card (see picture); product idea and design brief for a heated pizza-cooking shelf for an oven; preliminary concept for a steerable supermarket trolley; drinks cup, bike rack, and litter bin for use in a train
- Studies of creative design
- Configuration design: playground equipment
- Component design
- Detail design and manufacture
All of these assignments involved drawing as well as writing.
Project
For the final, double-weighted, assignment, my task was to design a music stand. I reviewed existing products, talked to users, and attempted to produce a stand that was easier to pack up than existing stands and which was more stable. My mark for the project was 97%.
Examination
There was a final 3-hour unseen written (and drawn) exam.
Assessment
Mean mark for first 5 assignments: 90.6%
Mark for project: 97%
Mark for exam: 95%