A Level Design and Technology Edexcel

This subject is broken down into 107 topics in 12 modules:

  1. Materials 7 topics
  2. Performance Characteristics of Materials 10 topics
  3. Processes, Techniques and Specialist Tools 24 topics
  4. Digital Technologies 2 topics
  5. Factors Influencing the Development of Products 16 topics
  6. Effects of Technological Developments 3 topics
  7. Safe Working Practices, Potential Hazards and Risk Assessment 2 topics
  8. Features of Manufacturing Industries 15 topics
  9. Designing for Maintenance and the Cleaner Environment 6 topics
  10. Current Legislation 5 topics
  11. Information Handling, Modelling and Forward Planning 10 topics
  12. Further Processes and Techniques 7 topics
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  • 12
    modules
  • 107
    topics
  • 41,394
    words of revision content
  • 5+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Design and Technology

Materials

Woods - Hardwoods, Softwoods

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Woods - Hardwoods, Softwoods

Hardwoods

  • Originating from deciduous, angiosperm trees, hardwoods are a category of wood known for their density and durability.
  • Common examples of hardwood include oak, beech, ash, and maple.
  • Oak is popularly used in furniture and flooring due to its strong, durable nature and its attractive grain.
  • Beech is often used for furniture, toys, and veneers because of its good bending properties and shock resistance.
  • Hardwoods typically have a slow growth rate, contributing to their density and strength.
  • The presence of vessels or pores often results in intricate grain patterns, making hardwood suitable for decorative furniture.
  • The cost of hardwoods can be high due to their slow growth rate and the demand for certain popular types.

Softwoods

  • Softwoods come from gymnosperm trees that are usually evergreen and coniferous, such as pine, cedar, and fir.
  • These types of wood grow faster than hardwoods, making them more cost-effective and sustainable.
  • Pine is a common softwood that is lightweight and easy to work with. It's often used in construction, paneling, and furniture pieces.
  • Cedar is known for its distinct aroma and is commonly used in chest and closet linings, shingles, and outdoor furniture.
  • Softwoods generally have straighter grain patterns and lighter colours compared to hardwoods.
  • While not as dense or hard as hardwoods, softwoods are still durable and are suitable for many applications, including construction and paper production.
  • Softwoods have fewer pores than hardwoods, which can make them less suitable for intricate decorative pieces.

Testing Properties of Wood

  • Physical and mechanical properties of wood can be tested to determine suitability for specific purposes.
  • Hardness can be tested by measuring the resistance of wood to indentation.
  • Strength can often be gauged through bending tests, impact tests, and tension and compression tests.
  • The durability of wood can be assessed through decay resistance tests, examining resistance to insects and other damaging factors.
  • The moisture content of wood can affect its weight, strength, and other physical properties and can be tested using a moisture meter.

Working with Wood

  • Both hardwoods and softwoods can be cut, shaped, and joined using a variety of hand and machine tools.
  • Techniques like bending, veneering, lamination, and finishing can be used to enhance the appearance and lifespan of wooden products.
  • Appropriate safety measures should always be taken when working with wood, including the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to safe handling procedures.

This revision content should aid your understanding and utilisation of different types of wood - both hardwoods and softwoods - their properties, common uses, tests to assess their characteristics, and overall relevance in design and technology applications.

Course material for Design and Technology, module Materials, topic Woods - Hardwoods, Softwoods

Design and Technology

Factors Influencing the Development of Products

Brauhaus Modernist - Marianne Brandt

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Brauhaus Modernist - Marianne Brandt

Marianne Brandt and Bauhaus Modernism

  • Marianne Brandt was a significant figure in the Bauhaus Modernist movement in the early 20th century.
  • She was one of the few women who broke through gender norms to contribute substantially to design and architecture, and challenged traditional stereotypes linked to gender roles.
  • In 1928, Brandt became the head of the metal workshop at Bauhaus, one of the first positions of this magnitude held by a woman at the time.

Brandt's Influences

  • Marianne Brandt was greatly inspired by the Bauhaus's ethos, which combined craftsmanship and fine arts in design.
  • Brandt embraced the idea of uniting form and function, producing designs that presented minimalist aesthetics and emphasised usability.
  • Brandt's designs, typically metallic household items, reflected the industrial production techniques and the influence of geometric forms that were indicative of the Bauhaus style.

Contributions and Legacy

  • Marianne Brandt's designs for objects such as teapots and lamps are still celebrated today for their aesthetic form, usability and innovativeness.
  • Her iconic Kandem Bedside Table Lamp, featuring a circular base, a bare bulb and an adjustable metal shade, epitomises the marriage of form and function, and reshaped the idea of what lighting design could be.
  • Through her designs, Brandt was able to display a balance of aesthetics and functionality, which has had a profound influence on product design in the subsequent years.
  • Marianne Brandt helped in pushing Bauhaus's ideas forward, influencing the modernist movement and future generations of product designers and architects.

Societal and Market Considerations

  • Brandt's designs reflected the societal shift during her era where more emphasis was put on practicality and usage rather than ornamental and luxurious items.
  • Her work was recognised for its modern, industrial aesthetic, which appealed to a growing demand in the mass market of the time.
  • This demand was fuelled by societal changes, such as the rise of the middle class, who sought well-designed, practical and affordable products.
  • Marianne Brandt's influence thus reached beyond just design and architecture, making significant contributions to modern industrial design and mass production.

Course material for Design and Technology, module Factors Influencing the Development of Products, topic Brauhaus Modernist - Marianne Brandt

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