This course is mixed level as students can combine Achievement Standards from different levels. The aim is to provide a wider knowledge and skills base that will support higher achievement, whilst also streamlining and managing student workload.
Students will develop creative skills in visual communication, drawing and design. They will generate their own designs and solutions through research, freehand sketching, design notation and a range of computer applications and 3D CAD software.
Level 6/7 students are encouraged to work on two projects during the course of the year - currently Product Design and Architecture. Level 8 students need only focus on one. The standards offered consist of a blend of recommended and negotiated Achievement Standards. This allows students more scope to pursue areas of interest. This is appealing to students who are able to self-manage, have a reasonable level of literacy and are motivated by project work and personalized learning.
The Standards undertaken are negotiated between teacher and student. This allows students to undertake learning that reflects their personal interest and talents.
There are no formal exams for this subject as the work that students complete during the year (both in class and at home) is used as evidence for assessment. Projects that are externally assessed are submitted prior to exams and are sent away to NZQA for external marking.
For each assessment formative assessment will be conducted and you will get feedback and an indication of your likely grades before the final assessment. You may negotiate with your teacher to do more, fewer or different Achievement Standards. Below is the range of standards that can be undertaken.
STANDARDS TO BE DELIVERED:
Level 6 Focus
| Standard | Credits | Formative deadline | Final deadline |
| AS92002 Develop product or spatial design ideas informed by the consideration of people | 5 | 27 March 15 May | 2 Jun |
| AS91340 Use the characteristics of a design movement or era to inform own design ideas Level 2 | 3 | 2 March | 2Jun |
| AS92003 Use instrumental drawing techniques to communicate own product or spatial design outcome | 5 |
20 Oct | 27 Oct |
| AS91338 Produce instrumental working drawings communicate design ideas Level 2 (External) | 4 | 20 Oct | 27 Oct |
Level 7 Focus
| Standard | Credits | Formative deadline | Final deadline |
| 91364 Demonstrate understanding of advanced concepts related to human factors in design | 4 | 23 Mar/ 25 May | 2June |
| 91342 Develop a product design through graphics practice | 6 | 25 May | 2 June |
| 91341 Develop a spatial design through graphics practice | 6 | 30 August | 16 Oct* |
| 91631 Produce working drawings to communicate production details for a complex design (Ext) Level 3 | 6 | 20 Oct | 27 Oct* |
| 91337 Use visual communication techniques to generate design ideas (Ext) | 3 | 17 Oct | 27 Oct |
Level 8 Focus
| Standard | Credits | Formative deadline | Final deadline |
91616 Demonstrate understanding of how the fitness for purpose of technological outcomes may be broadly interpreted AND/OR 91617 Undertake a critique of a technological outcome’s design (External-UE Reading/Writing) | 4 each (8) | 1 Mar | 27 Oct |
| 91631 Produce working drawings to communicate production details for a complex design (Ext) | 6 | 20 Oct | 27 Oct* |
| 91627 Initiate design ideas through exploration (External-visual) | 4 | 5 Apr | 27 Oct |
91628 Resolve a spatial design through graphics practice (internal) OR 91629 Resolve a product design through graphics practice (Internal) | 6 | 2 June | Dependant on stds selected (27 Oct) |