In the Design course, students develop a competitive edge for current and future industry and employment markets. Students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand design principles and processes, analyse problems and devise innovative strategies through projects.

View Syllabus on School Curriculum and Standards Authority Website

Year 11

Unit 1 – Design fundamentals

The focus of this unit is to introduce design process and practice. Students learn that design can be used to provide solutions to design problems and communication needs. They are introduced to basic design skills and a range of techniques within a defined context to demonstrate control over the elements and principles of design.

Unit 2 – Personal design

The focus of this unit is product design. Students learn that the commercial world is comprised of companies, requiring consumer products, services and brands for a particular audience. They are introduced to the concept of intellectual property. Using the design process, they create products/services, visuals and/or layouts with an awareness of codes and conventions. They use relevant and appropriate production skills and processes, materials and technologies relevant to the design.

Year 12

Unit 3 – Product design

The focus of this unit is to introduce design process and practice. Students learn that design can be used to provide solutions to design problems and communication needs. They are introduced to basic design skills and a range of techniques within a defined context to demonstrate control over the elements and principles of design.

Unit 4 – Cultural design

The focus of this unit is cultural design. Students learn that society is made up of different groups of people who share diverse values, attitudes, beliefs, behaviours and needs, and that different forms of visual communication transmit these values and beliefs. Students are encouraged to create designs that link to a culture or sub‐culture and are introduced to ethical issues concerning representation. Students develop a design process with an understanding of codes and conventions. They consider communication strategies and audience. They define and establish contemporary production skills and processes, materials and technologies.