Materials are the basic ingredients of technology. Materials are used to make machines and these machines use materials to make products. Materials also supply the energy to enable technology to function. Throughout history, the evolution of technology has been largely determined by the availability of materials. The strong historical links between materials, design and technology remain significant in society today. As long as the desire to create new opportunities and to continue to improve our quality of life remains, the development of materials will continue.

The Materials Design and Technology General course is a practical course. The course allows students to explore and use wood and associated materials with the design and manufacture of products as the major focus. There is also the flexibility to incorporate additional materials from outside the designated contexts. This will enhance and complement the knowledge and skills developed within the course as many modern‐day products are manufactured using a range of different material types. Students examine social and cultural values and the short‐term and long‐term impacts of the use and misuse of materials and associated technologies. Through this inquiry, experimentation and research, students develop their creativity and understanding of the society in which they live.

Working with materials, students develop a range of manipulation, processing, manufacturing and organisational skills. When designing with materials, they develop cognitive skills, such as solving problems, generating ideas, creative design strategies and communicating what they do. This makes them more technologically literate and, as consumers, enables them to make more informed decisions about the use and misuse of technology.

The Materials Design and Technology General course aims to prepare all students for a future in a technological and material world by providing the foundation for lifelong learning about how products are designed and how materials are developed and used.

The Year 12 syllabus is divided into two units, which are delivered as a pair.

Unit 3

Students develop an understanding of the elements and fundamentals of design and consider human factors involved in the design, production and use of their projects. They develop creative thinking strategies and work on design projects within specified constraints. Students learn about the classification and properties of a variety of materials and make appropriate materials selection for design needs. Students learn about manufacturing and production skills and techniques. They develop the skills and techniques appropriate to the materials being used and gain practice in planning and managing processes through the production of design project. They learn about risk management and ongoing evaluation processes.

Unit 4

Students learn about the nature of designing for a client, target audience or market. Students apply an understanding of the elements and fundamentals of design and consider human factors involved in their design projects. Students learn about the nature, properties and environmental impacts related to a variety of materials and production techniques. They develop creative thinking strategies, work on design projects within specified constraints and consider the environmental impacts of recycling of materials. Students extend their understanding of safe working practices and contemporary manufacturing techniques and develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to manage the processes of designing and manufacturing.

Outcome 1:       Technology process
Outcome 2:       Understanding the use of materials
Outcome 3:       Using technology skills
Outcome 4:       Understanding materials, society and the environment

Prerequisite: Year 11 Materials, Design & Technology (Wood) – General to a C grade.

Cost: There is a materials fee of $50 for this subject to cover basic materials and students pay for their own timber.

Design has its own set of theories and practices and incorporates a wide range of principles, methods and techniques drawn from a variety of different disciplines such as psychology, communication studies, digital design, technical graphics, art, engineering, architecture, sociology, cultural studies, marketing and economics. The disciplined application of these elements forms a design process that guides the development of creative and functionally effective solutions to identified possibilities or problems.

We live in a diverse and constantly changing information‐rich society and culture, constantly immersed in design communication. Sometimes the intention of design is to inform, express, educate or entertain. Often the intention is also to influence or persuade. An understanding of design and how it works can enhance an individual’s ability to interact with their environment, to learn from it and to grow within it. It also empowers the individual by making them more discerning of, and therefore less susceptible to, manipulation and influence via design.

The goals of the Design General course are to facilitate a deeper understanding of how design works; and how ideas, beliefs, values, attitudes, messages and information are effectively communicated to specific audiences with specific intentions or purposes via visual media forms. This course aims to achieve these goals by exposing students to a variety of communication forms and a thorough exploration of design. Design projects allow students to demonstrate their skills, techniques and application of design principles and processes; to analyse problems and possibilities; and to devise innovative strategies within design contexts. There is potential for students to develop transferable skills and vocational competencies while devising innovative designs. In this course, students develop a competitive edge for current and future industry and employment markets. This course also emphasises the scope of design in professional and trade based industries allowing students to maximise vocational and/or university pathways.

Unit 3

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.

Unit 4

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.

Prerequisite: Year 11 Design (Technical Graphics) – General to a C grade.

If you are interested in working with unique materials, including hand-made glass and precious metals to create fused glass artworks, jewellery and three-dimensional artifacts, then this is the course for you.

Students in this course will develop a deeper understanding of how design works and the various ways in which design can be used to effectively communicate creative intentions to a wide range of audiences. Design projects will allow students to develop and express their own individual style, while challenging them to engage in problem solving, critical thinking and innovation. Students will have access to state-of-the-art technology, equipment and materials in order to develop, plan and produce both 2D and 3D design creations.

Unit 3 – Commercial Design: Students become aware that design has commercial considerations that are influenced by various stakeholders to produce products, services and brands.

Unit 4 – Influential Design: Students learn how the communication of ideals, messages, information and values can influence opinion and attitudes.

Cost: There is a materials fee of $50 for this subject to cover basic materials and glass.

Prerequisites: Nil