UK Year 7 Design and Technology

This course introduces students to the core concepts of design and technology, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and practical skills across various areas, including resistant materials, graphics, and textiles. Students learn to design, make, and evaluate products while considering social, moral, spiritual, and cultural issues. The curriculum emphasizes developing technical and practical expertise, using a range of tools and materials.

Resistant Materials

This area focuses on designing and making products using materials like wood, metal, and plastic. Students learn about the properties of different materials, safe use of tools and equipment, and various construction techniques. Projects may include:

• Pen Tidy: Students learn about wood properties and using hand and machine tools to design and create a pen tidy.
• Laminated Wooden Box: A modern take on a classic project involving creating a box with a curved laminated lid.
• African Mask: This project helps students understand softwood, grain direction, and finishing techniques.
• Travel Maze Game: This project incorporates social, moral, spiritual, and cultural issues, printing processes, mechanical and electrical devices, and material properties.

Graphics

This area introduces students to the principles of graphic design, including typography, layout, and visual communication. Students develop sketching, rendering, and computer-aided design skills. Projects may include:

• Healthy Snack Packaging: Students explore packaging design, considering target audience and branding.
• Typography Project: Students learn about different fonts, letterforms, and the impact of typography on design.
• House Make-Over: Students explore architectural design and the built environment.

Textiles

This area focuses on working with fabrics and textiles, exploring different techniques like stitching, dyeing, and printing. Students learn about different types of fibers and fabrics, and how to use various tools and equipment. Projects may include:

• Monster Project: Students investigate natural fibers and create a felt monster.
• Sea-Life Project: Students experiment with fabric pens and pastels to create sea-life inspired designs.
• Hundertwasser Project: This project introduces basic skills in research, analysis, design, and making, inspired by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

This comprehensive curriculum aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in an increasingly technological world.