A resource developed for years seven, eight or nine to improve graphic skills and presentation of ideas. The seven tasks begin with thick and thin line technique, rendering materials and texture. Students are given 'sample sheets' of black and white rendered forms that show how tonal detail and specific materials would appear rendered in both monochrome and colour. Students are then prompted to look at how to combine colour with tone and texture. The Powerpoint contains all the visual resources and examples needed to complete the assignment.

A resource and set of activities prepared for year eight to introduce types of motion, mechanisms and force. The resource offers some comprehension and practical research into levers, linkages, and cam mechanisms with a card based engineering design task at the end. questions and tasks to consolidate and extend the learning are built in at each stage

Unit three revision booklet with heavy emphasis on design movements from the Victorians to the digital age. Booklet contains all other unit three requirements and ends with three product analysis and evaluation exercises.

An information and research task for students and teachers to investigate a range of mechanical fixings, knock down fittings and adhesives. A wide range of examples are covered along with practical applications with reasons for use. The closing slides contain a comprehension exercise and question sheet for students to complete. The resource contains lots of images and reference to real world applications.

A booklet designed to support students progress within the AQA Product design syllabus (design and make) . This example is for a jewellery design assignment but can be modified.

Coursework support booklet for A2 Product Design (UNIT4). Contains coursework components and assessment criteria. Also included are some examples for ideas and development of a choen idea.

A Powerpoint presentation containing a range of inititial concepts and inspiration for seating design. I made it for the AQA resistant materials 2017 theme 'public seating for adults and young children.' It explores seating generally with some directly relevant to external seating concepts. Some of them combine hand drawn examples enhanced digitally which students enjoy.

A resource I designed and made for year nine or ten product design. Students study the basics of motion, mechanisms and force to produce a crank driven garden decoration. It isn’t a heavily prescriptive resource but offers opportunity for interpretation, differentiation and varying degrees of sophistication in terms of outcome. It contains lots of mini focused practical tasks to produce the key components for a complete, functioning garden whirligig. It contains a wealth of information to help analyze existing products, conceptualize and develop a working solution. I’ve also attached a complete production plan for the whirligig shown in the video.

An investigation with comprehension exercises to support the teaching of timbers and manufactured boards along with their typical applications in the world of design and manufacturing. Timbers and boards are described along with their physical and mechanical characteristics and reasons for use.

Made for the AQA Resistant Materials preliminary material research task in preparation for the exam. A page of development diagrams and tasks designed to prepare sudents to be able to describe in diagrams and words how to construct a task light using a variety of methods or approaches.

Introduction and tasks to develop students ability to recognise and describe a basic range of composite materials

A task designed to help students gain expertise and confidence using CAD skills using Google Sketchup. Easy to follow, step by step instructions allow the user to produce an attractive, completed design for a mechanical robot toy using a wide range of basic tools and functions within Google Sketchup.

A resources to enable students and teachers to investigate nineteenth and twentieth century lighting as stimulus to designing an interior light using a range of materials and processes. The file contains an investigation into major design movements from the Arts And Crafts movement to the digital design of the present and how these philosophies and styles have influenced design. Students are prompted to critically analyse examples of lighting designs from each era to find useful features for their own work. The pack also contains a guide booklet to take them through each stage of the design task. Each resource can be edited or adjusted to suit the needs of the teacher and class.

A guided investigation into a variety of surface finishes and protection for a range of materials together with the reasons for their use in manufacturing. Students have a set of questions and tasks to complete to consolidate their learning.

Information and tasks designed to prepare students for the unit one exam in GCSE Resistant Materials. Contains opportunities for product analysis, materials and processes, and some prompted design tasks

A Powerpoint presentation designed to prepare students for the impending unit one exam based on the theme of seating for public spaces for adults and young children. The resource explores and explains design process terminology from the purpose of a brief to evaluation with lots of visual examples and illustrations. The final page is an exam style task that follows the AQA assessment criteria.

An investigation with comprehension exercises to support the teaching of modern and smart materials along with their typical applications in the real world.

A rich visual investigation into traditional timber construction methods along with their typical applications in the world of design and manufacturing. Each family of joining methods are described in photographs and diagrams together with the reasons for use.

A fantastic resource for an enrichment activity or craft club. Build this adorable, laminated, carved and polished birch plywood duck toy. A perennial push along favourite. Follow the easy to understand tutorial to complete your own push pull duck toy. The head rises and falls as you push him along causing the beak to snap open and shut making a lovely click. Two concealed cam wheels also cause the wings to raise and lower alternately. He’s carved and shaped from layers of stained and sealed birch plywood for durability. The tutorial contains all the information, templates and drawings needed to produce your own clattering duck that will be treasured for years.

An ideal extension or group production exercise for later years. Build this adorable trike riding chimp using the easy to follow, detailed plans. He pedals furiously as you push him along with a push stick located in the back of the tricycle frame. His head and torso rises and falls on the saddle with effort as he rides along. He’s made of oak with an oiled finish for protection, any number of other timbers could be suitable, especially beech. The handlebars, shoulder pivot, and leg spacers are made from easily sourced and shaped metal components. An ideal accompaniment for a manufacturing and mechanisms exploration assignment.