Product Design & Technology

Purpose and Structure

Product design is a solution-focused approach that responds to the diverse needs and opportunities of individuals, society, and the environment, reflecting the God-given calling to care for the world. Students aim to improve welfare and quality of life through innovative, ethical, and responsible solutions that contribute to human flourishing. They follow a design process that encourages both divergent and convergent thinking, recognising creativity as part of God’s creation while thoughtfully addressing real-world problems shaped by human complexity and need.

Students learn about the design industry, the value of collaboration, and the role of emerging technologies, while also considering their responsibility as stewards of resources and makers within creation. They research, design, trial, test, and evaluate product solutions with discernment and care. As designers, they safely transform materials into products using a range of materials, tools, and processes, seeking to create outcomes that are purposeful, sustainable, and oriented towards the well-being of others.

Unit 1: Design practices 

This unit focuses on applying design thinking strategies to research and critique a need then work as a team to develop and communicate solutions to a design brief. Students develop, trial and test physical concepts and create and implement a production plan to produce and evaluate their designed product. 

Unit 2: Positive impacts for end users 

In this unit students examine cultural, social and/or physical influences on design. They develop an awareness of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples design and produce products, how sustainable design practices care for Country, and how traditions and culture are acknowledged in contemporary designs. They learn to investigate and critique products using the factors that influence design, to make judgements about the success and failure of products. Students then apply this knowledge to design and make an inclusive product that responds to a need.

Unit 3: Ethical product design and development

In this unit students critique examples of ethical product design and innovation within industrial settings. They are also engaged in the design and development of an ethical product. Students research and discuss how designers and end users are influenced by culture. Prototypes and then the product are developed through a design process, which is influenced by a range of factors including the purpose or need, function, user-centered design, aesthetics, market need or opportunity, product lifecycle, ethical considerations, and materials, tools and processes.

Unit 4: Production and evaluation of ethical designs

In this unit students implement a scheduled production plan, using a range of tools, materials, processes and resources, to safely, effectively and efficiently make the product they designed in Unit 3. Students also use data to evaluate a range of products including making judgements about the success of each product and discussing product design in relation to entrepreneurial activity, innovation and sustainability.