Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in 3D Design : Course Structure

The Higher National Diploma course comprises of sixteen subject units of study and seven areas of common skills.

The subject units are as follows:

Level 1

Core Units:

- Drawing Techniques and Approaches

In this unit learners will be encouraged to develop visual thinking and creativity for design work. This unit will enable learners to experiment with drawing approaches and techniques order to broaden their experience and understanding of visual language. Learners will need to use materials and media which are specific to drawing and 3D design, as well as unusual materials and media which may extend visual language and creativity.

- Historical and Contextual Referencing

This unit introduces learners to the cultural history which informs current thought and debate in 3d design. Emphasis is on research and study skills and learners acquiring source material and knowledge. Presentation skills will also be applied in a practical context.

- Properties of 3D Materials

This unit provides the essential underpinning knowledge of the basic types of materials common to the broad area of 3D design. It will provide the learner with an understanding of the implications of using and selecting materials for the 3D designer. This has implications for the design of artefacts and products, and learners will learn to identify the strengths and weaknesses in both the practical and aesthetic senses.

- 3D Technology and Processes

This unit provides the essential underpinning skills and knowledge for the basic processes a technology common to the broad area of 3d design. Technological change increasingly affect the processes associated with designing and producing. This unit encourages the development technologically driven change. It is a practical unit which allows learners to embrace techno creatively.

Specialist Units:

- Design Method

This unit develops in learners an analytical and methodical approach to the process of designing and developing products in a commercial context. This unit will help improve the learner's organisational and time management skills whilst developing the self-analytical faculties necessary for success in design practice.

- Computer Applications in Art and Design

The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to the creative potential of the computer in the context of 2D design. It will provide the opportunity to explore software and its relevance to the area of study. It aims to provide an overview of a variety of painting, drawing typographic and desktop publishing software. It encourages combinations of traditional and digital design practices, leading to innovative presentations.

- Design Principles

In this unit learners will develop an understanding of how attitudes of designers influence the appearance and function of graphics products. These attitudes involve the ethics of commerce, and the changing values of society which determine the context within which the graphic designer operates.

The unit establishes principles and encourages learners to develop their own distinctive approach to design. Work produced for his unit should be in the learners' chosen design specialism.

- 3D Animated Products

In this unit learners will investigate the design and production of 3D animated products. The unit focuses on applying and developing design skills to a range of products which incorporate movement. These will be combined with the skills and knowledge of the materials and techniques necessary for controlling and effecting movement. Safety and reliability issues will also be addressed.

The unit deals specifically with the design, construction and control of real-time animated devices such as puppets, marionettes, automata, toys, kinetic art objects and point of sale devices. The unit is intended to develop visual, theoretical and practical skills relating to design, and would be of value to specialists in commercial model making, design for performance, exhibition and retail design, and product design.

- Product Design

This unit provides a focal point for learners who intend to follow careers associated with the manufacturing of products and furniture design.

The unit develops skills and knowledge in the visual attributes of manufactured products and the materials from which they are made. Consideration of the manufacturing processes and the functional characteristics of products include ergonomics, reliability and safety. The relationship between product design and marketing will also be examined.

- Design and Function

This unit focuses on design and function in crafts, 3D design and spatial design. It encourages learners to develop a personal response to the often conflicting demands of appearance and function. The unit addresses the practical and technical issues encountered when designing and making 3D artefacts.

- Visual and Personal Presentation

This unit will enable learners to develop skills in communicating design intentions in 2D and 3D. The unit encourages learners to apply and refine visual presentation skills and develop their own distinctive approach to the presentation of design work.

- Marketing

This unit emphasises the importance of marketing both to commercial organisations and individual designers. The unit covers the basic principles of marketing products and services in a competitive, commercial environment. It also explores how individual designers can use marketing to promote their own skills and abilities.

Level 2

Core Units:

- Critical Study

This unit provides the learner with the knowledge, understanding and skills to define and research an historical context and relate it to the present. It also provides an opportunity for learners to evaluate these references in the context of their chosen specialism.

The aim of the unit is to provide the learner with an independent view of one area of design context that relates closely to their own work.

- Professional Practice and Development

This unit serves to draw together the various aspects of learners' work to provide evidence of a coherent and presentable portfolio of work which is of a standard acceptable to a commercial employer. Learners are expected to demonstrate a full understanding of their intended job role and its career potential.

- Professional Studies

This unit is intended to help learners relate practical studies in 3D design to a professional context. It deals with legislation affecting 3D designers and develops understanding of professional ethics and responsibilities. The unit requires learners to examine business organisations and to compare job roles of 3D designers working in different kinds of organisations. Learners are also expected to investigate the ethics and responsibilities of 3D designers in relation to society and the environment.

Specialist Units:
- Commercial Model Making

This unit develops the skills and understanding of learners who intend to follow careers as model makers in the architectural, media or entertainment industries. The unit is relevant to specialist areas in which 3D visualisation is important. It aims to develop practical and perceptual skills and gives opportunities to develop creative and communication skills.

- Furniture Design

In this unit learners will gain a knowledge and understanding of the visual and functional qualities of furniture and how it is designed. They will develop an understanding of a range of materials and select appropriate manufacturing processes in exploring construction and fabrication used in furniture design. They will develop high-level competence in controlling the creative process from inception to realisation.

Learners will be expected to develop an understanding of the role and responsibilities of the designer/maker in a commercial context, including one-off, batch and mass production, and to develop the ability to communicate 3D ideas through 2D drawing techniques and 3D making, modelling and prototyping skills.

- Design for Performance

This unit provides a focal point for applying the skills and understanding acquired by learners who intend following careers as set designers, costume and visual effects designers in the entertainment industry. These roles bring them into close proximity with performance and learners will need to understand the particular operational characteristics of live theatre, film, television and video production. The unit emphasises versatility but expects learners to have a particular specialism in one of the follwing: set design and construction, costume design and construction, visual effects design and construction.

- Jewellery, Accessories and Body Adornment

In this unit learners will gain knowledge and understanding of the decorative and aesthetic properties of jewellery, accessories and body adornment. They will develop an understanding of construction methods, explore the properties of a wide range of materials and select appropriate manufacturing processes and finishing techniques. They will develop high-level competence in controlling the creative process from inception to realisation. Learners will be expected to develop an understanding of the role and responsibilities of the designer/maker in a commercial context, including one-off and batch production, and to develop the ability to communicate 3D ideas.

- Exhibition and Retail Design

In this unit learners will gain knowledge and understanding of communication through exhibition and display. They will develop the ability to organise and manipulate spatial awareness. They will develop high-level competence in controlling the creative process from inception to design realisation.

Learners will be expected to develop an understanding of the role and responsibilities of the designer in a commercial context, and to develop the ability to communicate 3D ideas through 2D drawing techniques and 3D making, modelling and prototyping skills.

- Interior Design

In this unit learners will acquire the skills and understanding needed to create and modify interior environments for specific purposes. They will develop spatial awareness and competence in working with 3D formal elements. Learners will also develop an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the professional interior designer, including working within teams of other professionals. Learners will develop the ability to communicate 3D ideas through a range of visual presentation techniques.

Common Skills

Lectures/Tutorials

The course is mainly conducted in the classroom via face-to-face learning which encourages student-teacher interaction. Students are encouraged to attend field trips and bazaars organised by the school to encourage experiential learning.

Assessment

This course is assessed by outcome-based coursework which involves doing a report, presentation or project work.

Entry Requirements to Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in 3D Design

*Those without IELTS 5.5 are required to attend an English Course at a fee.

Certification

Candidates who successfully complete all 16 units of this programme will be given the internationally recognised Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in 3D Design awarded by Edexcel International (UK).

Course Schedule for Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in 3D Design

This Award takes approximately 960 hours excluding the development and implementation of coursework.

Full-time

Part-time

Class Size

Class size:
Maximum 25 pax per class for practical and tutorial lessons
Maximum 35 pax for lecture

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate the following skills: