Year 9 Materials Technology/Design and Visual Communication

Materials Tech + Design and Visual Communication - (One Semester – Two-Term Course)

This is a fun, practical course where you will design, create, and build using both traditional and digital tools. You’ll spend one term in Materials Technology and one term in Design and Visual Communication (DVC) — a great way to try out both areas before senior school.

Materials Technology 

You will explore a design process and use it to plan, develop, and build a practical product.

You will:

• Work with different materials (wood, plastic, and metal)

• Learn to use tools and equipment safely

• Develop a product from idea to finished outcome

• Think creatively to solve design problems

• Gain confidence in planning and making

Example Project: Design and make a custom product (jewelry and display container)

Design & Visual Communication (DVC) 

DVC is all about designing and communicating your ideas visually. You’ll explore how products and spaces are designed, and learn to bring your ideas to life through drawing, digital modelling, and prototyping.

You will:

• Learn sketching and presentation techniques

• Design a Display Box using graphics skills

• Get started with 3D printing and laser cutting

• Try digital design tools like SketchUp and Onshape

Example Project: Create a display box design and produce a model using digital tools and basic graphic techniques

Why Choose This Course?

• It’s perfect if you enjoy making, designing, and problem-solving

• A great mix of practical workshop time and creative design thinking

• Builds skills for senior Materials Technology, DVC, or Building and Construction

• You will develop time management skills

• You will get to work on cool projects that you can take home