Amiria Gale

This article summarises different ways to join card and other lightweight materials in graphic products, including temporary joints, permanent joints, pop-up features, and rotating mechanisms. It concludes with examination questions to help you revise this material. Permanent joints cannot be undone without damaging the material (these joining methods are not intended be taken apart afterwards). … Read more

Self-finishing materials are those that develop their final surface appearance naturally through weathering, oxidation or aging, rather than requiring applied coatings or treatments. Self-finishing materials have natural protection, or develop their own protective layer through environmental exposure. Examples of self-finishing materials The use of self-finishing materials aligns with design movements valuing material honesty and embracing … Read more

This article helps students familiarise themselves with different ways to cut cardboard (including nets) and other lightweight materials when producing graphic products. It concludes with examination questions to help students revise this material. Sample examination questions (AS Design & Technology) Examiner comment: This question was often answered well with candidates understanding how to mark out … Read more

This article helps high school Design & Technology students familiarise themselves with printing methods and surface treatments suitable for use in graphic products. It concludes with sample examination questions from the Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A Level syllabus. Colour separation during printing A2 students only Different printing methods have different ways of applying colour. For example, … Read more

Cambridge Design & Technology students often have to produce diagrams illustrating a particular production process. This typically involves sketches and diagrams organised in sequence, showing step involved: gathering materials, marking out, cutting, shaping/forming, joining, fitting, assembling and finishing. Here we offer key guidelines for answering these questions and provide several examples, illustrating possible ways of … Read more

It can be helpful for Design & Technology students to have an understanding of how to cut, drill, and shape metal. This article summarises basic metalworking methods and practical techniques. Metal can be marked out with a scriber, which scratches the surface (shown left) and a steel ruler or try square. A center punch can be used to make … Read more

High school Design & Technology students often have to be familiar with a range of metal finishes and surface treatments as well as how to prepare a metal surface for finishing. This article summarises this topic and concludes with sample examination questions. Preparing a metal surface for finishing Before anything is painted or another finish applied, the … Read more