Design Communication Graphics is a newly introduced syllabus following on from the previous Technical Graphics syllabus, maintaining the key concepts of the underlying principles and theorems of plane and descriptive geometry but has been expanded and modernised for today’s needs. Students learn new methods to present and project drawings as well as solve problems using a new software package, Solidworks. This newly introduced software to schools will be used by students to complete assignments, investigate problems and help to expand their spatial awareness. Design will also form a large part of the subject and examinations, as society is increasingly demanding better aesthetics and functional performance of today’s products. DCG will provide the student with a broad range of skills that will enable them to participate and contribute in today’s rapidly changing technological society.

For the leaving certificate DCG is assessed in the form of one terminal examination paper and a student assignment. The assignment will focus on areas of the subject that cannot be readily assessed in a terminal examination, for example freehand sketching and solidworks proficiency. The terminal examination will be allocated 60% of the marks and the student assignment (of which solidworks (CAD) forms a significant and compulsory component) will be allocated 40% of the total marks for the subject.