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Product Design BA (Hons)

Course Overview

Our long-established degree course aims to prepare you for a range of roles in the creative industries, including product design, UX design, research, development, modelling, visualisation, and design management.

What You'll Study

Year One

• Design Exploration: Experimentation with hands-on tools, techniques, and methods for exploration and idea generation.
• Design Visualisation: Introduction to key product design software and principles, with an emphasis on digital skills and processes.
• Design Enquiry: Research and analysis of design work, identifying outside influences and design theory for inspiration.
• Design Reflection: Critical reflection on product design work, learning journey, and career plans.
• Design Context: Approach to product design from a problem-solving perspective, factoring real-world issues into a design project.

Year Two

• Visual Language: Development of visual language, considering semantics, semiotics, affordances, and brand identity.
• Design in Practice: Generation of innovative design responses to an external brief, operating within the constraints of non-negotiable parameters.
• Professional Development: Product Design: Guidance on portfolio building in preparation for future professional opportunities.
• Design for Manufacture: Selection of appropriate materials and manufacturing processes within product design.
• Research-informed Design: Evidence-based approach to design and innovation, working as part of a team to analyse primary and secondary research.
• Product Development: Development of initial ideas into design proposals through experiential prototyping.

Placement Year

• UK Work Placement: Opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during the programme.
• International Study/Work Placement: Opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during the programme.

Final Year

• Final Major Project: Definition: Definition of a design opportunity that reflects your ethos and aspirations for future practice.
• Final Major Project: Research: Research phase, encouraging in-depth primary and secondary investigation to gain relevant insights.
• Final Major Project: Ideation: Generation of a series of distinct and innovative design proposals within the parameters identified through research activity.
• Final Major Project: Resolution: Development and testing of concepts using a range of 2D and 3D techniques, refining the proposal for sustainable volume production.

How You'll Learn

• Studio-based course with hands-on and digital tools, techniques, and methods.
• Extensive workshops, including laser cutting, rapid prototyping, CNC/robotic milling, 3D scanning, and clay modelling facilities.
• Digital suites with industry-standard CAD modelling, rendering, graphics, animation, and video-editing software.
• Visiting speaker programme with industry professionals and alumni.
• Opportunities for exchange with students on a similar course in overseas universities.

Entry Requirements

• Typical Entry Requirements:
  • UK: 112 UCAS points, BBC at A level, DMM at BTEC, 29 points at International Baccalaureate.
  • International: IELTS 6.0 overall (with no component part lower than 5.5).
• Portfolio: May be required to attend a portfolio showcase, activity session, or submit a portfolio via email.

Fees and Funding

• UK Students: £9,535 per year (full-time), £1,500 per year (placement year).
• International Students: £19,850 per year (full-time), £1,800 per year (placement year).
• EU Students: £9,535 per year (with EU Support Bursary), £19,850 per year (without EU Support Bursary).

Facilities

• Workshops: Industry-standard quality, including 3D rapid prototyping, laser cutters, and milling machines.
• Software Suites: PC and Mac labs with Adobe Creative Cloud and other industry-standard software.
• Studio Spaces: Open access to specialist design studios for collaboration and work.

Careers and Opportunities

• Graduate Destinations: Potential career paths include design engineering, packaging design, digital modelling, trend forecasting, UX design, design management, marketing, or academia.
• Employers: Previous graduates have gone on to work at companies including Boss Design, DCA, Dyson, IDEO.org, Jaguar Land Rover, LAYER, Paul Smith, Puma, PriestmanGoode, and Stanley Black & Decker.
• Further Study: Opportunities for postgraduate study, including MA Product Design Innovation and MA Design Management.