Program Overview

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BDes (Hons) Product Design

Overview

The BDes (Hons) Product Design course covers a wide range of design activity and innovation from commercial 3D objects to conceptual design interventions in spaces and communication. With an emphasis on innovation and user-focus, you'll learn a range of practical skills in visualisation, prototyping, CAD, materials, fabrication, business and marketing skills to prepare you for a career in design.

Mode of Study

• Full-time

Duration

• 4 years

Start date

• September

UCAS code

• W241

Course details

You'll gain practical skills in design, sketching, use of digital media, 3D modelling, materials and manufacture, plus business and marketing skills. This course will address future technologies, changing consumer culture and the impact of carbon neutral lifestyles, both locally and globally.

You'll gain an understanding of the creative economy and professional design practice. You'll work with our industry partners on live projects and have the opportunity to undertake a work placement. We encourage links with industry through external lectures, placements and participation in competitions.

In Year 3 you can also study overseas with one of our partners in Europe, Scandinavia, China, Australia, New Zealand or North America.

You'll develop your skills in research, problem solving, conceptual development and design thinking which you can also apply to other creative areas such as UX and service design, branding, advertising.

The course is supported by designated studio spaces for you to learn and practice in, and a modelling workshop with rapid prototyping and excellent computing facilities.

This is a full-time course studied over four years. You'll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, laboratory sessions and independent study.

Additional mandatory costs

• All Years: Printing and model-making material costs

How you'll be taught

Core knowledge and contextual understanding (A1 to A6) is acquired through lectures, studio practical activities, seminars, tutorials, group work, fieldwork, overseas placement and guided independent learning.

Assessments

Your knowledge and understanding of product design will be assessed using a combination of short-term and long-term practical projects, individual and group presentations of projects to tutors, peers and, where appropriate, external bodies.

Assessment methods are dependent on the module deliverables, whether studio-based or theoretical/contextual and can be through presentations, a portfolio of creative work, or a written submission.

Work placement

In the second trimester of your third year you will have the opportunity to study at a partner university overseas, or take a work placement in industry.

We also have strong links with local and internationally based design studios who offer mentoring and placements throughout the year.

Study abroad

The programme has a wide international footprint. In the second trimester of your third year you will have the opportunity to study at a partner university overseas, or take a work placement in industry.

The programme currently has international partners in France, The Netherlands, Scandinavia, Canada, China, Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to our longer-term three-month exchange programmes, we also offer short-term one-week international design workshops hosted between our six different European design partners.

Popular modules

Year 1

• Foundation product design 1 and 2
• Debates in design 1
• Foundation digital media 1 & 2
• Visual research methods

Year 2

• Materials for inspirational design 1 and 2
• Product design studio 1 and 2
• Debates in design 2
• Design and business

Year 3

• Materials for inspirational design 3
• Product design studio 3 and 4
• Design & urbanism or Branding
• Design research methods
• Prototyping interactive experiences
• Optional work experience or overseas study

Year 4

• Professional practice
• Major project
• Dissertation

Also in year 4:

• Enter your work into competitions
• Optional supervised work placement or overseas study module

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

As part of the selection process suitably qualified applicants will normally be required to submit a portfolio/attend an interview. This applies to all years of entry.

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Year 1

Minimum Year 1

• SQA Higher: BBBC preferably including one of: Art and Design, Design and Manufacture or Daydream Believers Level 6 Creative Thinking at grade B.
• A Level: CCC preferably including one of: Art and Design/Design and Technology: (Product Design)
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H2, H3, H3, H3 at HL including preferably Art.
• BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3: Minimum grades MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.
• BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3: Minimum grades DD (Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Award of Diploma with 27 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6,5,4 including preferably one of: Visual Arts or Design Technology.
• T Level: Grade Pass

Year 2

Minimum Year 2

• SQA Advanced Higher: BBC including preferably one of: Art and Design or Design and Manufacture
• A Level: BBB including preferably one of: Art and Design/Design and Technology: (Product Design)
• HNC/D: Pass HNC 3D Design or HND Digital Design and Development with grade B in the graded unit.

Year 3

Minimum Year 3

• HND: Pass HND in 3D Design, Art and Design, Computer Aided Draughting and Design or Furniture with grade B at SCQF Level 8 in all graded units.

English language

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

International students

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying.

Tuition fees for 2024/25

• Students from Scotland: £1,820
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,250
• Overseas and EU students: £19,340

Careers

What can you do with a BDes (Hons) Product Design course?

The BDes (Hons) Product Design course will let aspiring product designers embark on a journey of creativity and innovation to shape the future of consumer goods and experiences. Through a blend of design theory, technical skills, and hands-on prototyping, you'll learn to develop products that are not only functional and user-friendly but also aesthetically pleasing and emotionally resonant.

This course can lead to a career in various areas of design including:

• Product design
• Industrial design
• Furniture design
• Concept design for the film and gaming industries
• UX and service design
• Medical equipment design
• Sports equipment design
• Advertising

You'll explore the entire product design process, from concept development and sketching to 3D modeling and material selection. Working out of our dedicated programme studio spaces and workshops, you'll gain practical experience translating ideas into tangible prototypes and refining designs based on user feedback and market research.

Upon completion, you'll emerge as a versatile and innovative product designer, ready to tackle the challenges of creating meaningful and impactful products that enhance people's lives. Whether you aspire to work in consumer electronics, furniture design, or sustainable product development, our BDes (Hons) in Product Design will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in the exciting and ever-evolving field of product design.

What does a Product Designer do?

Working as a Product Designer, you will have the chance to use your creativity and problem-solving skills to shape the products and experiences of tomorrow. In this role, you'll blend art and engineering to create products that are not only functional and user-friendly but also beautiful and intuitive.

Your responsibilities will encompass every stage of the design process, from ideation and prototyping to testing and iteration. Picture yourself collaborating with cross-functional teams of engineers, marketers, and stakeholders to understand user needs and market trends, then translating those insights into innovative product designs.

By utilising your expertise in design thinking and human-centered design, you will create solutions that address real-world problems and delight users. Your passion for innovation and your commitment to excellence will drive you to push the boundaries of design, exploring new materials, technologies, and aesthetics to create products that stand out in a crowded marketplace.