BA/BSc Honours PRODUCT DESIGN DEGREE

Overview & facilities

The BA/BSc (Hons) Product Design degree at Middlesex is an inspiring, hands-on course that will provide you with the skills, knowledge, experience and confidence to design and develop compelling products, services and systems for the 21st century.

We believe that good design comes through many things, but talking, listening, observing, sharing, prototyping, engaging and having fun are most important. As a community of designers we use creative conversations to learn, to collaborate and to design.

You'll enjoy a design education that emphasises strategic, collaborative and visionary design and the innovative use and application of technology in society and the development of a relevant design philosophy, dependent upon your design focus. The interplay between 'people and technology' is the Product Designers domain.  On the BA, we emphasise 'People'; the BSc 'Technology'. Our approach of 'understand; explore; create; validate' will help you to become an active experimenter, someone who is curious, ingenious and who enjoys new challenges and opportunities. As a graduate from this course you will be exceptionally well prepared to enter into contemporary design practice.

Many of the modules are project based, allowing you to experience the thrill of creating product designs and the satisfaction of bringing them to reality through the development process.

You will have the opportunity to study in a commercially orientated environment. You will follow at least two live industrially-sponsored projects each year. 

We encourage you to undertake a thick sandwich industrial placement, where you work as a paid employee in a design consultancy or manufacturing company in your third year of study.

You will be exposed to a productive, multidisciplinary working environment, providing access to brand-new, state of the art facilities set within one centre in north London. These include extensive workshops, studios, laboratories and computer aided design and manufacturing equipment. All are supervised and supported by well-qualified technical staff.

The BA/BSc Product Design degree with honours is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).

Facilities 

Product Design is very well equipped and resourced. The department enjoys a capacity of over 100 high spec workstations with dedicated CAD/CAM equipment. The workshops feature industrial scale facilities for CNC milling, turning, laser cutting, additive manufacturing/rapid prototyping and CMM reverse engineering. Electronics and mechatronics prototyping and production, inc LabView and Multisim tools with associated hardware such as NI-ELVIS training equipment and Compact Rio control systems provided by National Instruments and  PCB manufacture. Festo automated production and assembly simulation equipment.

News

Product Design and Engineering students selected for WorldSkills London 2011

Download the School of Engineering and Information Sciences brochure.

Student profile

Kieron-Scott Woodhouse is in the final year of his Product Design and Engineering Degree. Kieron-Scott recently caused a media frenzy when his innovative design for a bamboo smart phone, now called the ‘Adzero’, was noticed by a technology entrepreneur from China.

Content & modules

Modules

• Year 1

  Computer Mediated Design Practice (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module offers an introduction to core computing skills for design practice. It enables students to develop skills in CAD modelling, design visualisation, design communication and product prototyping. It introduces strategies for engaging with distributed communities or practice and developing an online presence.

  Design and Studio Practice (60 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module introduces students to core skills in design and studio practice. The focus of the module is on developing both an intellectual awareness and a practical application of design process methods, ideas generation and communication techniques and creative conversations

  Prototyping (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module introduces students to core skills in prototyping. The focus of the module is developing confidence in an awareness and practical application of prototyping techniques appropriate for different stages of the design process.

• Year 2

  Advanced CAD and CAM (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module develops students advanced CAD and CAM capabilities. It focuses on advanced surface and feature-based modelling techniques as product design tools and enables students to develop competence in the use of these processes, techniques and tools. The module develops students understanding of reverse engineering, mass manufacture design requirements and related design optimisation techniques.

  Design Projects (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  Aims To provide students with the opportunity to undertake integrated, client-led, design projects, in a supported learning environment. The projects will include one or all of the following: 1 A sponsored live project undertaken with an industrial partner. 2 A collaborative product based opportunity with another University School or Institution. 3 A speculative project arising out of emergent opportunity. The projects will provide opportunities for students to apply knowledge gained from their complementary studies in a task-directed, goal-oriented scenario. Projects at this level will be framed by given briefs with identified deliverables. Pathways for programmes will include some combined BA/BSc/BA Digital projects, with some programme specific.

  Human Factors and Product Semantics (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This subject introduces students to the fundamental principles of Human Factors and Semantics in relation to product design, in its broadest sense. Students will be introduced to symbolic and physical interactions of humans with systems and artefacts. They will explore a variety of complex design issues, via Human-Centred and Activity-Centred Design processes Summarised as : Understand-Explore-Create-Validate to develop empathy and insight. They will be introduced to the ideas of Social Design and Open Innovation, to furnish them with new ways of creatively responding to human requirements. Students will be encouraged to apply all principles to their evolving practice.

  Product Design in Context (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to heighten student awareness of current and emerging designers/design trends and the impact of design and innovation in contemporary society. The module content is considered within: 1. A context of social, economic, political and cultural movements and events, from the Industrial Revolution onwards. 2. A complementary perspective exploring the technique of material selections and its effects in contemporary product development. 3. An integrating perspective of Responsible Design.

• Year 3

  Design Dissertation (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  To further develop research skills and written communication. To develop students ability to build and articulate an evidence-based argument. To develop students ability to devise commercialisation strategies.

  Design Proposition (90 Credits) - Compulsory

  To provide students with the opportunity to undertake major pieces of product design that are self-initiated and self-managed. To provide the opportunity to engage in these projects over an extended period of time and to make a significant personal contribution to all phases of the design development process appropriate to the goals of each programme.

  TKSW Placement (120 Credits) - Optional

  To strengthen, extend and apply the knowledge, skills and experiences students have gained from their programme in the context of a working environment. To complement, stimulate, reinforce and encourage the development of discipline-specific technical knowledge, and students transferable skills.

Product domains covered include: consumer durables, lighting, furniture, smart products, transportation, sports and leisure products, toys and games. You examine design issues relating to: human factors, marketing, product semantics, sustainable design, CAD visualisation and simulation, advanced manufacturing, rapid prototyping and contextual design studies.

Techniques you develop include both traditional workshop and studio based design processes and cutting edge computer aided design and manufacturing techniques.  A design discourse strand enables you to understand design in its wider context and its place in the cultural context.

BA and BSc are differentiated by the following modules in Year 2, as well as design projects and propositions throughout the course.

BA Product Design - Human Factors and Product Semantics - full description below.

BSc Product Design - Robotics and Mechatronics
To introduce the concepts and theory of operation that lie behind mechatronic devices and systems. To gain experiential understanding of the effect that design has on these devices through construction, programming, demonstration and analysis. To develop realisable solutions to real world situations and needs. To develop the students practical capability in the design and realisation of prototype mechatronic systems using appropriate microcontroller devices and associate programming languages.

BA/BSc Product Design is supported by a series of guest lectures throughout the course. 

Download the course specifications.

Entry & applying

We normally make offers on 280 UCAS tariff points and GCSEs Grade C or above in English Language and Maths ,plus interview with portfolio. We welcome applications fron overseas applicants.

International entry requirements

We accept the equivalent of the above from a recognised overseas qualification, to find out more about the requirements from your country, see further information under support in your country. For details of other equivalent requirements that Middlesex accepts see entry requirements.

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components) or TOEFL internet based 72 (with at least 17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading).

Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk.

Entry into year two or three (transfer students)

If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex course in year two or three. For full details of how this works see transfer students.

UK/EU applicants with existing higher education qualifications

If you have already been awarded a qualification at the same level as the course you are applying for, you may not be eligible for a tuition fee loan, see fees and funding for more information.

How to Apply

UK/EU students

Apply now

Applications for UK and EU students should be made to UCAS – the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The institution code for Middlesex is M80, and the code name is MIDDX. You also need the code for the course you wish to apply for – this is found in the 'at a glance' box above.

International students

International students from outside the EU can make a direct application.  We have a network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.  They have experience with helping students from your country and supporting them with their applications to study at Middlesex. Read more on international applications. 

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for UK/EU students is £9,000.
The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for International students is £10,400.

Click here to find out more about fees, funding and our scholarships in 2012.

Careers & placements

Our graduates  work in leading companies e.g. IDEO, Dyson, ATandT- VTech, LEGO and flourish because of their abilities to productively engage in the creative process. We regularly win prestigious design prizes, e.g. James Dyson International Award for Product Design 2008.

Whilst on the course, you are encouraged to develop a commercial approach to design via supported live projects with industrial partners and industrial placements. You will undertake contextual studies into the nature and contexts of the profession and are supported in developing an exit portfolio, a CV and a career entry plan.

Graduate employment prospects

Based on data from the respondents of the 2009-10 Destination of Leavers in Higher Education survey, six months after graduating:

• 73% of Product Design graduates were in employment or further study
• 27% were doing something else, such as travelling, or assumed unemployed 

Middlesex graduates from this group have been successful at gaining employment in the following roles: Director, Designer, Operations Assistant and Teaching Assistant. 

Graduate Roles

Below are just a few examples of the types of careers that you could pursue after graduating with us: 

Product Designer - A Product Designer role includes problem solving - analysing problems and creating solutions, market research, designing, prototyping and creating products and taking them through to market.   

Applications Designer- An applications designer role includes writing specifications and designing, building, testing, implementing and sometimes supporting applications using computer languages and development tools. Many specialise in a specific development environment, such as computer games or e-commerce, and will have in-depth knowledge of a few relevant computer languages.  

Web Designer - Web designers are responsible for the layout, visual appearance and usability of a website. They have knowledge of graphic design packages such as Fireworks or Photoshop in order to produce basic layout and manipulate images. 

Design Engineer- A Design Engineer role includes researching and developing ideas for new products and systems, and improving those that already exist.  Design Engineers work in a wide range of industries on a range of products and services.

CAD Technician - A Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) Technician uses software to develop design plans such as floor plans, buildings plans and exhibition layouts. CAD Technicians may also work on product designs which are then sent to engineers to create prototpyes.

Electrical Engineer - Electrical Engineers work on designing and developing electrical products and components.  This can include electrical machinery, control systems and equipment in a number of industries from transport, to telecommunications, to the armed forces.

Mechanical Engineer - A Mechanical Engineer works on the design, development and maintenance of mechanical components, systems and machinery. A Mechanical Engineer can work in a range of industries where mechanical systems are used.