Product Design BA

In year 1 you will explore the role of the product designer in professional practice and the historical and contemporary environment in which product design operates. You will develop core skills in 2D and 3D design including sketching, ideation, visualisation and physical prototyping, driven by an underpinning knowledge of manufacturing processes and materials. 

This module introduces core skills in studio practice and contextual studies. It develops your knowledge of historical and contemporary practice within your discipline and introduces creative processes, critical thinking, visualisation techniques and core study skills. This knowledge and skillset are developed and applied through a series of exercises and projects. 

This module introduces you to core skills in prototyping, material selection and processes, and mechanical and electrical principles. The focus of the module is developing confidence, awareness and practical applications of this core skill set for different stages of design and engineering practice.

This module introduces design projects and studio practice. It develops your knowledge and understanding of design methods and models and applies these to a series of exercises and design projects. You are equipped with the skill set required to generate, iterate, critique and communicate ideas in response to a given design brief.  

This module offers an introduction to core computing and communication skills for design practice. You will develop skills in computer-aided design (CAD) modelling, design visualisation, design communication and modelling/prototyping. It introduces strategies for engaging with distributed communities of practice and developing an online presence.

In year 2 you will develop and extend this expertise through your knowledge of designing for people, manufacturing processes, materials and ethical and sustainable design practices. You will engage in live projects with industry. 

This module develops your advanced computer-aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) capabilities using industry-standard software. It focuses on advanced surface and feature-based modelling, and computer-based analysis tools. You will develop competence to improve designs and help solve technical problems. The module develops your understanding of reverse engineering, mass manufacture design requirements, product lifecycle analysis and provides an introduction to related design optimisation and analysis techniques such as finite element analysis (FEA).

This module provides the opportunity for you to apply your design knowledge and experience to a series of design projects. You will focus on deepening theory, process and contextual knowledge through a series of workshops, and learn how to apply this when responding to complex design briefs. In addition, the module builds your core employability skills, through the development of a professional design portfolio and digital presence.   

This module develops your understanding of the commercial, legal, financial, ethical and environmental context of design and engineering processes and their impact on society. We will cover issues such as sustainability goals, recognition of obligations to the society, the professional practice and a commitment to professional standards and code(s) of conduct relevant to your discipline (such as the Engineering Council). The module also covers other wider issues such as materials and their impact on environmental factors, waste management, ethics, EDI in a workplace, enterprise and entrepreneurship, security concerns, globalisation (global manufacturing, operating in global markets, cultural issues, financial concerns, risk etc) and its impact on business operations.

This module equips you with prototyping methods and approaches to enable you to successfully engage in a range of prototyping activities to develop, test and optimise design and engineering proposals. The module will develop the capability to analyse design problems, develop effective prototyping strategies and explore creative approaches to prototyping. You will engage with the learning content by building functioning prototypes, at a range of fidelities, using methods appropriate to the design and engineering task.

This module will strengthen, extend and apply the knowledge, skills and experiences you have gained from your course in a working environment, and to complement, stimulate, reinforce and encourage the development of discipline-specific technical knowledge, and your transferable skills. You will gain knowledge of professional requirements in an industry context and record and critically reflect on your personal practice

In your final year of study, after an optional placement year, you will explore contemporary innovation practices, culminating in a final-year project tailored to your design interests and career trajectory, building a professional portfolio and profile. You will have the opportunity to showcase yourself and your work through our graduate design show. 

This module helps develops a systematic understanding of product design development, prototyping, validation and specification at the forefront of current and emerging product design practice. You will develop a body of coherent and detailed knowledge of development frameworks and methods in a range of product/service/interaction/experience sectors. You will deploy this knowledge in a series of practice-based projects to create compelling, feasible and plausible products and experiences suitable for a professional portfolio and career launch. 

This module equips you with the skills to understand the process of innovation in design and engineering contexts and be able to appreciate the way it impacts sectoral professional practice. You will further develop research and written communication skills through the identification of evidence-based innovation opportunities

This module gives you the opportunity to synthesise prior learning and develop your planned graduation trajectory through a self-selected, self-initiated and self-directed major project and complementary professional practice components including EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) principles. The direction of the project is a personal choice supported by appropriate staff to help you best synthesise your course experiences into a project that develops your working practice and professional profile to a quality and in a direction suited to your exit trajectory. You will develop a body of coherent and detailed knowledge of project development, management and communication frameworks and methods in an appropriate professional sector.

You will learn by attending seminars, classes and practical workshops, and undertake creative exercises and projects, attend guest talks and visits and undertake self-directed study. 

You will be based at our north London campus with access to industry-standard equipment and software within our design studio, CAD and workshop facilities.

You will work with us on campus for 12 hours per week (over three days). These learning sessions will include: 

- Interactive guest talks  
- Practical workshop activities 
- Creative exercises  
- Project-based learning (from directed through to self-initiated and self-directed)  
- Laboratory-based IT classes  
- Visits  

These sessions are supported 36 hours per week of independent study, including activities such as design research, developing software skills, continuation of project work etc. 

Here is an indication of how you will split your time:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.

We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop the skills relevant to your degree from research and practical skills to critical thinking. Our Sheppard Library is open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Sunday during term time. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus, even over the weekend.

This programme is accredited by the Institute of Engineering Designers (RProdDes), the UK’s only professional body representing those working in the fields of Engineering and Technological Product Design. You will gain membership throughout your studies and can apply to continue their membership after graduation. Membership of the IED allows entry into that community of professionals, where best practice can be shared, knowledge sought and gained and advice given.

Assessment is 100% coursework, with no additional exams. 

The first year is graded as pass/fail (with extensive feedback throughout). This provides a supportive learning environment that supports exploration, experimentation, risk taking and making mistakes as a core component of design practice. 

You will receive regular feedback on your work and progress and will be supported in developing the skills and confidence to engage in creative conversations around design ideas. Your feedback may include peer feedback, individual tutor feedback, interim project submissions etc. We recognise that each student is different, and we ensure that everyone gets the time, attention and support that they need to reach their full potential.