Product Design (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)

Study renowned designs and designers while developing research abilities related to Making and Materials and Drawing and Seeing modules.

You will create a Professional Development Plan (PDP) for self-assessment and mid-year course review. Assessment includes workbook exercises, a poster presentation, and a visual essay, with opportunities for formative feedback to guide your development.

In this module, you will immerse yourself in the creation and use of sketchbooks, a vital tool for designers and architects. Through dedicated drawing sessions and creative exercises, you will enhance your freehand drawing skills and use your sketchbook as a means of creative thinking.

You will engage in a series of prescribed drawing activities, receiving formative feedback through 1:1 sketchbook reviews and weekly "show and tell" sessions. By the end of the module, you will confidently understand the value of sketchbooks and be ready to use this skill moving forward in your studies.

In this module you will explore the properties, textures, cost, durability, and sustainability of various materials. Engage in hands-on activities to understand basic fabrication techniques and make informed material choices for your design projects.

Gain practical experience through hands-on drawing and making exercises, working collaboratively on initial design proposals, and completing a portfolio to showcase your creative solutions and teamwork skills.

You will learn to identify and adapt to design constraints by creating a small living space within a re-purposed shipping container. Explore celebrated micro-home examples and utilize constraints to drive your innovative solutions.

Work with industry clients on real-world or simulated design briefs, using your foundational skills to address challenges and create drawings, models, and a final poster and presentation. Weekly tasks guide you with clear, short-term goals and help you develop your ideas step-by-step.

Build confidence in visual presentations and critiques, preparing you for undergraduate studies. Gain valuable insights into industry practices by exploring materials, fabrication methods, and collaboration, giving you a comprehensive understanding of how the industry operates.

You will develop an understanding of the key attributes of being a designer in all that you do, especially in applying safe working practices within the studios and workshops.

You will study issues and ideas exploring design from political, technological, social and economic perspectives.

As part of this module you will learn key design communication techniques, which is a significant tool for any designer in supporting the design process. This will include a range of media and methods in 2D and 3D i.e. sketching, basic modelling and presentation skills.

You will develop your awareness of design; furthering your design skills and expanding on design communication as a tool to develop your own design processes. These skills will be developed by selecting and employing a range of media and design methods that will give you confidence to apply safe working practices within the studio and workshop environment.

Studies on the module involve a number of techniques including sketching and rendering, computer aided design (CAD) and digital modelling in 3D.

This module will expand your studies of design communication, providing a more advanced view and develop your designer toolkit.

You will expand your understanding and the consideration of technology relative to materials and production, electronics, electrical systems and programming.

You will also be introduced to the basic principles and applications of technology and see how they affect the development of products and systems.

Explore diverse product sectors and boost your knowledge of design, innovation and manufacturing processes, with a focus on creating impactful, sustainable products.

Develop your understanding of environmental and ethical considerations in design, learning how to choose manufacturing processes that support sustainability and responsible practices.

Explore design's past, present, and future. Get hands-on experience through industry insights and discussions, helping you map out your future in the design world with practical, real-world knowledge.

Develop your critical and analytical skills and learn essential topics like design management, sustainability, and commercial awareness. Understand the wider design industry, including the roles and responsibilities of designers, manufacturers, and consumers, preparing you for a successful career.

On this module you will explore advanced communication techniques like sketches, renderings, models, and prototypes. You'll learn how to use these tools to enhance your design process and create standout work.

You'll sharpen your communication skills to level up your portfolio, CV and other industry facing materials.

You'll get hands on with real-world design challenges, working to tight deadlines and tackling issues that designers face every day.

Enhance your skills by creating everything from CAD models and prototypes to technical reports and sketches, all while learning to choose the best materials an approaches for your designs.

Develop creative problem-solving abilities, whether working on your own or as part of a team. All preparing you for the fast-paced world of product design.

This module gives you the opportunity to explore and research a subject of your interest, shaping your design ideas and set a clear plan for your work throughout the year.

You’ll create a dynamic portfolio as you’re challenged to source information, build a strong argument and reflect critically on your design journey.

You will have themes, provided by your course team, that you can select a project from, and you will work on this for the entirety of the module.

This module will help you develop your ability to conduct a project, integrating knowledge and skills you have gained from the programme.

This module is design-orientated which may involve selection of materials, processes, prototype making, product testing and evaluation. Your approach to practical work will show autonomy, initiative, risk-taking and innovation and be clearly articulated and contextualised through visual, written and verbal means.

This module allows you to dive into a topic you're passionate about. Research and create a scoping document that highlights your key findings, setting the stage for your future design work.

You'll use this module to explore relevant subjects and set the foundation for your self-directed project.

This module encourages you to explore, model, research, propose and develop ideas, concepts and products through a number of chosen and self-regulated projects. The synthesis of information, skills and learned knowledge will help you develop your portfolio and personal stance on contemporary design.

You will be tutored by academic staff who have a rich experience of professional design practice, who will guide you through the development of your projects.

Your work will be driven by live industrial/commercial input and partners, developing real world solutions. The objectives of this module are therefore to promote the application of your skills, knowledge and understanding of design methodologies in the creative realisation of products, and to understand your own practise in a professional context.

This module encourages you to explore, research, propose and develop ideas, model, develop concepts and products through a chosen, self-regulated project.

The synthesis of information, skills and learned knowledge will help you develop your portfolio and personal stance on contemporary design. As a final year module, you are expected to draw upon the teaching and learning you have experienced over the previous years of study.

In your final year, you'll be invited to display your work as part of NTU's Degree Shows. The events are an opportunity for all Final Year students studying ADBE's design-based courses to showcase their work to our network of industry professionals and prospective employers, invited specifically for this purpose.