Product Design
Product Design
course overview
The course gives students the creative and technical knowledge and skills they need to become professionals in the product design industry. The emphasis is placed on conceptual investigation, critical thinking and a hands-on approach towards technological skills, manufacturing skills, and design management.

Career Opportunities
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Product Designer
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Design Consultant
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Design Entrepreneur
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Lighting Designer
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Furniture Designer
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Model Maker for Commercial Studio
Diploma in Product Design
Duration : 6 months
Studio Practice : Sustainable Product Design
3D Conceptualisation
Model Making
The objective of this module is to introduce students to Model Making exploration, understanding the variety of materials and their properties applied to a range of processes relevant to two- and three-dimensional design and construction. These techniques aim to develop accuracy and constructive imagination. Students will develop awareness in structural conceptualization and visual output of the models executed. Discussion and critical appraisal will be essential adjuncts to observation, concept and practice development.
Design Theory
Through this module, students develop a theoretical understanding of design and the full spectrum of different sources, as well as the historical and contemporary models of the design process. They will learn about the cognitive basis of design thinking and how this differs from basic skills, and understand the different design movements and schools of thought that have influenced the design sector over the last century (Bauhaus, eco-design, ergonomics, mass consumerism, and built-in obsolescence), providing an outlook of upcoming trends and futures.
Design Drafting – Technical Drawing
The objective of this module is to provide learning and acquisition of competences on the regulation of technical drawing, according to the most recent definitions applicable in international standards, as well as the acquisition of capabilities in the description of technical content and methodology in project execution. Students will acquire the basic knowledge of techniques, conventions, and use of instruments applied to the design, in the realization of projects. They will also study methods, projection tools for definition and determination of needs, planning, monitoring, and development of the project, enabling them to use their drawing as a projective and technical communication.
Cultural Studies
The objective of this module is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to understand and appreciate architecture and visual arts. The ultimate goal is to help students consider and analyze the inherent interaction between art and social and cultural values, to develop critical thinking abilities, and a greater awareness and understanding of design.
Freehand Drawing
The objective of this module is to provide the students with the skills to use observation drawing as a means to express design ideas, and to familiarize students with a range of sketching and rendering techniques to further communicate these design thoughts effectively. Hands-on drawing exercises enable students to gain knowledge and confidence in their power of visualization and the development of perception and execution skills. Through observation and understanding of basic principles of structure, form, volume, space, planes, lines, perspectives, and proportions, students are encouraged to explore and experiment with various rendering skills and art media.
Colour Application in Design
The objective of this module is to provide the students with knowledge and skills to understand and apply basic principles of colour theory into design related projects. The module’s emphasis is on the study and visual phenomena of colour from conceptualization to the application to specific design areas. In this module, students will learn colour perception, harmony strategies, specification, colour scheme mixing, colour history, composition principles, and practise through successful creative designs.
Advanced Diploma in Product Design
Duration : 18 months
Human Factors
Through this subject, students will critically analyze the importance of user scenario. It will allow students to critically consider the importance of size, weight, as well as the comfort of the user. This module also examines the use of anthropological and ergonomic data in Product Design including understanding the psychology of consumer behaviour and identifying user needs through analyzing the role of the consumer in a contemporary and historical context by examining economic, social, commercial, and gender topics.
Digital Presentation
The objective of this module is to provide students with general knowledge of digital presentation theories, planning, applications, and designs, as well as practical methods and practical skills for creating digital presentations. Students will be able to identify different methodologies and tools for presenting their ideas digitally as well as apply the appropriate digital medium for the generation of design ideas, thereby grasping the skills needed to prepare and deliver effective and meaningful presentations.
Computer Aided Design (AutoCAD)
This module teaches students to produce computer-aided mechanical drawings, providing them with the necessary knowledge in engineering CAD Software drawing, based on 2D drafting, detailing, and 3D applications and their relevance within 3D Design, with a strong emphasis on the standards in technical drawings, specifications, interpreting and preparation of the drawing output (plotting).
Computer Rendering (Rhinoceros)
Students will learn applications and processes in computer rendering, designing and engineering products ranging from jewellery and furniture to automobiles, and how to build 3D models and prototypes with the NURBS-based modeling tools. Students are introduced to three primary entities (the curve, the surface, and the solid) and shown the best ways to draw curves and model 3D objects, to edit their geometry efficiently, and to render and export designs.
Solid Modeling – Rapid Prototyping
Design Rendering
Studio Practice : Electrical Product Design
Electrical Product Design emphasizes examining consumer products through analyzing a range of electrical and electronic products within a creative, commercial, and highly competitive consumer market. In this module, students gain knowledge of internal components, structures, and materials, relating to electrical and electronic product design.
Furniture Design and Application
The objective of this module is to introduce students to the history and theory of furniture design and the application of history and theory to the furniture design process. Students will research and analyze the design and history of furniture, developing knowledge of material and form and their relation to cultural context. Students will also develop an understanding of the importance of ergonomics in the function of furniture. The ultimate goal of this module is to understand that history and theory can be inextricably connected to the design process and that a greater ability in theoretical and critical thinking will allow a greater ability in innovation.
Academic Research and Communication Skills
Studio Practice: Packaging Design
In Packaging Design, students explore the fundamentals of packaging, considering and designing in three dimensions, mass design, designing for specific target markets, food containers, and new product launches and also techniques on creating packaging. They will also learn the functions of wrapping to protect the product create an identity for advertising as well as communicating to the consumers.
Studio Practice: Modular Design Systems
Students will learn the applications and processes of modular design systems and the different forms in the industry, as well as the various approaches and better use of different tools to modular design products. Students will engage in modular assembly exploration of ways of advantages duplication and creation of valid appliance in varied contexts as an open system for flexible modularity.
Manufacturing Technology
This module emphasizes the understanding of the designer’s approach towards the production of goods which impacts on consumers indirectly or directly, analyzing, investigating a range of manufacturing processes from one-off to mass production, with focus on quality, safety, vendor selection, efficiency, sustainability, and costs. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of the constraints of specific processes and apply that within 3D Design.
3D Manipulation (3D Studio Max)
Using the software 3D Studio Max, students will be trained to use a wide variety of techniques of virtual representation of concepts. Students will gain knowledge and skills in three-dimensional rendering through generation support for the presentation and demonstration through animation.
Major Design Project - Product Design
This final project will be self-proposed, from previous projects undertaken throughout the year and developed through to pre-production stage, under the supervision and guidance of a studio lecturer.
Design Management
To prepare students for the real-world industry, students are taught the necessary skills for communication of their portfolio, website, interview session, resume, and curriculum vitae. In this module, the dialogue and research is a crucial factor to assemble a good collection of techniques that will help them in the professional environment. Students need to understand the importance of professional practice, including areas of project management, intellectual property, legal aspects, meeting procedures, client management, market and user research. This module provides Product Designers an insight into how to manage a project while appreciating the roles of design as well as the designer in projects. It covers the concept of design for value, integrated design, the client’s brief, design evaluation, and the impact of design.
Lighting Fundamentals and Design
The objective of this module is to provide students with technical information and necessary knowledge related to lighting design. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of lighting principles, concerning indoor environments, and setting specific atmospheres within a given set of specifications associated with different lighting requirements. The emphasis of this module will be on the specifications of lighting fixtures and basic calculation according to usages of spaces, and understanding the importance and relevance of lighting elements within a contemporary design environment.
Visual Merchandising
Industrial Attachment
This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to gain real-world industry experiences and professional practices in their chosen discipline. It allows students to establish connections, develop useful contacts, and gain industrial skills and an overall perspective of the discipline. The industrial attachment is intended to enhance students’ educational experience and prepare them for their careers.
Duration : 12 months
Everyday Objects Redesigned Studio
Sustainable Design
The aim of this subject is to give students an awareness of the importance of designing for sustainability in addition to providing a valuable knowledge of current sustainable technologies, materials, design innovation and practitioners. The course seeks an interdisciplinary work process where design includes technical, social, economic, ecological integrated and sustainable systems.
Entrepreneurship and New Business Development
This module is designed to provide students the theoretical concepts and practical tools for entrepreneurship and new business development. It aims to encourage students’ interest in starting own firm, and also to provide the skills and knowledge in managing, influencing and stimulating entrepreneurial activities. Students will engage in the entrepreneurial process, from the idea generation stage to the collection of information, further refinement of the original idea to produce business plan and idea pitching. Student will develop competencies, techniques, and skills about entrepreneurship, set within a reflective and critical approach to study business development in the modern economy.
Law for the Creative Industries
The aim of this subject is to examine the legal environment in which local and international contemporary design oriented professionals operate. It is designed to equip students with knowledge of the basic legal principles, and more generally common law systems. The module focuses on contract law and dispute resolution, duty and standard of care, tort and negligence, copyright, and personal indemnity insurance.
One Off to Mass Production
The aim of this module is for students to understand the historical development of manufacturing processes and how these have affected product design. Students will analyse the history of manufacturing from craft manufacture to mass personalisation. They will demonstrate their knowledge through a design project; they will develop the design brief and construct a range of completed objects suitable for different types of manufacturing.
Major Studio Project I
This is the 1st part of a 2 part project. In this module, the students are required to carry out research to develop a design concept for a new product.
Major Studio Project II
This is the 2nd part of a 2 part project. In this module, the students are required to develop the concept and construct a prototype of the object or system they researched on in part 1. This module is completed over 2 semesters.
Project Management
This module covers topics which include project management processes, tools of project management, project resources management, roles and responsibilities of the project manager, project risk assessment, project scheduling, cost estimation and performance analysis, and budgeting.
E-Marketing Strategy
This module introduces the application of marketing principles and techniques via the Internet. E- Marketing is the process of marketing a brand using the Internet and includes both direct response marketing and indirect marketing elements and uses a range of technologies to help connect businesses to their customers.
Leadership and Innovations
This module introduces students to traditional and modern concepts of leadership, and focuses on skill and knowledge development and organizational operations, effectiveness and competition, and social responsibilities.