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Product Design
BA/BSc (Hons)
Develop products that have the potential to change lives.
The things in our lives, the objects that we love, the equipment we use and the tools we depend upon, are developed by product designers.
A product designer is as much a creative problem solver as they are an identifier of problems. They respond to human needs within real-world contexts, develop sustainable interventions, rigorously test them and turn them into products ready to be manufactured and put to use.
Our professionally accredited degree will give you the skills this fast-moving industry demands. You will explore cutting-edge design thinking, sustainable design principles, material science and engineering, rapid prototyping and manufacturing, and human-centred design principles.
BA route
You’ll focus on the intellectual and creative skills you need to develop objects with purpose, beauty and social relevance. You’ll take a user-centred approach to design and consider how objects are used in social groups and cultural situations.
BSc route
You’ll concentrate on design for manufacture and assembly – focusing on technical and engineering issues. You’ll develop your logistical and intellectual skills and use them to solve problems and develop products. You will have full use of our extensive workshop facilities and specialist design studios – where you’ll gain practical knowledge of a variety of materials and develop skills, including:
• Design Process: User Centric Methodologies including Design Thinking and Human-Centred Design
• User Insights: Ethnography Research, Empathy as a Designers tool, User testing
• 2D and 3D Conceptualisation: Sketching, Rapid Prototyping, Hand Modelling
• Prototyping: Arduino/Electronics, Laser cutting, Computer Numerical Machining (CNC), 3D printing, Woodwork, Stitch, Metal work, Ceramics
• Design for Manufacture: Industry standard CAD software, CAD/ CAM, Exploration of Manufacturing Processes and Material Properties
• Presentation Techniques: Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Keyshot
• Engineering Science (BSc): Mechanical Properties, Machines and Mechanical advantage, Power Transmission Systems, Analogue and Digital Signal and their processing, Electronics, Computer Programming, Electromechanical Systems
Your future
• Both the BA and BSc give you vital opportunities to experience how product design works in the real world. You will work within realworld contexts on live briefs, on interdisciplinary projects and creative competitions to develop your knowledge of design processes through to manufacture.
• Industry placements, research projects and options to study abroad are also available.
• Graduates have secured product designer roles within the industry upon graduation, whilst others have progressed to postgraduate study with Cardiff School of Art & Design.
Place of study: Llandaff Campus
Course length: 3-4 years full-time, dependent upon taking a year-long sandwich placement
Entry requirements: Typical offer: 96-120 UCAS Points plus portfolio and interview
Opportunities to study part of this degree in Welsh are available
