Sustainable Product Design BA(Hons)

You’ll develop creative and conceptual skills by exploring major modern issues, the visual language of sustainable design, and its critical and theoretical processes. We’ll help you professionally communicate your ideas by teaching you drawing, model-making and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) skills, and introducing you to fundamental manufacturing technologies. You’ll also have the chance to go on local, national and international trips to exhibitions and events like the Milan Furniture Fair. 

Modules

Design Principles

Introduces core aspects of product design practice that affect the form and function of objects for people. Ergonomics, anthropometrics, semantics and aesthetics are discussed and practiced through a series of design workshops and studio-based team projects. 

Form & Materials 

Developing CAD skills to create dimensioned drawings of 3D designs that are translated into real materials. Practical skills are honed through a series of workshops using hand- and machine-based processes using wood-based materials. 

Design Ethics

Introduces ethical contexts by examining key global issues such as food and water, energy, housing, population and resources that are informing design debates for sustainable change. Thematic human-need-based studio projects are aimed at developing innovative design solutions. 

Material Capital

Introduces strategies and tools for informing sustainable material and manufacturing selection. Practical skills are developed in forming and fabricating with metal and plastic materials, through a series of product deconstruction and technical processes workshops, in order to create prototypes. 

You’ll study inclusive design and human-centred research, before collaborating on projects with industry partners. This will build your teamwork skills and uncover possible product design career paths. You’ll also develop your CAD and digital manufacturing skills and debate the contexts, concepts and ethics of the industry. Focusing on the business of design, you’ll explore what’s involved in producing a product – from intellectual property to cost and profitability. And you’ll have the chance to study abroad in countries like Finland, Iceland and the Netherlands. 

Focusing on the business of design, you’ll explore what’s involved in producing a product - from intellectual property to cost and profitability. And you’ll have the chance to study abroad in countries like Finland, Iceland and the Netherlands.

Modules

Digital Prototyping

Working with digital resources such as 3D printing, CNC milling and 3D scanning technologies to create digital data and produce advanced prototypes. Digital collaborative working is introduced and tested through design projects. 

Inclusive Design

Introduces the principles of inclusive design and Human Centred Design (HCD) strategies. You’ll learn primary research methods such as observation, shadowing, simulation and empathy. We’ll also cover data collection techniques, recording and documenting research findings, as well as evaluation strategies. 

Design for Manufacture

You’ll explore multiple manufacturing processes and industries to experience and understand various production methods at volume. Design projects examine how similar production techniques can be employed at an industrial scale and at a range of volumes, from one-off commissions to batch and mass production. 

Design Networks

Places you at the centre of live projects with industry to support the design of innovative products or services. Your design skills will be tested in real contexts through project partnerships and mentoring with external organisations. This module will also equip you with business skills focused on Intellectual Property and design protection. 

You’ll explore current and original design opportunities, develop your ideas through tutorials and team discussions, and turn your concepts into prototypes using skills like digital manufacturing. By delivering one-to-one and group presentations, you’ll focus on professional practices and management. There’ll be opportunities to gain real-world experience by working with external project partners, and to make potential work connections through external networks, project partners and start-ups. 

There’ll be opportunities to gain real-world experience by working with external project partners, and make potential work connections through external networks, project partners and start-ups.

Modules

Design Drivers

You’ll develop and articulate critical rationales and professional practice skills that underpin the final year of study in studio design practice modules. Ethical, moral and social challenges are researched to create critical thematic drivers that are articulated through a written essay.  

Design Visions

This module underpins the inspirational and contextual drivers for the final year of study. Research is applied in and to real-world contexts, providing insights that inform and guide the creation of personal design briefs and the creative process. 

Design Futures

The final and largest module of the undergraduate programme will provide you with the time and support to develop resolved design outcomes to a professional standard through advanced prototypes and communication materials.