Course content
Year 1 - Level C
- Design Methods and Projects
You will undertake a series of integrating design projects to apply creative design methods for industrial design. You will develop an individual design process through conceptual and detail design. You will present and communicate your designs through a range of design media, from freehand sketching and rendering to CAD modelling and visualisation.
You will gain the basic knowledge and skills necessary for the intelligent selection and specification of suitable materials and production techniques for design. You will learn about the important properties of various metals, plastics, ceramics and composites and why and how they are important in selecting materials and processing methods in product design. You will also learn about the energy and other environmental issues related to materials and their processing.
You will learn to present two and three dimension drawings, renderings and designs using both manual and computer visualisation techniques. Further you will be shown how to present design media at a professional level in an industrial situation.
This unit will teach you the psychology and physiology you need to know so that you can give full consideration to the people who will use your designs. Only by taking account of such factors as user capabilities and limitations, as well as their likes and dislikes, can your designs be made both usable and pleasurable for them.
You will learn how design history, culture, environment and social issues influence the modern designer. This together with an awareness of future trends in technology, innovation, art and fashion assists the young designer to exploit ideas to produce good design. You will present your views and yourself through a personal development portfolio of a new media nature.
Year 2 - Level I
You will undertake a series of integrating design projects to further develop creativity and a professional approach to industrial design. You will produce design specifications from which to conceptualise, detail design and design for industrial production. You will present and communicate your designs through a range of CAD tools and digital media.
You will further enhance your appreciation of manufacturing and production techniques. This unit covers a broad range of topics from processing considerations to the planning and optimisation of production, and is particularly significant in preparing you for your third year in industry.
You will develop further understanding and application of the principles of design visualisation and presentation and use applied 3-D modeling techniques to aid the visualisation, realisation and presentation of your designs. You will also gain the knowledge to support areas of the design process by use of computer and/or physical modelling and presentation skills and be able to apply an integrated workflow using a balanced range of tools and techniques. Finally, you will develop an understanding and application of colour, texture and light through use of computer and/or manual techniques.
- Design Management and Commercialisation
You will be introduced to the aspects of business and management and will conclude in the final year with the Business Development unit. Students will have an understanding of how they can identify and exploit the company's strengths and evaluate the external opportunities for competitive products.
You will study how to design for the aesthetic aspirations and ergonomic needs of people. You will apply semiotic methods to identify and create aesthetic image and style concepts. You will apply ergonomic methods and techniques to a range of designs and evaluate from an ergonomic viewpoint.
Year 3
Industrial Placement (min 40 weeks)
Year 4 - Level H
You will undertake an individual design project consolidating all aspects of industrial design. You will design for the needs and requirements of people, industry and society. You will direct and manage an entire industrial design project through specification, conceptual and detail design, to present and communicate your design through CAD visualisation and digital media.
- Commercial Design Project
You will undertake a design project specialising in commercial appeal, market, promotion and point of sale. You will identify and specify a consumer market and create a commercially viable design concept. You will present and communicate your design through CAD visualisation and produce promotional material through internet and digital media.
You will gain knowledge of the importance of strategic management and how it interacts with the business development process. Your approach to strategic management and thinking will be developed to heighten your entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. This will enhance your capacity to recognise and capitalise on competitive and innovative opportunities in a changing business environment.
