Industrial Product Design

To design is to create something new. This requires innovative thinking. Looking at products do you sometimes say “I could have designed this better”?

Do you want to work in an innovative and enterprising arena that would challenge your creative and problem-solving abilities? Our Product Design programmes offer all these opportunities.

The wide spectrum of design work undertaken has a strong focus on the interface of consumer products with their users. Specialist modules in Aesthetics, Ergonomics and Marketing are underpinned by Design Principles and Projects. An ideal balance between creative and technical design skills.

Subject guide & modules

In the School of Engineering and Applied Science we aim to develop a new generation of creative product designers with knowledge, skills and ideas that will be valued by all sectors of design, development, production and business. This aim is achieved by providing project driven degree programmes that include creative thinking and design visualisation, in parallel with studies in engineering science, materials and manufacturing and the management of innovation.

All our first year programmes girve you a grounding in the principles of Product Design together with flexibility to change streams at the end of the first year to reflect your own design interests.

In the second and final year you will experience a common core of six design modules to support your specialist stream of four subject specific modules. In addition you will develop design projects that integrate your design specialism with the core aspects of Product Design.

Learning, teaching & assessment

Our programmes are application-led through a provision of core case studies and projects, the majority of which are team-based and simulate the actual work of product development. You will also undertake individual projects throughout your studies, which will enable you to create a balance between group and individual work. Each year you will also carry out ‘live’ design projects with industrial partners.

To ensure you gain a thorough understanding of fundamental engineering principles as well as practical skills, the programme encompasses relevant analytical material, which is provided through lectures, tutorials, labs and directed study. The programme is supported by additional lectures and seminars provided by specialists from industry. Assessment is by a combination of continuous assessment, case studies, design projects and written exams.

Career prospects

Career opportunities exist for our graduates in design, general management and consultancy, technology, engineering and education (e.g. teaching), areas where Aston graduates have been successful over many years. Our students are able to demonstrate creative design skills alongside sound technical knowledge and experience, a balance which employers consider to be an advantage.

Recent graduate destinations include design or technical roles for companies such as Laing, Goodrich, Husio International, The Eden Project, J Engineering, SMK, The Marketing Company, Sainsbury’s, TNA Europe, Hives, Rolls Royce and Calsonic Kansei.
Recent graduate roles include:

• Design engineers

• CAD specialists

• Management trainees

• Further study in Industrial Design

• General management, education and administration

Objectives

Our design courses are stimulating, relevant, challenging and rewarding. We aim to provide you with the knowledge of materials, production processes and technology as well as skills in aesthetics, ergonomics and management that will enable you to develop a successful career in design. These aims include:

• developing your understanding of the significance of design to the profitability of business, commerce and the economy as a whole

• continual development of relevant skills including presentation, ICT and team working which are sought after by employers

• expanding your knowledge, confidence, professional values and attitudes essential for a successful career in Product Design