ENGINEERING PRODUCT DESIGN WITH FOUNDATION YEAR (BSC HONS)

The module is an introductory experience for students on the BSc Product Design course and covers the majority of practical work to be undertaken at first year level – design methods, process and projects. Using design projects as a vehicle, students will cover design methodology, physical prototyping, workshop skills, and an introduction to materials and manufacturing technology. Assessment: 100% Coursework

As a designer you need to communicate your ideas to other people and to develop your design concepts and ideas in two dimensions. This module includes free hand drawing and sketching, technical drawing, graphic communication and digital visual tools. You will learn to draw (and to use drawing as a design thinking and problem solving tool) and how to present your work in a clear and professional way. Assessment: 100% Coursework

The module provides an introduction to the principles and use of Computer Aided Design techniques and software for Product and Engineering design. It includes a grounding in Engineering Drawing techniques and conventions. Assessment: 100% Coursework

This Module is an introduction to principles of human centred design, universal design, user profiling, anthropometrics and ergonomics. Many areas in our society require a radical rethink to allow all individuals to live fuller, more socially integrated, independent and inclusive. The module contributes to develop a user centred design literate graduate by introducing design thinking methods that encourage well-being and people’s empowerment. It leads to systems, products and/or services that are physically, cognitively and emotionally intuitive to use with an aesthetic awareness. Assessment: 100% Coursework

Knowledge of sustainability is of paramount importance to designers because they make a significant contribution to the majority of designed products. Therefore, this module introduces students to the three fundamental principles of sustainability (environmental, social and economic factors) and highlights the importance of their integration in order to create properly sustainable design output. The module also helps students also develop their creativity and problem solving skills to produce aesthetically pleasing and intuitive design proposals at the same time as developing fundamental understanding of technological principles and applications (general mechanical, electrical, electronic concept, trigonometry etc.) Furthermore in addition to learning about sustainability, the module educates students for sustainability by encouraging them to practice sustainability in other aspects of their lives and become sustainability literate graduates. Assessment: 100% Coursework

The module will build on the experience in the Design Methods and other first year modules and aims to develop design thinking methodology and product development practice for the placement (sandwich) year and the final year projects. The module will allow students to experience a thorough range of design process cycles and develop various resolution prototypes in relation to the weighting of the assignments. You will need to reflect on the increasing diversity in product, service interaction design and “design thinking” as a component of business development. Assessment: 100% Coursework

The module will enhance fundamental employability skills for a graduate in the contemporary design industry. It builds on the concepts that were introduced in level 4 modules, with a view to creation of a professional portfolio that reflects the design capabilities of the student, in order to leave them in a strong position for gaining a work placement and/or graduate employment. Assessment: 100% Coursework

This module develops advanced Computer Aided Design skills and introduces students to the principles of Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM), and communication and demonstration of these ideas through photo-realistic rendering and digital animations. Assessment: 100% Coursework

The module raises students’ awareness of new design approaches, emerging technological and scientific research as well as ethical, economic and socio/cultural changes in society. It enhances students’ ability to address and think critically about future challenges and emerging technologies. It also explores new design methods to provide opportunities for interdisciplinary projects. Assessment: 100% Coursework

This module explores new roles, contexts and approaches for design in relation to the social, cultural and ethical impact of existing and emerging technologies. Projects will encourage students to be informed by different perspectives, people and disciplines, enabling collaborative exchange of knowledge. Assessment: 100% Coursework

The module will allow students to apply ‘design thinking’ techniques and methods coupled with their technical specialist focus and practical skills, to the design, development and production of a working prototype of a product. It provides an opportunity to showcase your product design skills at the highest level yet in preparation for seeking an industrial placement. Assessment: 100% Coursework

Students benefit enormously from spending a period of time in industry, whatever course you undertake. This module is designed to provide students with first-hand knowledge and experience in an appropriate industrial setting. Some design and creative industries work largely on the basis of long-term salaried positions, others work on the basis of subcontracted and specialist working, usually of a short-term nature. Students are required to work in a situation where you are accountable to an outside company or person for the work you carry out. The employment in total needs to be the equivalent of at least a complete academic year (30 weeks) in some form of appropriately employed or voluntary capacity within the industry, in its broadest terms. You are required to have access to the local management in order to understand the ways in which management decisions and actions take place as well as concentrating on achieving the best performance possible in the technicalities of the placement work.

In this module students identify a suitable subject for the Product Design Project; you then develop a project brief and work plan, which are presented visually and verbally in addition to their preliminary contextual research and justification for the proposed project. Students also develop brand identity for the Design Degree Show, which may be pitched to experts and/or design professionals. Assessment: 100% Coursework

This module is for students in the Product Design cluster and aims to augment the students design portfolio with subsidiary projects in addition to their major design project it also allows students to investigate how their ‘design thinking’ techniques, methods and practical skills can be applied to other aspects of commerce and society. Assessment: 100% Coursework

In this module final year students engage in primary and secondary source research to investigate and critically analyse a subject related to the profession and practice of Product Design in order to produce a well written and illustrated dissertation that broadens their understanding of the various factors that influence the design process and profession. Assessment: 100% Coursework

The Design Project requires students to develop an engineered solution from concept through to artefact based on the subject that is identified via Research Methods for Design Projects module. The artefact may be physical and/or digital. The project deliverables include, a detailed record of the design development process, a fully developed artefact, and an analytical report that demonstrates the application of human centred design expertise to the proposed solution. The project provides an opportunity to explore a chosen specialist field in order to develop expertise and demonstrate depth of understanding. In order to execute their individual projects students will draw on selected tools and resources learned in previous modules and produce a coherent and professional methodology for the intended solution. Assessment: 100% Coursework