Product Design uel.ac.uk/productdesign
Welcome to the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering Welcome to the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE) – one of the largest academic schools on campus and located in the stunning waterfront setting of the Docklands in London. ACE is proud to be a part of the University of East London (UEL), a global learning community with over 26,000 students from over 120 countries worldwide.
Our vision is to be an enterprising, international university bringing transformational opportunities to individuals, communities and businesses through diversity, partnership and excellence in teaching and research. We create accredited multidisciplinary programmes to meet the needs of industries today and tomorrow. We inspire our students to think independently and foster a powerful research community. We understand it is the combination of theoretical knowledge; commercial acumen and creative thought that our students will need to solve some of the world’s most challenging problems. We are pioneering, innovative and progressive, working with an extensive range of organisations in diverse ways to realise the potential of our ambitious students, academic expertise and influential network. This brochure provides an overview of the BSc (Hons) Product Design programme and the many benefits it offers, including the great employment opportunities for your future.
Product design
Product designers have a unique process for solving problems and contributing to the product development process. This process can be used to tackle a wide range of problems, including developing strategies that help determine the future direction of a business. Product design is as much about people as it is about products. User-centred research is an important element of the process leading to good design. The process of designing a product requires the designer to understand the interactions between the potential design solution and the user of the product. The process of modelling and prototyping enables the designer to refine the ideas and involve the user from an early stage, ensuring viable design solutions.
BSc (Hons) programme
We will equip you with an array of skills, including research, concept generation, product development, prototyping, contextual studies marketing and business strategies. By the end of your degree you will have the essential tools to design socially and ethically viable solutions and to lead innovation in a fast-changing world. The BSc (Hons) programme looks at the incremental process of product development, and will teach you to: • collect and analyse research data within user scenarios • create design concepts and respond to a performance framework • evaluate and test design ideas at all stages of the design process • develop and refine innovative product solutions for manufacture • present resolved design solutions • demonstrate feasible solutions understanding current know-how, technology and resources available • consider real-world issues and needs.
What you will study
Year 1 Year 1 provides you with general design skills such as research methods, concept generation, model making, CAD (computer-aided design), team building exercises, design history, cultural context and presentation skills. Year 2 In your second year, you are provided with professional insights into business skills, project briefs and report writing, user-centred research activities and team leadership. You will develop live projects with industry, and participate in a European exchange and summer placements. Year 3 During your third year, engaging in major design competitions offers you the opportunity to compete on national and international levels. The self-initiated major design project combines all skills, giving you the opportunity to exhibit at UK graduate shows. Visit www.newdesigners.com to check out past exhibits.
Resources and facilities
The product design facilities include state-of-the-art computer-aided design (CAD) design suites utilising an array of two- and three-dimensional programs to produce rendering and prototyping information. The School also has a fully equipped model-making workshop run by skilled and experienced technicians. The workshop supports the product design exploration process and encourages sketch and refined model making for testing, evaluating and presentation purposes. To support the development of workshop skills and modelling, the course also runs a number of prototyping services such as the Fused Deposition Modelling Machine, which builds 3D models from layered CAD data, and lasercutting that enables the production of sophistication presentation material. You will benefit from dedicated studio space, equipped with CAD facilities and supporting material for photography, projection and presentation purposes.
Employability
Design skills are highly transferable and product design education provides you with an excellent grounding, not only in the product design field but in many design-related careers such as design management, research, consultancy and various teaching activities. Recent graduates have moved on to: • employment with British and overseas design consultancies and engineering firms • employment in exhibition, point-of-sale and point-of-purchase design • marketing and packaging design • setting up new enterprises with the support of Knowledge Dock and UEL • postgraduate study • design and technology teaching careers • employment in other design-related disciplines. On successful completion of your degree you will have the opportunity to exhibit your work at the annual New Designers Exhibition, which provides a platform to showcase your abilities and skills. With the support of your tutors you have the opportunity to design your own exhibition stand and present your final design projects. Additionally, each academic year concludes with an in-house exhibition and opportunity to showcase your work to your colleagues, the University, external students and potential employers.
Why study at the University of East London?
Going to university is an investment. You are investing your time and your money in a degree that will put you on the right path for a successful career, and you need to choose the right course and university for you. We believe in investing in our students both academically and financially. At the University of East London, you will benefit from: • free textbooks for each module • a progress bursary of up to £1,100 to use to purchase study-related items • a personal tutor to support your learning and progression • an engaging and inspiring academic experience • access to our Going Global scheme – a fund reserved for students to apply to travel internationally to enhance their studies • placement opportunities, mentoring, guest lecturers and internships through our strong industry links • a modern and stunning campus environment, with cutting-edge facilities including a £21 million sports centre and libraries open 24/7 • a dedicated service to equip you for employment, including a graduate internship programme • access to a year’s business incubation space for student entrepreneurs • free study skills workshops and short courses in essential programmes such as Excel, PowerPoint and Word. • a £3,000+ NSP Bursary (if you live locally or have 300+ UCAS points).
How to apply
All applications for full-time undergraduate courses starting in September are made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions System (UCAS). UCAS offers a secure, web-based application system that allows you to track your application. To register for UCAS, please go to www.ucas.com and follow the step-by-step guide. You will need the University of East London institution code, which is E28. Applicant Enquiries Tel: +44 (0)20 8223 3333 Email: study@uel.ac.uk
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Š University of East London, November 2013