BA (Hons) Design Product
This award is one of six BA (Hons) Design Pathways which are all part of the same scheme that has been created to parallel the multidisciplinary nature of contemporary design practice and the employment opportunities that have developed around emerging design disciplines.
Please note that you need only apply to one of the scheme’s Pathways, even if you have an interest in more than one, since it is possible to transfer between Pathways throughout the course. Your final award title will be agreed prior to graduation such that you graduate with the title most appropriate to your personal design practice.
Product designers have a leading role in shaping the world around us. The social responsibility of designers is therefore a key issue for design education. Product design is an integral part of the wider process of developing new products of every type. In most cases, this will be for volume production. As a vehicle for design education product design has a proven track record, requiring as it does the intellectual skill to identify and solve problems, research new technologies, conceptualise and evaluate ideas and make design decisions which will ultimately result in the manufacture of mass produced items. The role of a product designer combines, amongst other things, visual sensitivity with functionality, technology, ergonomics, user interaction, sustainability and human factors.
The aim of this pathway is not to create design engineers but designers sensitive to the human condition able to communicate with the manufacturing industry; designers who have a sound understanding of materials, processes, CAD software, manufacturing methods and engineering principals and who can apply these to today’s society.
The BA Design course scheme has a notable track record of student projects concerned with the issues of Product Design. Recent projects have covered lighting, mobility aids, safety equipment, domestic appliances, luggage, transport, toys, consumer goods, personal security, recycling and sustainable products.
The broad nature of the course, coupled with key design skills and methodologies has led to graduates progressing in high-grade employment within a wide range of design led industries, from independent design consultancies to large in-house multi disciplinary creative teams.
Studying alongside students on the scheme’s other Pathways, the course introduces you to design principles and approaches fostering an investigative and experimental approach to resolving design briefs through creativity, an awareness of human needs, and the generation of new insights and ideas. We encourage reflection, flexibility and the independence to take increasing responsibility for focus of work, leading to self-initiated projects by the end of the course.
You have the opportunity to tackle ‘live’ briefs working with industrial partners and design consultancies, to study abroad as part of our exchange programme, and enter design competitions. Practical skills covered include applied textiles, graphic communication, multimedia design, ergonomics, copywriting and video, workshop experimentation and virtual modelling. An integrated programme of critical and contextual studies underpins the practice-based elements of the course. Through this you will gain knowledge of historical and contemporary design issues, engage with critical debate and develop research skills that enable you to rationalise, justify, promote and better develop design ideas.
The course has an optional fourth Masters year with exit points after one or three semesters offering Postgraduate certificate in design and Masters in Design respectively. This year includes a work placement and the potential for exploring the commercial potential for design projects.
There are various opportunities to visit Leeds Metropolitan University on Open Days which are held throughout the year. This is an opportunity to meet representatives from the course and see facilities. Click here to find the next open day.
Applicants who are invited for interview will meet staff and students at interview and have a guided tour of course specific facilities and studio space.
For further information contact our course administrator on 0113 812 3193 or or S.M.Ratcliffe@leedsmet.ac.uk
The general public can also see examples of student work by visiting the degree exhibition in Leeds, part of the University’s Arts Festival, and at the annual New Designers exhibition in London.