COURSE CURRICULUM

This degree offers a comprehensive journey into sustainable product design, beginning in the first year with a strong foundation in creative and conceptual thinking. Students explore global issues, sustainable design principles, and develop skills in communication, sketching, model-making, and 3D CAD. Modules introduce environmental assessment tools like life cycle thinking and examine the ethics of design through human-centred projects. Practical work, such as wood-based prototyping, complements theoretical learning. In the second year, the focus shifts to inclusive and human-centred design, business acumen, and digital manufacturing. Students investigate how to reduce environmental impact while ensuring product viability and learn about intellectual property and design protection. Collaborative projects mimic real-world scenarios, encouraging teamwork and the development of soft skills like communication and leadership. Engagement with live briefs and industry partners deepens understanding of the circular economy. In the final year, students refine their design direction, guided by research and team discussions, and translate ideas into prototypes using digital tools. They develop their own design briefs, supported by research and contextual understanding, while preparing for professional life. With modules focused on career planning and the production of advanced design outcomes, the degree culminates in a final project that showcases the student’s skills and readiness for industry or further study.