How will I learn on this Product Design course?

Our exciting curriculum is responsive to current industrial design practices through our collaboration with partners in both research and global industry. It promotes a learning environment that supports creative approaches to research, iterative practice-based activities, and the use of new and emerging technologies.

Our adaptable studio spaces provide a learning environment conducive to both independent and collaborative work, helping you to take ownership of your individual learning experience.

Predominant use of project and portfolio based assessment, supplemented with scheduled tutor-led studio sessions, allows multiple opportunities to receive feedback on both an informal and formal basis

Who will teach me during my Product Design degree?

Our staff team can offer you a holistic academic support system due to their wealth of experience in teaching and working in global industry. They are also active researchers in areas such as ‘Responsible Innovation Practice’, ‘Design History’ and ‘Pitching Design Concepts’. Their expertise ensures currency in the quality of the teaching you will receive.

Thanks to our unique alumni network, your learning experience is further enhanced by visiting lectures and one-to-one sessions with world-leading industrial designers. In recent years this has included:

• Sir Jonathan Ive, Apple
• Rob Law MBE, Trunki
• Richard Stevens, British Airway’s Creative Director and co-founder of Forpeople
• Gavin Proctor, Director of Philips Lifestyle Design Innovation
• Kevin McCullagh, founder of Plan Strategic
• David Brisbourne, Jaguar and Land Rover Lifestyle Products Manager

Where will I study during my time at Northumbria?

The technical facilities at Northumbria University are excellent. Our industry-standard studios and workshops support a culture of intellectual freedom, and the development of a creative community of practice.

You’ll have access to timber and metal workshops, a fully equipped photographic studio, a specialist CAD laboratory, CNC machinery and 3D printing for rapid prototyping. There are also several mobile laboratories that deliver IT facilities for creative working. All workshops are supervised by skilled technical staff who will help you make the best use of the facilities available.

Your learning is also enhanced by the eLearning Portal (Blackboard); an online software package that organises your module assignments, supportive learning materials, electronic reading lists and when appropriate, electronic submissions and feedback on your work.

How is research applied to the teaching on this course?

Our Product Design staff team are entrepreneurial, research active and in some cases, still working in industry part-time. This ensures that our students have a truly inspiring experience, driven by current research and relevant up-to-date knowledge.

You will also undertake your own research activity, learning how to use and adapt methods employed by leading design consultancies; many of which our staff have worked for.

By the final year, you will have adopted your own design philosophy and be fully prepared to carve your own unique career in this exciting field.

How does this course set me up for my future career?

After completing your four years of study, you will have developed your intellectual and practical skills in preparation for employment or further study. You will be able to employ the full range of communication skills at a designer’s disposal (such as sketching, model making, CAD work) towards the research, exploration and execution of a design project.

The course culminates at the annual New Designers exhibition in London, where our graduates are given the opportunity to make contact with industry and celebrate the outcomes of their final major projects on a public platform.

Some of our recent graduates have secured jobs in many London based agencies, such as ForPeople, DCA and Native. They always make an appearance at New Designers, scouting for new talent and often inviting newly graduating students to interview.

Real-world industrial experience lies at the heart of our course, as we believe that it is key to building the knowledge and skills for a successful career in design.

You have the opportunity to apply for a professional placement in your second and third years of study. Placement experience gives you a competitive edge as it can considerably develop your skill set and is highly sought by graduate employers. Many students acquire placements with global brands and leading designers/design consultancies such as: Grohe AG, Mars, Tom Dixon, Unilever, The Alloy, Black + Blum, Forpeople, Native, Seymourpowell, Tin Horse and Plan. Therefore, we believe this ‘real-world’ experience is invaluable.

You also have the opportunity to study abroad with a partner institution on our exchange programme, helping you to gain a more global perspective on design. Recent exchange destinations include Australia, Taiwan and South Korea.