DE4027 - Product Design 101

In this module, you will ‘learn by doing’. Engaging in the product design process hands-on giving you the opportunity to understand and appreciate the design process necessary from taking artefacts and brief(s) from initial concept generation through to prototype mock-ups. It will give you the opportunity to explore materials and methods of manufacture, simulating or creating parts for assembly. 3-dimensional CAD workshop-based demonstrations will complement the studio sessions enabling you to develop subject-specific knowledge that you can employ throughout your design projects.



Formative assessments based on project work will provide the basis for feedback and development throughout the module. You will be encouraged to reflect on your own development, helping you to become aware of how the skills and knowledge you have gained can be further refined and applied to subsequent product design projects. 



The studio-based learning environment provides a lively, creative and collaborative environment with the opportunity to gauge your own progress, learn from each-others’ strengths and build friendship groups. Tutors will both guide your design progress and encourage you to interact with your peers in sessions – sometimes to work in teams and always to support each other and give positive and helpful feedback. You will be encouraged to think critically, experiment with new ideas throughout the module and collaborate with peers to develop innovative proposals to your brief.

Each project will begin with a comprehensive briefing that will outline and clarify the design project along with the expected learning outcomes, the module and project requirements / deliverables and a detailed schedule. Where a collaborative or live project is involved, professionals from the external partner will work with your module tutors to agree a suitable project and any additional support they can offer. This may include in-person briefings, feedback and guidance throughout the project, site visits, access to proprietary research and specialist equipment.



You will have regular weekly studio sessions to structure your learning experience. In these, you may participate in group discussions to receive guidance and feedback from your peers and tutors. Tutors are aligned to each module that relates closely to their own design expertise and experience providing specialist support, whether that is through prior professional experience, through ongoing industrial collaborations or through current research work undertaken within the University.



During core working hours for the Design School but outside your timetabled sessions and project dependent, you will have access to a wide range of technician-supported workshop environments. Project and solution driven, these will support all your making requirements including specialist model making materials, laser-cutting, 3D printing, creating sewn soft-products, sensors and electronics, photography and videography. CAD workstations and industry-standard digital modelling software are accessible on campus 24/7 in certain buildings.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

Demonstrate knowledge through the safe operation of machinery, hand tools, production processes or software applications.



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Record and annotate design research and development through sketchbooks or other prescribed documentation formats.



Learn and apply new methods and complementary skills to extend design practice.



Personal Values Attributes

(Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

Demonstrate making skills through the appropriate use of materials, processes and technologies.



Cooperate effectively with others to help discuss, deliver or present individual and/or joint project artefacts or outputs.

You will be regularly assessed formatively and informally, using verbal feedback during timetabled sessions and at key stages of the design development process. Students may be asked to present their work verbally to an audience of peers, tutors and stakeholders to receive feedback and guidance. 

 

Summative assessment for the module will be against one or more product design assignments over the course of the module submitted at the end of block 2. For each assignment, students will be assessed against the module outcomes and criteria set out in the brief. The combined marks for the project(s) will form 100% of the overall mark.

 

Feedback is written and delivered via tutorial review and via eLearning portal (eLP) after the submission at the end of each block (module).

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This module will introduce you to the professional design process required for product designers to effectively develop, produce and communicate 3-dimensional artefacts and solutions. You will be guided through the design process in a very ‘hands-on’ studio and workshop approach, learning by doing. This module will offer you the opportunity to explore materials and methods of manufacture, realising your designs as physical prototypes or mock-ups, enabling you to develop and apply your product design process knowledge throughout your projects.