Product Design

Product designers build today’s world and dream about the next, shaping our future by dissolving the boundaries between technology, creativity and imagination. Product design surrounds us all, from phones and smart devices to bicycles and safety equipment, product designers quietly create the human world around us through play and experimentation, exploring people’s needs, solving problems and discovering new opportunities for innovative solutions that reimagine the consumer experience of products and services.

On this course you will learn how to be a designer of products that respond to emergent issues across society and culture, developing a sustainable design philosophy in creating products which are sensitive to the relationships between people and the places we inhabit. You will develop essential skills in visualising your design ideas, use creative methods to apply design research, make prototypes, and understand the use of different design strategies in the creation of new products. You will discover how to design products that embrace both traditional and contemporary approaches to production and manufacturing through exploring the use of materials, processes, and technologies.

The course fosters an active studio culture of shared learning, where student diversity is celebrated in an inclusive open environment. Opportunities for industry placement and overseas study can be pursued before the final year of study, supporting a range of personal and professional ambitions to be explored.

Connection to the design industry is an essential element of the course, providing a real-world focus to learning and professional development. You will take part in studio projects with local external partners, engage in design competitions and work with international partners from around the globe, enabling you to develop the creative and professional skills required to support a sustainable career within the product design sector and beyond.

Features and benefits

• Globally recognised: We are ranked in the top 100 schools for art and design in the world (QS World Rankings 2026).

• Diverse workshop facilities: This course is supported by a comprehensive range of workshops for hand and machine making in wood, plastics, metal, ceramics and glass, plus digital making facilities for CNC routing, 3D printing and laser cutting.

• Expert-led learning: You will be taught by a range of academic and technical experts across the School of Art who are practicing designers, makers and artists.

• Industry network: You will work on regular industry-supported projects throughout the course, as well as have the chance to attend studio visits and talks by guest speakers from a range of design practices.

• Study trips: You'll have opportunities to undertake study trips to key design cities such as Berlin, Venice Architecture Biennale, Milan Design Week, Copenhagen or New York. Students have also participated in exchange visits to Australia, India and Europe.