Function + creativity = product design

Product design is the umbrella term for the idea generation, concept development, design, testing and production of new products, as well as the redesigning and improvement of existing products for the industrial and conventional user market. The aesthetics, usability and ergonomics of the product are of utmost importance and the product designer will sometimes work alongside an engineer. Art and technology are used in combination to create a functional product.

Students who are interested in this field should possess certain necessary skills including a mastery of basic drawing skills (both observation and technical drawing skills). The student should also be familiar with the use of a personal computer and have an aptitude in graphic design and a penchant for the creative.

The course comprises training in the following:

• Drawing and creative skills: Three-dimensional perspective drawing, drawing for presentation, and design.
  
  
• Computer skills: Training in computer software to create two- and three-dimensional images, as well as photorealistic and technical representations.
  
  
• Physical production: Basic workshop skills (including safety), three-dimensional model building and three-dimensional computer modeling.
  
  
• Theory: Visual Culture, industrial design history, marketing (market research), branding, and research methodology.

Careers product design graduates could follow, include the following: furniture design and production; steel, glass and Perspex model production, and the building of sets for the film industry. Other options open to the product designer are the design and production of public information points, transportation systems, products for specialised industries, commercial and household products, and toys.

For more details, visit our open day on Saturday 15 August between 9:00 and 14:00.