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Product Design courses | What is it all about?
Product design focuses on the creation, manufacture, and usage of items in our daily lives. The courses in this field help students learn in-depth skills, such as solving complicated issues, exploring innovative solutions, and design skills, among other things.
Studying Product Design courses abroad provides an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with other markets and cultures. Besides, observing a different way of life will inspire you to be more creative and open up new doors for you. And who knows, you might become an intelligent, self-assured, and creative product designer!
If you want to enter the product design industry, check out some product design courses to begin your journey. Read on as we talk about these courses, top universities, and more!
Structure of Product Design course
Although product design courses (BSC programs) last at least three years, most universities or colleges will encourage their students to complete an additional year of work experience as part of their degree program. For example, in the United States, the product design course is a four-year bachelor’s degree program. The first two years are general education classes, and the next two years are devoted to product design.
Also, internships in the industry are a great opportunity to get real-world experience, try out new ideas, and improve the chances of getting a job. Those interested in advancing their studies might consider enrolling in a postgraduate program in product design. A master’s degree usually takes one or two years to complete, while a doctorate takes three to seven years.
Depending on the instructional staff’s expertise, each university provides a variety of core and optional courses. Most product design courses will cover the following topics-
- Design practice
- User-centered design
- Materials and processes for product designers
- Mechanical and electronic systems for product designers
- Prototyping of the design
- Research and design methods
- Computer modeling
- Sketching and wireframing
Product Design course- Subjects
The disciplines of product design courses vary depending on the capabilities available at each university. There are significant differences in subjects between the undergraduate and graduate levels of education. The training focuses mainly on topics ranging from design to communication skills. Besides, the themes are both practical and theoretical.
The following are the core courses covered in both UG and PG product design degrees-
Undergraduate degree subjects
- Elements of Design
- Foundation Drawing
- Basics of Digital Design
- Creativity Skills
- Creative Writing for Designers
- Business Communication and Presentation Skills
- Digital Illustration Techniques
- Physics for Designing
- Product Design (Projects)
- Studio Practice (Practicals)
Postgraduate degree subjects
- Elements of Design
- Digital Design
- 3D Design
- Mechanism Designing
- Digital Modeling and Animation
- Communication and Presentation Skills
- Manufacturing Processes
- Printmaking Techniques
- Technology Use in Product Design
Best Product Design courses – Undergraduate
Here are some of the best undergraduate courses along with Product Design course duration, university, program type, and fee.
Course | University | Program type | Course duration | Tuition fee (USD) |
Apparel Merchandising, Design and Production Management (Product Design and Production Management Option) – BSc | Auburn University, USA | Bachelor’s | 4 years | 32,220 |
Product Design – BSc (Hons) | London Metropolitan University, UK | Bachelor’s | 5 years | 18,643 |
Product Design (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons) | Teesside University, UK | Bachelor’s | 3 years | 18,363 |
Product Design (Foundation) – FD | Leeds Beckett University, UK | Undergraduate Pathway | 2 years | 15,591 |
Product Design – UGDip | RMIT University, Australia | Undergraduate Diploma | 2 years | 15,442 |
Industrial Product Design – BSc | Auburn University, USA | Bachelor’s | 3 years | 14,900 |
Product Design and Development – OCADip | Centennial College, Canada | Undergraduate Diploma | 2 years | 12,989 |
Interior and Product Design Comprehensive – BSc | The University of Nebraska at Kearney, USA | Bachelor’s | 4 years | 7,787 |
Best Product design courses- Graduate
Here are some of the best graduate courses along with Product Design course duration, university, program type, and fee.
Course | University | Program type | Course duration | Tuition fee (USD) |
Product Design – MProdDesign | University of Canterbury, New Zealand | Master’s | 3 years | 35,518 |
Product Design – MA | London Metropolitan University, UK | Master’s | 1 year | 17,657 |
Product Design – PhD | London Metropolitan University, UK | Doctorate | 1 year | 4,802 |
Careers in Product Design
Manufacturers, design firms, and engineering organizations are continually on the lookout for the next generation of brilliant designers who can spot market gaps and match customer demand.
Your creativity and inventiveness as a product design graduate will offer you a variety of intriguing job prospects, such as-
- Product Designer
- Design Engineer
- Computer-aided Design Technician
- Interior and Spatial Designer
- UX/UI Designer
- Product Manager
- Materials Engineer
- Purchasing Manager
- Advertising Art Director
- CAD Technician
- Graphic Designer
- Furniture Conservator/Restorer
- Production Designer (theater/television/film)
Key takeaways
- Product Designing is a booming field with plethora of job opportunities. By 2022, the total job growth rate for product designers is expected to be 4%.
- If you want to grow as a Product Designer, pursuing a course in this field can immensely help.
- There are a plethora of Product Design courses available, offered by various top universities. You can choose the course that aligns with your goals.
- After the course you can consider joining design competitions, reading journal papers to stay updated on current industry trends, and gaining as much relevant job experience as feasible.
- You’ll have the best chance of securing your desired career as a Product Designer if you build up your portfolio and network with industry leaders.
Now that you know about Product Design courses, go ahead and fill out those application forms. If you need any assistance in choosing the right course or university, drop a comment or reach out to us.
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FAQs
Q1. What skills do you need to be a Product Designer?
Answer- Product design necessitates methodical thinking. Thus, to be successful in this sector, you must possess strong cognitive abilities, inventiveness, rapid learning abilities, and technical abilities.
Q2. Which countries are the best for studying Product Design courses?
Answer- The best countries to study product design are the US, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Belgium, Canada, Australia, etc.
Q3. Is Math required for a Product Design course?
Answer- As product design is intimately linked to engineering and production, having a thorough understanding of Mathematics up to high school will aid in the final prototype of your concepts.
Q4. What is covered in a Product Design course?
Answer- Product design is the use of technology and design expertise in various product designing and manufacturing processes. It includes ideas such as 3D design, sketching, product manufacturing, digital designing, corporate communications, etc.