Bachelor of Design (Product Design) - AUT University

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This degree offers a firm grounding in the fundamental skills leading to a career in the creative industries. It provides a number of pathways in six specialist fields (majors)

• Fashion
• Graphic Design
• Spatial Design
• Digital Design
• Product Design
• Textiles for Fashion

The programme runs for three years with increasing specialisation in each major. The Year One programme covers core studies in Design Studio and Theory, as well as a range of elective programmes that introduce the majors in textiles for fashion, graphic design, spatial design, digital design and product design.

Year Two builds on the conceptual bases of Year One with students following their major pathway. Students develop specific technical knowledge and skills in a context of understanding design processes and theories.

In Year Three students specialise further in their major, developing specific research based projects in a year of focused and intensive enquiry. The programme is structured to emphasise creative development in the early stages and then to bring this creativity into a more professional context as the programme continues.

Programme Code: AK3619
Level: 7
Points: 360
Duration: Three years full time
Venue: City Campus
Starting date: 3 March 2008
Application deadline: 12 September 2007

AUT encourages early application.
Late applications will be accepted if the programme is not full.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• University Entrance
• Portfolio of art work
• Interview may be required
  Note: Entrance to university does not guarantee admission to a specific programme of study.

SPECIAL ADMISSION

Applicants over 20 years of age who do not hold a university entrance qualification (such as NCEA or CIE above) may qualify for university entrance via Special Admission.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for whom English or Māori is not their first language are required to provide proof of an acceptable pass/grade gained in an accepted English language test. 

The Product Design major in the Bachelor of Design focuses on the design of innovative manufactured products for the benefit of people and society. The product design process is underpinned by the identification, exploration and resolution of design ideas arising from aesthetic, human, technological, and business opportunities. The programme offers a broad framework of conceptual and practical skills, and students will develop the ability to utilise these to create products that meet human needs, wants and desires. Key themes of the programme include conceptual and critical thinking, risk-taking, and the development of strong design ‘values’, which include inclusive design, ethics and environmental sustainability.

THE KEY SKILLS YOU WILL ACQUIRE

Students will develop the ability to apply critical and creative ‘design thinking’ to a range of product design situations and contexts. Students will also develop a range of specific design skills including research and analysis, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates will have developed a broad range of professional capabilities and will be well prepared to develop careers in an exciting range of design related professions. These include product design, (including electronic products, sports equipment, packaging and clothing), furniture design and computer aided design. Graduates may also transition to secondary school teacher training or postgraduate study.

PAPERS

Throughout the three years of study students undertake a range of papers that introduce and explore a breadth of conceptual, theoretical and applied approaches to product design. The programme centres around a product design studio paper in each semester. In each of the studio papers students will undertake a series of creative product design projects. In the final semester of studio students will undertake a self-directed major project that will engage with the design profession, industry and/or community groups.

YEAR ONE
115024 Creative Process 15 points
115100 Core Studio Art and Design 30 points
115101 Core Theory Art and Design 15 points
115162 Product Design Studio II 30 points
115163 Human-Centred Design I 15 points
115164 Technology 15 points
Total points for the year 120 points

YEAR TWO
116022 Product Design Studio III 30 points
116023 Product Design Theory and Context 15 points
116024 Computer Aided Design (CAD) 15 points
116025 Product Design Studio IV 30 points
116026 Production Technology 15 points
116200 Elective Project 15 points
Total points for the year 120 points

YEAR THREE
117214 Product Design Studio V 30 points
117215 Human-Centred Design II 15 points
117216 Business and Innovation 15 points
117217 Product Design Studio VI 45 points
117301 Professional Practice 15 points
Total points for the year 120 points

FURTHER STUDIES

At the end of the three year programme, students may opt for a fourth Bachelor of Art and Design (Honours) year. This involves a one year intensive postgraduate programme of specialisation in their chosen field. Students may also undertake postgraduate study in the two year Master of Art and Design.