Product Design MA

About the course

Through a programme of advanced scholarship, your will gain new insights in the field of product design theory and practice. The curriculum is focused on developing an enhanced understanding of advanced design practice, design and research methodologies plus knowledge of business, marketing, entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Supported by expert academics and design practitioners, you will broaden and deepen your understanding of design through elective and core module choices creating a personal and distinct programme of study that is focused on your individual interests and ambitions. These studies culminate in the final term where you undertake a comprehensive project within your own specialised area of product design.

• A creative and practice-based course
• Strategic business and entrepreneurial focus
• Multidisciplinary international graduate community
• Pathway to PhD level study

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Key facts

UKPASS code: W24071

Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time

Location: Fletcher Building

Start date: September 2013

Entry and admission criteria

• You should have the equivalent of a 2:2 or above UK Bachelor’s Honours degree in product Design or a related subject
• If you have other professional qualifications and industry experience we will consider your application on an individual basis. Evidence of design work in a digital/portfolio of work is also required

Portfolio

UK applicants with relevant qualifications should submit a portfolio of work.

Overseas applicants will be invited to send samples of their work. For further details check our School of Design portfolio advice| for international students.

International students

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English Language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

Teaching and assessment

Full-time study entails a commitment of about 40 hours per week over 48 weeks of the year, and the part-time route a corresponding proportion of time. Modules in the first two semesters are taught through seminars, lectures, team-working and design workshops, with modules in the last semester being supported by tutorial guidance. You will undertake independent research, analysis, design development and writing up of your projects, supported by individual tutorials.

Course modules

First semester

• Research Methodology (15 credits) enables you to develop a range of conceptual and practical research skills, such as questionnaire design and interview techniques, as well as undertaking the literature review for your major project. As a key part of this module, you will formulate a major project proposal which specifies aims, objectives, research methods and expected outcomes
• Strategic Design for Competitive Advantage (15 credits) – Within the framework of sustainability, you will examine the processes, aesthetic, function, and technology of design in this practical module. Through the analysis of globally recognised products from a resource efficient perspective, you will review the communication of aesthetics, images, styles and forms
• Creative Design Studio (30 credits) provides an introduction to the nature of the design process as well as the opportunity to work on live design briefs as part of a multidisciplinary team. Project management, design method theories, concept development, prototyping techniques, design testing, user-centred/inclusive design, ethical and environmental design issues and advances in technology are covered

Second semester

• Action Research Laboratory

(30 credits) enables you to develop your major project design work and explore creative and innovative design and research methods.

You will produce a specification report (based on primary research) and a portfolio of investigative design development work that shows an individual creative response

Optional modules:

• Design as a Strategic Business Tool (15 credits) — Design is a driver for the strategic management and development of high technology and creative businesses and this module considers its application. You will examine the use of design and design thinking as tools to influence organisational change and management in business. You will also explore the role of design in innovating new products, services and business methodologies
• Sustainable Design (15 credits) covers sustainability as a core aspect of design thinking and as a driver of innovation, within corporate strategy and as a management practice. You will examine the environmental impact of all stages of the product life cycle while developing a sustainable design strategy for your major project
• Service Design (15 credits) provides valuable insights in the role of design in the rapidly growing area of service industries. Responding to ethical, political, social and ecological concerns require approaches that centre on design and the designer’s key role in sustainability issues. As an outcome of this process, you will develop a service design toolkit for the intended service users

Third semester

• Product Design Major Project (60 credit) provides a vehicle for designers to develop, through to prototype stage, a fully resolved design solution. You will be expected to engage within the full design process applying methodologies from modules in the first two semesters. Your project is likely to address key challenges that our societies face, whilst allow you to demonstrate your design ‘skill set’ and individual approach

Academic expertise

Academic staff teaching on the course have a wide variety of expertise and knowledge in many different areas, including design management, innovation management, creativity management, enterprise, technology transfer, multimedia design, web design, new product development, design history, retail design and resource efficient design.

The course is based in excellent and well-equipped accommodation. Group work and tutorials take place within a dedicated centre, enabling you to benefit from strong group cohesiveness and a vibrant multidisciplinary graduate community. IT facilities include Mac, PC, CAD, graphics and multimedia labs, with software for drawing, multimedia, painting/DTP, 3D modelling, animation and video.

Superb workshops offer facilities for the manipulation of soft materials for model-making as well as wood, metal and plastics for prototyping. Access to a specialist new product development centre has recently been made available.

Industry links and professional accreditation

A large proportion of our lecturers are active practitioners and specialists in their field, including for example, working as architects, choreographers, composers, interior designers, journalists, new product developers, public relations consultants.

This ensures that you will learn real world skills that are in touch with the commercial sector, the latest technologies and current thinking.

Our creative staff also work as authors, composers, performers, freelance designers, practising fine artists and photographers who exhibit or perform internationally.

Other lecturers are involved in world class research and consultancy which enhances the quality of our teaching. Current projects range from digital media and holography to textile materials, fine art sculpture and the built environment, film and Hollywood to Women's TV History.

Our expertise in innovation has led us to advise regional businesses on developing new products. We are currently leading an initiative in resource efficient design for the retail supply chain. We also conduct consultancy and training for a number of clients including George at Asda, Oxford Instruments and Halfords and our major expertise in knowledge transfer and exchange offers benefits to a range of industrial partners.

Other members of our staff have connections with media organisations such as Amanda Blue independent award winning television producer 'Prescott the Class System and Me', 'World's Oldest Mother', Supernanny, 'Big School lottery' 'Young Black Farmers'

We also have partnerships and collaborations with the city's creative and cultural centres. These include Phoenix Square, The Curve Theatre and Leicester Comedy Festival

De Montfort University is highly rated by employers and offers excellent links with industry, the creative and cultural world, and the professions.

Graduate careers

A wide range of options are available, with graduates typically going on to careers as design consultants, in-house designers, and freelance designers, working for well-known companies such as Dyson, Audi, Hotpoint, Swatch and Adidas. Others work in exhibition design, point of sale, model making, the media, marketing and design management, teaching and postgraduate research.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding options for 2013/14 entry are still under review and are subject to change.

Full-time UK/EU Postgraduate courses fees £4,200 Students Equivalent or Lower Qualification Status* £5,000 International
Postgraduate courses fees £11,700 Part-time Part-time fees are charged on a credit basis, you will need to complete 180 credits over the course of an MA/MSc programme. 15 credits £350 Students Equivalent or Lower Qualification Status* 15 credits
£420 Continuation UK/EU Fee** £150 Continuation International Fee** £5000

For more information please take a look at our Funding|| section.

* ELQ Student definition - If you are a Home or EU status student and you already have a qualification at or above the level of the programme you wish to study from any country you will be considered as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) student. In 2008 the UK Government decided to stop funding universities for student in this situation and therefore the following fees will apply £5,000. Students from outside the EU are not affected by the policy.

** A fee that is charged on a periodic basis where Postgraduate or Research students need to extend their registration to complete the course.

Scholarships

Learn more about postgraduate funding and finance|

Facilities

Learn about our Design and Product Development Centre and the Retail Lab