University of Technology Sydney

C10304v3 Bachelor of Design in Product Design

Award(s): Bachelor of Design in Product Design (BDesign)
UAC code: 602050 (Autumn session, Spring session, Spring session)
CRICOS code: 077331M
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 144
Course EFTSL: 3
Location: City campus

Notes

This course version is for students commencing in 2020 and onwards.


Overview
Course aims
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Applications
Assumed knowledge
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Honours
Other information

Overview

The Bachelor of Design in Product Design prepares students for a career in the global product design industry. Students learn how to tackle complex problem solving, explore creative solutions, and develop realistic outcomes that could make a mark on the world.

UTS believes a hands-on approach is fundamental for every aspiring designer. As such, the student's starting point is the individual design and making of an object. Throughout their studies students learn how to design, prototype and test design solutions, drawing on cutting-edge technologies and approaches, such as UX (user experience), wearables and electronics and gain hands-on experience in the faculty's digital and fabrication workshops.

Alongside a strong technical base, the degree applies the creative problem-solving required to design experiences that make a difference to everyday life, whether in developing economies or digital cultures. Central to this approach is an understanding of the relationships between objects, culture, economy, technology, business and human behaviour.

Course aims

This integrated approach to education prepares graduates to work in related professions both locally and internationally. Alongside the core subjects, students can take electives that help develop a specialisation, such as marketing, graphics, designer-makers, 3D printing and construction robotics, exhibition design, web design or service design. Students can also pursue further study in specialised fields like vehicle design and clinical design.

Career options

Career options include design for all aspects of life, from the everyday to the critical, including commercial product, sports technology, health, future transport, packaging, exhibition design, service design and humanitarian work. Product designers can work for individual manufacturers or specialist design consultancies, or start their own enterprises.

Course intended learning outcomes

A.1 Demonstrated engagement with ideas and learning
A.2 Commitment to ethical practices
A.3 Value for alternative points of view
A.4 Value for richly diverse and sustainable human cultures and environmental ecologies
C.1 Effective written and oral communication skills
C.2 Effective visual communication skills
C.3 Effective tangible 3D representation
C.4 Ability to work in teams and in multi-disciplinary contexts
I.1 Demonstrated ability for problem setting and problem solving
I.2 Demonstration of versatility, curiosity and imagination
I.3 Demonstration of aesthetic sensibility
I.4 Ability to propose, develop and rethink ideas
P.1 Industry specific practical and digital skills
P.2 Accuracy, rigour and care
P.3 Ability to self-manage, including task initiation, allocation of time and realisation of outcomes
P.4 Understanding of the global context of established and emergent industry practices
R.1 Identify and execute research methods appropriate to the project
R.2 Analyse complex contexts for design
R.3 Develop reasoned arguments supported by research
R.4 Reflective critical analysis

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building may consider applications based on the results of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) if students lack academic qualifications but have extensive professional experience. The STAT is conducted through the Universities Admissions Centre.

Students must refer to the inherent requirements for all degrees offered by Design and Architecture in the Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building.

Non-current school leavers are selected on the basis of academic merit or on the basis of portfolio and interview rank.

Students must refer to the portfolio eligibility for the faculty’s consideration in order to get a place.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Applications

International students

International students (excluding those studying in an Australian high school) must submit an application to UTS International (in person, by mail or online) or through an accredited UTS representative.

International students with an ATAR up to five points below the minimum cut-off must submit the following material:

  • a six-page digital portfolio in PDF format (landscape) of their work; this may include images, animation or video (max. size 5MB)
  • one of the pages must be a 150–200-word written submission that selects and identifies one of the submitted pieces of work, and addresses the aim of the work and why it succeeded (to enable this PDF to be easily viewed, text must be supplied in 16-point Helvetica font, with 1.5 line spacing).

The faculty reserves the right to request a portfolio from applicants.

Assumed knowledge

Any two units of English.

Design and Technology, Visual Arts are recommended.

Course duration and attendance

This course is offered on a three-year, full-time basis.

Course structure

Students must complete 144 credit points made up of 120 credit points of core subjects and 24 credit points comprising a sub-major or electives.

Course completion requirements

STM91425 Core Subjects (Product Design) 108cp
STM91424 Design Studies 24cp
CBK91878 Electives 12cp
Total 144cp

Course diagram

Course diagram: C10304

Course program

A typical program is shown below.

Autumn commencing, full time
Year 1
Autumn session
84610 Inside Design   6cp
84111 Understanding Three-dimensional Form   6cp
84116 Product Design Communication A   6cp
85502 Researching Design Histories   6cp
Spring session
84611 Integrated Product Design   6cp
84117 Product Design Communication B   6cp
84118 Informing Product Design   6cp
85503 Thinking Through Design   6cp
Year 2
Autumn session
84712 Product Engineering   12cp
84909 Product Design and Sustainability   6cp
Select 6 credit points of options   6cp
Spring session
84910 Analogue and Digital UX   6cp
84711 User-centred Design   12cp
85202 Design Futuring   6cp
Year 3
Autumn session
84811 Smart Design   12cp
84911 Advanced Manufacturing Technology   6cp
85302 Social Media Cultures   6cp
Spring session
84813 Product Design Professional Communication   6cp
Select 6 credit points of options   6cp
84812 Product Design Major Studio   12cp
Spring commencing, full time
Year 1
Spring session
85502 Researching Design Histories   6cp
85503 Thinking Through Design   6cp
Select 12 credit points of options   12cp
Year 2
Autumn session
84610 Inside Design   6cp
84111 Understanding Three-dimensional Form   6cp
84116 Product Design Communication A   6cp
Spring session
84611 Integrated Product Design   6cp
84117 Product Design Communication B   6cp
84118 Informing Product Design   6cp
Year 3
Autumn session
84712 Product Engineering   12cp
84909 Product Design and Sustainability   6cp
Spring session
84910 Analogue and Digital UX   6cp
84711 User-centred Design   12cp
85202 Design Futuring   6cp
Year 4
Autumn session
84811 Smart Design   12cp
84911 Advanced Manufacturing Technology   6cp
85302 Social Media Cultures   6cp
Spring session
84813 Product Design Professional Communication   6cp
84812 Product Design Major Studio   12cp

Honours

The Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Product Design (C09059) is available to meritorious students with an additional one year of full-time study.

Other information

Further information is available from the UTS Student Centre on:

telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS
UTS: Design, Architecture and Building