In the School of Engineering and Applied Science we aim to develop a new generation of creative product designers with knowledge, skills and ideas that will be valued by all sectors of design, development, production and business. This aim is achieved by providing project driven degree programmes that include creative thinking and design visualisation, in parallel with studies in engineering science, materials and manufacturing and the management of innovation.
All our first year programmes girve you a grounding in the principles of Product Design together with flexibility to change streams at the end of the first year to reflect your own design interests.
In the second and final year you will experience a common core of six design modules to support your specialist stream of four subject specific modules. In addition you will develop design projects that integrate your design specialism with the core aspects of Product Design.
Our design courses are stimulating, relevant, challenging and rewarding. We aim to provide you with the knowledge of materials, production processes and technology as well as skills in aesthetics, ergonomics and management that will enable you to develop a successful career in design. These aims include:
- developing your understanding of the significance of design to the profitability of business, commerce and the economy as a whole
- continual development of relevant skills including presentation, ICT and team working which are sought after by employers
- expanding your knowledge, confidence, professional values and attitudes essential for a successful career in Product Design
Year 1
Modules
- Basic Mathematics
- IT & Communications Skills
- Materials & Processes
- Engineering Practice
- Introduction to CAD
- Industrial Design
- Design Project (General)
- Design Project (Special)
- Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals
- Sustainable Process Technology
- Introduction to Business Management
Year 2
Modules
- Industrial Design 2
- Product Modelling
- Quality Engineering 0
- CAD 2
- Design for Manufacture
- Design Project (2 modules)
- Ergonomics
IPD specific modules
- Aesthetics
- Engineering Materials
- Innovation Management
- Professional Skills
Year 3 - Optional placement year
See placement year section or find out more about the Aston placement year.
Final Year
Modules
- Individual Main Project (4 modules)
- Design Failure Analysis
- New Product Proposal
- Industrial Design 3 (2 modules)
- Market Analysis
- Environmental Management and Audit
Plus one option from:
- Project Management 2
- Design & Engineering Competition
- Design Project (Sustainability)
Our programmes are application-led through a provision of core case studies and projects, the majority of which are team-based and simulate the actual work of product development. You will also undertake individual projects throughout your studies, which will enable you to create a balance between group and individual work. Each year you will also carry out ‘live’ design projects with industrial partners.
To ensure you gain a thorough understanding of fundamental engineering principles as well as practical skills, the programme encompasses relevant analytical material, which is provided through lectures, tutorials, labs and directed study. The programme is supported by additional lectures and seminars provided by specialists from industry. Assessment is by a combination of continuous assessment, case studies, design projects and written exams.
This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).
Career opportunities exist for our graduates in design, general management and consultancy, technology, engineering and education (e.g. teaching), areas where Aston graduates have been successful over many years. Our students are able to demonstrate creative design skills alongside sound technical knowledge and experience, a balance which employers consider to be an advantage.
Recent graduate destinations include design or technical roles for companies such as Laing, Goodrich, Husio International, The Eden Project, J Engineering, SMK, The Marketing Company, Sainsbury’s, TNA Europe, Hives, Rolls Royce and Calsonic Kansei.
Recent graduate roles include:
- Design engineers
- CAD specialists
- Management trainees
- Further study in Industrial Design
- General management, education and administration
You will have access to state-of-the-art computing facilities, including CAD (Computer Aided Design) labs loaded with some of the latest CAD software, design studios and PCs for word-processing and self tuition. You will develop your computing skills and use computers to help solve design problems. We provide extensive laboratories to demonstrate engineering and manufacturing principles as well as dedicated design studios and modelmaking labs for project work.
Chris Evans
Programme Director Product Design
BA Industrial Design
Chris Evans has been a design educationalist since 1989. His strong
interest in Industrial Design education is underpinned by 20 years of
professional work designing and managing within leading manufacturing
organisations. These include Mettoy Ltd (Corgi: die-cast toys); Ogle
Design Consultancy (toys, consumer electronics, transport systems);
Prestige plc (kitchen cookware); Crown House Tableware (glass,
ceramics) and Hasbro Europe (toys). Although Arts School trained, Chris
believes that design students must combine their creativity skills and
innovative flair with appropriate engineering and technological
knowledge plus have an effective understanding of markets and the real
user requirements.
Professor Geoff Tansley
PhD CEng FIMechE
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Prof Tansley
developed his engineering modelling skills through industrial
consulting, research projects in universities, and as Chief Mechanical
Engineer in an Australian Medical device company where he led modelling
and manufacture of an artificial heart.
Prof Tansley has expertise is in computational fluid dynamics of
blood flow and in the design and development of implantable medical
devices; his current research projects include an aortic balloon pump,
a rotary blood pump and blood cell dynamics in Couette flow.
Dr Philip Davies
DPhil
Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering
Philip
Davies is a member of the Sustainable Environment Research Group. His
main research activities are in developing renewable and efficient
energy systems and in the treatment of water for drinking and
sanitation. Philip has held appointments at the University of Oxford,
the Universidad Politécnica in Madrid, the University of Warwick, and
in manufacturing and consulting companies. He holds a B.Sc in
Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London, and D.Phil from
the University of Oxford.
Dr. Mark Prince
PhD
Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering
Mark is a
former Aston graduate with experience in mechanical design and
analysis. His research interests are in ophthalmic and medical device
development and he has experience in designing microsystems for
biological structure interfacing, and exploiting vision technologies.
Mark has expertise in 3D computer solid modelling, rapid prototyping
and rapid manufacture, computer aided engineering,
electronic/mechatronic design, and optical and contact microscopy and
imaging techniques.
EAS Undergraduate
Admissions Office
+44 (0)121 204 3400
engineering@aston.ac.uk
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