MSc Integrated Product Design

About the Course

The MSc in Integrated Product Design aims to meet industrial demand by integrating technology, management, aesthetics, environmental sustainability, ergonomics, marketing, business and design methods to produce highly qualified and sought after designers able to cope with the challenges the global economy presents.

See what our students say about this course.

Aims

The primary aim of this programme is to provide students with the practical knowledge and transferable skills required to be at the forefront of global product and services design research and development, in either an industrial or academic environment.

Graduates of this MSc will also have the independent learning ability required for both continual professional development and the acquisition of new skills at the highest level.

Specifically, the course aims to: 

• provide an integrated programme of study across a broad range of knowledge and skills in product/industrial design;
• develop design and technology research skills related to the design process through practicing applied research;
• develop advanced design skills, enabling graduates to practice as an independent design professional and to further develop design and professional skills in product/industrial design engineering;
• nurture scientific rigour as well as creativity to enable graduates to follow a successful career in product/industrial design and assume leadership roles in national and international companies and institutions.

Enquiries

Marketing and Recruitment Office
School of Engineering and Design
Brunel University
Email sed-pg-admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265814

Programme Director: Mr Stephen Green 

Special Features

High league table standing: Our courses are among the highest-ranking for Product and Industrial Design in the UK. In all the most recent University guides, as well as in the National Student Survey, Brunel Design is placed in the top four out of all UK Art and Design courses

High employability: Design graduates enjoy excellent career prospects – see student graduate articles

Accreditation: This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED)

Accreditation

Integrated Product Design is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).

Course Content

This course focuses on the design of innovative products, emphasising the balance between the interest of users, industry and society. It covers the whole design process, integrating all aspects relevant to product development, in particular global new product design.

The course provides an integrated approach and promotes advanced studies in design theory, creativity and aesthetics, innovation methods, advanced design techniques, human factors and applied ergonomics, engineering, material and production science, sustainability and research methods.

The first term includes three taught modules worth a total of 45 credits plus one double module of 30 credits which continues into the second term alongside three further modules. The thick module, Professional Design Studio, will include guest lectures, research seminars and group or individual project. The projects can be based on design research or product/industrial design.

The ‘Design Futures’ module will introduce the importance and potential value of future foresight techniques and develop a vision of the future and critically evaluate its implications for design, innovation and enabling technology.

The ‘Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing Techniques’ module will introduce CAD and graphics based design modelling, rendering techniques and tools, product design simulation techniques and tools, rapid prototyping and manufacturing techniques.

For the final four months of the programme (June to September), students can either continue their projects to greater depth as their dissertation project, or undertake a new subject. Students are encouraged to form industrial links as part of this project.

Taught Modules

Sustainable Design

• Key environment and socio-economic issues and relationships to sustainability
• The Life Cycle Assessment method and design practice with awareness of its strengths and weaknesses
• The tools of LCA and streamlined LCA to highlight critical environmental issues for development in a particular product
• Different views on environmental issues and practices
• Case studies to differentiate environmental problems, issues and possible solutions

Design Creativity and Aesthetic Awareness

• Creative thinking theory and practice in design process
• Applying higher level creativity within a range of scenarios
• Aesthetic awareness within historical, semantic and contextual references
• The ability to incorporate and reflect on aesthetic content within design scenarios which drawing on a wide range informed and creative references
• Strategic Design Management and Research
• Understanding and critical awareness of design management and research principles within contemporary multidisciplinary practice
• Definitions of design, design management, branding, strategy, innovation, design research, technology and creativity
• Managing design and design research to improve organisational performance
• Relationships between design of products and services, the needs of the market place and the implications of consumer influences
• Qualitative and quantitative design management and research tools for formulating strategies, plans and implementation within new product or service development

Cognitive Ergonomics in Design

• The relevance of the paradigm of applied cognitive psychology to human-centred design
• The key models of human performance and theories of cognition, and their relevance in design
• The systems model of performance and its implications for complex socio-technological systems
• Specific ergonomic theories to specific design contexts
• The human factors implications of a product or system design
• Concepts of product and system design with respect to cognitive ergonomics

Professional Design Studio

• Socio-cultural, economic, technological and environmental factors
• Design research and process developments
• The role and management of design within organisations
• Design responses: high quality design deliverables as part of a response to a design issue

Design and Innovation Futures

• Futures forecasting and forecasting techniques
• Influences of global and national economy; organisational change issues
• Social and ethical issues
• Influence of technology, marketing and branding; innovation drivers
• Key design research findings

Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing Techniques

• The technical challenges in the context of global product design and development
• Current computer aided design and manufacturing techniques in integrated product design
• Creative and virtual design theories, methods and techniques
• Applications of 2D/3D design modelling, rendering, analysis, simulation and prototyping, digital manufacturing
• Digital human modelling in design
• Integration of a range of CAD/CAM/CAE tools into design project

Dissertation Project

• Identify one or more critical issues suitable for in-depth research in the context of current needs and/or concerns of integrated product design
• Show evidence of initiative and creative thinking in both the methods employed and the critical evaluation of the key issues identified
• Critically reflect on the learning in the taught modules and the application of conceptual and practical tools during the design research project
• Work independently to a high standard in investigating and addressing complex issues and self-manage their study programme effectively

Assessment

Work in each module is predominantly assessed through practical project assignments including both individual and group work. The Dissertation makes up a third of the overall degree. The dissertation work may include a substantial practical design element, but in all cases will be assessed through a final 20,000 word submission.

Careers

Graduates can expect to be employed in a wide range of companies, including design consultancies, research and development departments, research institutions and government bodies. Specific careers might include senior positions in design organisations acting as a design team leader, design project manager, design researcher and design policy maker.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £5,800 full-time

International students: £15,000 full-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements

A UK first or second class Honours degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification usually design; engineering; or a related discipline. Other qualifications and relevant experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.