Introduction
With links to the design industry, collaboration with agencies, placement opportunities, and support to launch business start-ups, this course aims to develop the product designers of the future.
Lincoln’s Product Design degree concentrates on the generation, delivery, and communication of ideas that challenge conventional thinking and open up new markets.
It aims to enable students to become skilled, creative designers, and shrewd product developers, with an understanding of target markets and consumer experiences, as well as an appreciation of how to design an object that will sell.
With strong ties to the design industry, collaboration with agencies, placement opportunities and support to launch a business, this course aims to prepare students for a career as a successful three-dimensional designer. From a theoretical perspective, students have the opportunity to study trends, brands, cultures, and ethics, as well as creative approaches to design.
How You Study
In the first year, students have the opportunity to develop their understanding of product design, based on technical skills acquisition – from nurturing an idea to following a client brief and producing prototypes in 3D form.
Design development practice continues in the second year, covering topics such as sensory design and visual language. At the end of this year, students may opt to complete a paid work placement year in the industry. Previous students have worked alongside agencies and companies such as Slam Design, Metsä Wood, EcoGlo, and Fizzco to produce concepts and designs that have commercial value – a number of which have gone into production. Those who choose to undertake a placement are required to cover their own travel, accommodation, and general living costs.
In the final year of the degree, students can complete independent projects alongside a dissertation on a design topic of their choice. They are also expected to exhibit work in an end-of-year show.
The programme has a vibrant and collegiate studio culture, where contact time can be in workshops, Mac and PC suites, practical sessions, seminars, or lectures and may vary from module to module and from academic year to year. Tutorial sessions and project supervision can take the form of one-to-one engagement or small group sessions. Some courses offer the opportunity to take part in external visits and fieldwork.
Contact Hours
Contact hours vary by course and can take many forms, including lectures, seminars, and workshops. A full-time undergraduate student should expect to undertake a minimum of 37 hours of study each week during term-time, supplementing contact hours with independent study. This is an important aspect of university-level education. As a general rule, you will be expected to spend two to three hours working independently for every hour in class.
Methods of Assessment
The way in which you will be assessed will depend on your chosen course. It may include coursework, written and practical exams, portfolio development, group work, or presentations. A full breakdown of current assessment methods can be found on the individual course pages of this website. The University of Lincoln’s policy is to ensure that staff return assessments to students promptly.
Modules
First Year
Contextual Studies 1 (Core)
Design Thinking (Core)
Digital Design (Core)
Drawing (Core)
Second Year
Contextual Studies 2 (Core)
Cultures (Core)
Sensory Design (Core)
Visual Language (Core)
Third Year
Contextual Studies 3 (Core)
Futures (Core)
Negotiated Project 1 (Core)
Negotiated Project 2 (Core)
How You Are Assessed
Students are assessed through an ongoing number of formative and summative presentations. These range from verbal, visual, and written and take advantage of a number of scenarios which develop an awareness of industrial practice; for example, students will present individually and in groups and also, at some point in their student experience, have an opportunity to pitch ideas to live project clients. This can form part of the assessment process, alongside more recognised academic submissions of course work. Product Design currently has no examinations.
In the first, second, and third years, assessment is 100% coursework.
The University of Lincoln’s policy is to ensure that staff return assessments to students promptly.
Scholarships
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.
"The University of Lincoln and the Product Design team hold a special place in my heart. The community was supportive and equipped me with the tools to start my design career."
Hannah Davis, BA (Hons) Product Design graduate
Course-Specific Additional Costs
Standard workshop induction costs are usually covered by the University, as are some initial printing and material costs. However, depending on the media/materials chosen by the student, there may be additional material and printing costs incurred.
Students on this course have the option to undertake external visits, which can range in cost from £300 to £1,000, dependant on the destination. Participation in these trips will have no impact upon your final award and savings and contribution plans are put in place for these.
Students are also invited to participate in an optional graduate exhibition event and to make a £200 (approx) contribution, which is financially supported by both the programme and by the Lincoln School of Design. Contributions help students to attend a graduate event with designers, employers, and manufacturers. The School and programme make a major contribution to the stand, production, prototyping, materials, and image costs.
Students are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and general living costs while undertaking work experience or an internship.
Entry Requirements 2021-22
United Kingdom
GCE Advanced Levels: BBC
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit
Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
International
Non-UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
Teaching and Learning During Covid-19
At Lincoln, Covid-19 has encouraged us to review our practices and, as a result, to take the opportunity to find new ways to enhance the student experience. We have made changes to our teaching and learning approach and to our campus, to ensure that students and staff can enjoy a safe and positive learning experience. We will continue to follow Government guidance and work closely with the local Public Health experts as the situation progresses, and adapt our teaching and learning accordingly to keep our campus as safe as possible.
Features
Industry Links
Students have the opportunity to work alongside leading specialists and companies to produce concepts and designs, which can have substantial value for our world. Some of our past student work has gone into production, providing a chance for students to appreciate the designer's role in business and commerce. We are involved with a number of partner companies who have ongoing internship and employment opportunities.
The programme has a vital role in providing creative design provision for the Lincoln School of Design's Technology Hub, which provides innovation, technology, and consultancy for external clients. Students are encouraged to get involved in these projects and showcase the approaches and techniques learnt from their studies.
Adobe Creative Cloud and Fusion 360 Software
All Product Design students currently have free access to Adobe Creative Cloud and Fusion 360 software for the duration of their studies.
Specialist Facilities
By instilling in our design students a thoughtful and critical approach to the way they think about design and apply their creative skills, we aim to prepare them to be leaders in the creative industries.
The University of Lincoln has a comprehensive range of facilities designed to provide a supportive environment for creative practitioners. Students have regular access to workshops, labs, studios, and industry-standard equipment, as well as highly knowledgeable technicians. This environment can help students to develop their knowledge and skills and complements our purpose-built design studios.
Lincoln School of Design students have a long history of winning and being shortlisted for international and national student design competitions, and the last few years have been no exception.
Portfolios
Applicants will be invited to submit a digital portfolio of work. The portfolio should include examples of your current art and design work including descriptions of the processes undertaken during your research, sketchbooks, idea generation, and development. Please carefully select and edit your work to produce an exciting, creative and representative portfolio that reflects your interests and abilities within art and design, including images of any 3D work produced. Around 15-20 samples in your main portfolio would be ideal.
Portfolio Tips
Label your work and order it in a logical way
Feel free to include anything that isn't quite finished or is work in progress, if you feel it shows your experimental and innovative development.
Please title your work with your full name and UCAS number
Student Success
Facemask of the Future Wins Product Design Competition Supported by Samsung
An up-and-coming designer from the University of Lincoln has produced an innovative new facemask to protect children from harmful pollution.
Owen Phillips, a final-year Product Design student, designed the pioneering new product as part of a project supported by Samsung KX and tech guru Jason Bradbury.
Owen’s mask – called 'Polligon' - is a highly efficient filtration mask designed specifically for children to protect them from harmful pollution on their walk to school. The mask is designed so that it can be reversed into a neckerchief to be worn throughout the day, it can also be customised by the user or their school to be incorporated into the school uniform.
Owen said: "With harmful pollution levels and the recent Coronavirus pandemic creating many challenges and increasing demand for respiratory protection, I think it is really important that solutions take into account the needs of different users, stakeholders and cultures to ensure they are feasible and can maximise impact now and in the future."
Mockup of a child wearing a facemask designed by Product Design student Owen Phillips
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities exist in design consultancies and agencies, as well as in-house design departments. Some of our most recent graduates have progressed to roles including Packaging and Trims Designer at Joules, Assistant Design Manager at Playscheme, Junior Designer at GES – Global Experience Specialists, Senior Furniture Designer at Next, Design Accounts Manager at The Future Factory, Designer at Dunelm, and 3D and RP Designer at Hotter Shoes.
Some become freelance designers, while others have established their own design consultancies, with the help of the University’s business incubation unit, Sparkhouse.
Graduate Joep Peters currently works as a 3D Generalist at Peek Creative Studios in the Netherlands. Since graduating he has worked on films including Pacific Rim Uprising, Assassins Creed, The Martian, Guardians of the Galaxy, Prometheus, and Superman: Man of Steel.
