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, conscientious, creative designers, and shrewd product developers, with an understanding of target markets and consumer experiences. Above all, we aim to develop curious graduates who are confident practitioners prepared for a life in the industry.
Our teaching aims to nurture students to develop essential skills for discovering insightful research, designing, making, testing, and experimenting. This involves activities such as using design thinking to quickly generate, develop, and test new ideas through industrial collaboration and entering design competitions.
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.
The second year builds on these foundational skills and expands into the exciting areas of sensory design, visual language and cultures to help get a more in-depth view of the subject.
In the final year of the degree, students are engaged in independent projects alongside a dissertation on a design topic of their choice culminating in an end-of-year exhibition.
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.
Studio practice is a key element of this course, and students will have the opportunity to spend a lot of time in a creative studio environment. Teaching and learning experiences may include workshop activities, peer groups, lectures, workshops, seminars, and group tutorials. Students can also benefit from one-to-one surgeries, portfolio reviews, and self-initiated work experience.
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
As this course aims to develop a wide range of practical and intellectual skills, assessment is varied and includes presentations, written projects, individual and group practical work, projects, and portfolios, in addition to academic essays.
There are no formal end-of-year examinations. Throughout the degree, students are assessed through their production of practical and written work.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly - usually within 15 working days after the submission date.
Methods of Assessment
The way students are assessed in this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that are used include coursework for example including design project work and presentations; and written assignments. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year. The University of Lincoln aims to ensure that staff return in-course 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.
Course-Specific Additional Costs
Along with the software a basic materials package will be provided, including some essentials such as paper and pencils but will be required to cover additional costs specific to the study of product design. These typically include costs for rapid prototyping, art materials, printing, exhibitions, and creating a final collection for the third year's show.
Level 1 and 2 students report typically spending £200-300 per year on course materials and equipment. Level 3-Final year expenditure can be greater due to the production of a final garment collection and portfolio.
It should be noted that successful work is not necessarily dependent on high costs but on the level of originality, innovation, creativity, and resourcefulness. It is however expected that students on the programme will have sufficient funding to support the costs of their studies without hindrance.
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 a work experience or an internship.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
United Kingdom
A Level: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications).
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit or equivalent.
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points.
A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ, etc.
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.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
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.
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.
Student Design Awards
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 which 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 a 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."
"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
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.
