Bachelor Degree in Product Design IED – Istituto Europeo di Design Barcelona

The specialization in Product Design - which is equivalent to a University Degree (240 ECTS) - provides future professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to design products bearing in mind the user and their surroundings, ergonomics, social value, technology and the materials needed to create a “good design”. The course covers various fields such as lighting, consumer electronics, wearables, packaging, personal accessories, utensils, furniture, domestic appliances, food, service design and more.

It also explores new financial and productive realities such as collaborative consumption, crowdfunding, digital production, rapid prototyping, and 3D printing.

The Undergraduate Degree in Design specializing in Product Design has the goal of providing innovative and efficient solutions with a commitment to sustainable development. Studying at IED Design gives students the chance to work with design companies and institutions in the sector, as well as innovation centers. All of the teachers are working professionals, and the school’s workshops are brand new and equipped with the best tools and materials for developing projects.

Coordinator

Sebastián Alberdi

A former student of IED Barcelona, he won the Antonio Miró contest in 2004, got the second prize in the contest Bombay Sapphire Spain and winner of the contest “La Incubadora” by FAD in 2006.

He currently combines his activity as professor in the Undergraduate Degree in Product Design with several projects undertaken by Outofstock, a studio with seats in Barcelona and Singapore and of which he is a founding member, The accordance between form and function, innovation, surprise, and elegance are the hallmarks of his products, which in addition are present in major international trade shows. Ligne Roset, Foundry, Metalarte or Bolia are some of his clients.

One of his latest projects was shown in the exhibition The Weight of Blue at Any Tokyo, an exhibition where several designs developed by the glass blowing technique. Other notable projects are By the edge, Landscape daybed, o Bridge shelves.

This course is for those who want to express their creative talent to the full, exploring the world of product design, acquiring in-depth knowledge on how product design works and how it can help improve the way we live in the modern world.

In particular, this course is for people who want to be proactive in finding solutions for the environmental, technological, aesthetic and cultural problems of our modern world, making the most of this opportunity to work in a professional sector that today is more focused than ever on meeting the sustainable requirements of product users.

You’ll learn to understand the increasingly global and hyperconnected reality of our world and evolve to become a key player in the collective endeavour to achieve universal well-being, creating products that combine the values of inclusiveness, sustainability, functionality, innovation and beauty.

Last but not least, the multidisciplinary environment of the IED community helps you to convey your ideas for a new product in the best possible way, in visual, verbal and written presentations.

Methodology

Product Design offers a formative path that teaches students to comprehend and anticipate the demands of the market, by negotiating with business intentions and translating them into a properly-defined project that can be manufactured. It emphasizes the importance of the concept, in order to predict consumer trends and styles, based on an understanding of the demands of the market and social needs.

The course also gives the students knowledge of production materials and technology so that they can bring their projects to life. In addition to a theoretical understanding of the project, the students focus on analyzing technologies, function, ergonomics, and usability.

Job Opportunities

Self-employed designers, design departments, marketing, colour&trim or innovation for companies and design, engineering and architecture studios, companies working on innovation and strategy, creative and art departments in advertising agencies, research departments in companies and institutions.

Ex-IED Design students work for:

Bertone, Frecan, Capmar, Projeckta, Zicla, Lamborghini, Hyundai, Grupo Pangea, Seat, Fun Lab, Orbitel, Cazaly Sylvain, Home Design, MTL Brands, BMW, McLaren, BM Lightning Design, Design Dies, Ubica, Estudi Interiorisme Salietti, Pia Capdevila, VMoto Europa, Scutum Logistics, Gama Ubica, Tarrago Cortés Interioristes, Ibisland Invest, Interiodista Decoración Digital, etc.

Companies

The course promotes a project culture with companies to bridge the gap between education and the world of work. The students not only learn the methodology and tools of the various disciplines but also learn to work and build relationships through briefings with real-life clients.

The department has collaborated with the following companies: Ferrari, the BMW Initiative, Seat, Doctors without Borders, Mercedes Benz, Casa Decor, Volvo, Gira, Unopiù, Frecan, Primavera Sound, Orbea, Panasonic, Derbi, Renault, Zicla, Roca, Decoexpo, Alstom, Hyundai, Toyota, Panatta Sport, Illy, Capmar, Piquadro, Entitat Metropolitana del Transport, Japan Tobacco International, AHEC, Elite Gourmet, Vmoto, Omega Z, I+ED Lab, Idearideas, Architecture for Humanity, Consorzio Tecnologie Meccaniche Centro Italia, Volta Motorbikes, Casa Gracia BCN and Los Cármenes.