Industrial Product Design
Every product we buy has a combination of elements in both design and usability. This major will teach you how to design products which both solve a problem and create desire in consumers.
- Product design methods
- Fluid flow
- Heat transfer
- Sketching
- Drawing
- Computer-aided design
- Design aesthetics
- Materials selection
This degree promotes interdisciplinary innovation. For example, Industrial Product Design with electives from physics or electrical engineering creates an intersection between mechanical and electronic product design.
Industrial designers need to be:
- imaginative with good artistic skills
- innovative
- able to work well under pressure
- able to accept criticism
- good communicators
- persuasive at selling their ideas to clients.
University Entrance through NCEA, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge International Examinations - for more information see the Admission and University Entrance page.
At least 14 credits in Level 2 NCEA Science and Mathematics strongly recommended (have passed AS level Mathematics in CIE or have achieved a 4 SL Maths for IB).
NCEA credits in related subjects such as Digital Technologies, Technology, or Design and Visual Communication would be an advantage.
Industrial designers work across many different industries. They may work in design departments for large manufacturing companies, design or engineering consultancies, architectural practices, or may be self-employed with their own company. Other areas include:
- furniture
- electronics
- packaging
- recreational and sports equipment
- medical appliances
- consumer goods
- vehicle design
- ergonomics
- entirely new fields/inventions.
First year courses
COURSE | DESCRIPTION |
MATH or EMTH |
Any 15 points of MATH or EMTH courses at 100-level |
or |
Foundations of Engineering
Product Design Principles |
PROD 101 |
Product Design 1 |
MGMT 100 |
Fundamentals of Management |
or |
Introductory Physics for Physical Sciences and Engineering
Engineering Physics A |
PROD 111 |
Materials Science for Design |
Plus 1 technical elective |