Memorandum To: Academic Policy and Program Review Committe From

Product Design Technology 2;

Product Design Studio 4 (Materials. Processes & Sustainability)

The Bachelor of Design (Product Innovation) is the foundation degree for the profession of Industrial Design. Industrial Designers create the form and function of the thousands of products people use every day including  consumer electronic devices, appliances for the home, more efficient workplace products, tools for safer and more effective industrial applications, sports equipment to improve safety and performance, fashion accessories, new car concepts, toys and game designs, furniture and medical equipment. Industrial designers are concerned with the aesthetics, function, usability and social significance of manufactured objects and play a key role in determining how products are made, the materials used and environmental sustainability.

The degree has a strong emphasis on practical experience through design studios, model making and prototyping, work experience and the opportunity for international study.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Design (Product Innovation) can work in diverse support areas including technical illustration, exhibition design, 3D Computer aided design (CAD) modelling and drafting.  Alternatively graduates can pursue a range of postgraduate pathways for specialisation such as Industrial Design, Sustainable Design or Education.

In first year, students will be introduced to the elements and principles of design in project-based studios. This is supplemented by studies in the basic skills and concepts in design theory, creativity, environmental awareness, communications and technology. In second year, students will broaden their knowledge with courses such as design history and ergonomics, and gain an understanding of design methods, materials, manufacturing processes and introductory engineering principles. In third year, students will focus on design for usability and design for manufacture and sustainability and can choose from a range elective courses. Students will apply this knowledge in studios where increasingly complex and sophisticated projects will be completed.

Current first year and second year students will have the option to complete the 4 year program or alternately change their enrolment to the proposed 3 year program. It should be noted that when the university of Canberra went through a similar transition in 2009, all of the first year students opted for the 3 year program in preference to staying with the 4 year degree.

Current 3rd years will have the option to complete at the end of the year with the Bachelor of Design (Product Innovation) or continue with the 4 year program.

Current 3rd years enrolled in the honours stream who want to continue with honours will need to stay in the 4 year program to complete their honours degree.

Current 4th years will complete the degree. Students who complete the current 4 year degree will have the option to apply for the new Masters of Design in 2011 and be given credit for the first year of the Masters, subject to approval of the Program Director.

Students in the double degree with Management will be given individual counseling regarding the transition arrangements. They will either have the option to change from the double degree to the proposed 3 year degree or alternatively see out the double degree.

The new program does not substantially change the sequence and timing of the content, thus students who have completed a year level under the current Bachelor of Industrial Design will be able to move onto the next year level in the new structure. Thus students who have completed all first year courses can transition straight into the second year of the new program structure, likewise students who have completed all second year courses will be able to transition into the third year of the new structure.

Any students who have not completed all courses associated with a year level will need to meet with the Program Support Officer or the Program Director to devise a study plan.