Product Design

The Department of Product Design is structured to provide an overview of both design skills and specialized approaches in specific product categories.

3 semester credits. Design thinking refers to creative strategies designers use during the process of designing. Focused on listening, user empathy, whole-brain thinking, collaboration, and experimentation, design thinking can be applied within any team and in any field – from architecture and design to healthcare and product development. This course applies design thinking methodology to everyday problems and provides students with the tools they need to become innovative thinkers. Envisioned as a collaborative lab, this course fosters the integration of research, problem-forming and problem-solving, aesthetics, technology, prototyping, and publishing, with a strong focus on user’s needs. Several tools to help students understand design thinking as a problem-solving approach are introduced throughout the course. Case-studies from different organizations that used design thinking to uncover compelling solutions are used to support instruction. This course delves into the fundamentals of this creative approach by immersing students in dynamic discussions, relevant readings, and team exercises. Throughout the course, students learn how to empathize with the needs and motivations of the end users, discover new ideas for solving a problem and how to apply strategies and methodologies drawn from a wider range of creative design practices.

3 semester credits. This introductory course to product design guides students through the exploration of the different stages involved in the design process. Case-study analysis enhances instruction as students explore parallel paths in the design of interiors, industrial and consumer products, public art projects and fashion. With carefully selected examples and practical exercises, students explore contemporary design practice within production processes. Students become familiar with concepts and terminology relevant to product design. Namely, production volumes, speed of production, costs of production, relevant materials and typical applications. The innovative use of a particular material, sustainability and its effect on the environment is also assessed. As an integral part of the course, students are required to develop a meaningful design challenge and – in the end – deliver a great design. Within such a process, students address the historical context of their designs as they practice critical thinking, research, problem solving, and aesthetic refinement. Projects require sketches, models, written reports and verbal presentations of design concepts.

3 semester credits. With the advance of technological innovation and the increased availability of products, it has become easier to notice when bad product design happens. But what makes a design good or bad? This advanced course in product design allows students to answer such a question by exploring this still-evolving discipline from a number of perspectives. The course objective is for students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to work professionally as a product designer. Students are invited to independently explore the problem area, define relevant design problems and plan the further design work. During the course, students build on previously acquired knowledge relative to the design process and apply their skills by undertaking real-world product design problem-solving projects. As part of the course assessment, students are expected to account for the design process, argue for relevant facts, social context and a user focus to justify the methods, techniques and tools used to perform, explain and visualize the process and the result. This class includes Fab Lab studio hours and experiential learning with CEMI. Prerequisites: Introduction to Product Design or equivalent.

6 semester credits. With the advance of technological innovation and the increased availability of products, it has become easier to notice when bad product design happens. But what makes a design good or bad? This advanced course in product design allows students to answer such a question by exploring this still-evolving discipline from a number of perspectives. The course objective is for students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to work professionally as a product designer. Students are invited to independently explore the problem area, define relevant design problems and plan the further design work. During the course, students build on previously acquired knowledge relative to the design process and apply their skills by undertaking real-world product design problem-solving projects. As part of the course assessment, students are expected to account for the design process, argue for relevant facts, social context and a user focus to justify the methods, techniques and tools used to perform, explain and visualize the process and the result. This course includes Fab Lab studio hours. This course includes experiential learning hours with our Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI). CEMI are dynamic learning environments created to foster learning through a structured interaction with the community. In addition to regular lecture hours, students will be involved in learning by doing through real projects and integration with the local population and territory in order to remove cultural and learning barriers as well as to develop a strong likelihood for success in life. The experiential learning hours are fully supervised by instructors who track students step by step during their learning experience, monitor and advise according to student needs, and support student initiative. This unique learning model allows students to benefit from an all-encompassing educational experience based on theory and practice in real enterprises, learning of comprehensive operational processes, problem-solving, leadership, and management. Prerequisites: Introduction to Product Design or equivalent.

3 semester credits. 3D printing is often referred to as the “next industrial revolution.” While the idea of printing your own consumer goods on-demand is certainly exciting, there are many questions that relate to this technology: ownership & copyright, accessibility, technical issues, cost. This course will evaluate this technology from the perspectives of students with varied backgrounds. Students will be introduced to 2D and 3D modelling and printing processes.

3 semester credits. In this advanced 3D and Fabrication course, students will discover the parameters and the potential of 3D printing through building a design project. The course will allow students to master the fundamentals of additive and subtractive operations and to gain a thorough knowledge of rapid prototyping principles and machine structures, manufacture planning, and the manual aspects of programming and editing. Investigation of materials, prototyping and testing, physical mock-ups, and the application of new fabrication processes are an integral part of the course. This course includes Fab Lab studio hours. Prerequisites: Introduction to 3D Printing and Fabrication or equivalent.

3 semester credits. This course is designed to give students a comprehensive overview of the techniques used to enhance packaging strategies. The course content includes: history and principles of packaging and labeling, functions of packaging, trends in packaging, planning and designing product packaging. The application of semiotics in the commercial world and in the area of packaging design as a way to communicate a brand’s value and personality will also be discussed. Renowned Italian and international product packaging case studies will be examined. Students will work on individual projects and will create their own packaging solutions for a selected product or brand. Prerequisites: Introduction to Computer Graphics, Visual Communication, or equivalent.

3 semester credits. Prototyping is one of the most important tools of design research. This course is aimed at two different audiences. Firstly, design students who want to learn to build simple interactive prototypes to illustrate and study their ideas. Secondly, research-oriented students, who want to develop skills needed in design research, as well as the ability to illustrate their ideas with simple interactive prototypes, and an ability to develop those ideas through user-centered methods. In this course, students will learn how to design and prototype user interfaces to address the users and tasks identified in research. Through a series of lectures and exercises, students will learn and practice analog and 3D digital fabrication prototyping techniques; they will learn and apply design principles, how to write a design rationale, and how to design for specific situations including principles and practices of accessible design. This course includes Fab Lab studio hours.

3 semester credits. This is a special project course with a focus on digital fabrication techniques and processes. Students will be involved in 2D and 3D printing projects produced through the use of design software, prototyping, and machine operations in a Fab Lab setting. Projects will reflect varying technologies, design approaches, and product categories. EL hours may be distributed from Monday through Friday. This placement may require PM shifts or shifts that take place on weekends, or ongoing research and design-based activities for remote placements.
 This special project course features experiential learning hours with our Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI). CEMI are dynamic learning environments created to foster learning through a structured interaction with the community. Remote option students will gain international community exposure through a virtual setting.
Students will be involved in learning by doing through real projects and integration with the local population and territory in order to remove cultural and learning barriers as well as to develop a strong likelihood for success in life.
The experiential learning hours are fully supervised by instructors who track students step by step during their learning experience, monitor and advise according to student needs, and support student initiative. This unique learning model allows students to benefit from an all-encompassing educational experience based on theory and practice in real enterprises, learning of comprehensive operational processes, problem-solving, leadership, and management.
 Main tasks: Visual and materials research, design processes for 2 and 3D printing projects, analysis of fabrication products, final portfolio. Additional materials/Dress code: Business casual attire for dress code. Not applicable to remote option.
 Remote option students will need their own access to Adobe software. Prerequisites: Cover letter, CV, and material pertinent to the chosen area, interview. Portfolio of previous work, intermediate knowledge Adobe Illustrator or CAD.

3 semester credits. The course analyzes the organization of activities related to the introduction, promotion, and optimization of luxury brands that distinguish themselves from competitors. Examined issues will cover brand equity, business and marketing strategies, conducting market and consumer satisfaction surveys, product development, optimizing management of existing products, brand expansion, and optimizing the marketing mix. Prerequisites: Introduction to Brand Management or equivalent.