How will I learn?
The Product Design program provides you with an interdisciplinary education that consists of three major streams: Creativity & Innovation Stream, Technology Stream, and Interdisciplinary & Leadership Stream, all woven into an integrated four-year curriculum. You will begin with an introduction to the fundamental concepts, theories, technologies, methods and materials related to product design. Later course work will emphasize design solutions and production, technical skills and marketing.
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DEPD 1100: Design Methods & Materials (3 credits) DEPD 1110: Visualization for Product Design (3 credits) DEPD 1210: 3D Design: Product Design (3 credits) FIND 1150: Designing for Humanity (3 credits) |
DEPD 1120: Computer Fundamentals (3 credits) DEPD 1220: Digital Technologies for Product Design (3 credits)
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DEPD 1130: Design Thinking (3 credits) ENGL 1100: Intro to University Writing (3 credits) DEPD 1230: Transformative Thinking for Product Design (3 credits) FIND 1220: Interdisciplinary Design History II (3 credits) |
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DEPD 2310: Design Explorations 1: Materials & Fasteners (6 credits) DEPD 2410: Design Explorations 2: Materials in Context (6 credits) |
DEPD 2320: Materials Technology (3 credits) DEPD 2420: Production Technology (3 credits)
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GDMA 2140: Communication Design: Consumerism & Popular Culture (3 credits) MRKT 1199: Intro to Marketing (3 credits) DEPD 2430: Socio-Cultural Issues in Design (3 credits) DEPD 2431: Human Factors for Product Design (3 credits) | ||
DEPD 3510: Design Engagement 1: Leisure & Sports Gear (6 credits) DEPD 3610: Design Engagements 2: Special Protective Gear (6 credits) |
DEPD 3520: Production Technology - Sourcing (3 credits) DEPD 3620: Product Manufacturing (3 credits)
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DEPD 3530: Semiotics for Product Design (3 credits) DEPD 3630: Industry Experience (3 credits) Electives (6 credits) |
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DEPD 4710: Design Convergence 1: Research & Ideation (6 credits) DEPD 4810: Design Convergence 2: Realization & Praxis (9 credits) |
DEPD 4720: Products & Business Scenarios (3 credits)
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MRKT 4177: Contemporary Issues in Marketing (3 credits) DEPD 4831: The Business of Product Design (3 credits) Electives (6 credits) | ||
The full program starts September 2012. A detailed program listing including pre-requisites, course listings and other information will be available in the online 2012-13 calendar: kwantlen.ca/calendar/2012-13/design/productdesign-deg.html.
Course Description Summary
Product Design – Year 1 Courses (Starting Fall 2012)
DEPD 1100: Design Methods and Materials
Students will be introduced to properties, potential, and the language of materials. They will learn about the processes of manufacturing and assembly that are used in product design. Students will develop insight into how materials behave and how information and understanding are used to guide design, decision-making in relationship to these materials and processes. They will explore materiality in developing design outcomes through a series of lectures, projects and workshops.
DEPD 1110: Visualization for Product Design
Students will develop fundamental skills in visualization for product design (sketching, drawing, and rendering). They will apply theories, concepts, methods and materials comprehending how these hands-on visualization techniques are integral to the design process; how drawing is a means to an end, for example: communicating and analyzing ideas, simplifying complex problems and processes, persuading clients, manufacturers and users, and providing technical information about construction, assembly and use. Students will transfer these visualization skills to project work.
DEPD 1120: Computer Fundamentals
Students will examine basic computer hardware and software concepts, and the Internet, in relation to product design. They will use word processing and spreadsheet software to develop solutions for design and business problems. Students will explore the 2D and 3D capabilities of using various tools and techniques. They will design and build compositions to create print materials.
DEPD 1130: Design Thinking
Students will be introduced to a number of strategies related to the design of products, such as methods of rational analysis and synthesis, formal design paradigms drawn from history, strategies for developing concepts, and making products meaningful to user groups. They will be introduced to the relationship of design thinking to the process of design. Students will understand the use of a diverse set of tools deployable within different design contexts or at different stages in the design process. They will use various techniques for exploring and representing design ideas to provide a foundation for future expertise in designing. Students will explore hybrid-thinking models through interdisciplinary actions that will provide a framework for leadership in their discipline.
DEPD 1210: Three-Dimensional Design: Product Design
Students will apply creative and innovative problem-solving skills to comprehensive three-dimensional design projects focusing on product design, such as sportswear and accessories, protective and safety gear, rescue apparel, uniforms, and shelters. Students will expand their knowledge of materials, processes, and methods as well as three-dimensional modeling and prototyping techniques, along with presentation methods relating to product production.
DEPD 1220: Digital Technologies for Product Design
Students will learn the fundamentals of digital manufacturing technologies using industry-standard software, with a focus on computer-aided design (CAD) for product design. Students will learn to create and develop design ideas from data using three-dimensional modeling software. Students will extend their prior knowledge of computer applications to create and present innovative product designs geared to production. They will develop and explore generative design processes to produce virtual 3D products.
DEPD 1230: Transformative Thinking for Product Design
Students will be introduced to the complexities of societal threats and opportunities that affect design. They will understand the transformative nature of design that exists in a dynamic context. Students will study areas, such as cultural change, globalization, sustainability and technological advances that will likely impact the design professions over the next decade.
Product Design – Year 2 Courses (Starting Fall 2013)
DEPD 2310: Design Explorations 1: Materials & Fasteners
Students will explore concepts, materials, and fastening components appropriate to product design. They will apply critical thinking and creative problem-solving processes to explore and experiment with multiple combinations of materials, assembling and affixing technologies. Students will document their findings for future reference, and present the results of their explorations.
DEPD 2320: Material Technology
Students will investigate the technical aspects of soft materials in relation to product design. They will explore the profiles of natural and synthetic materials, including: classification, specification, structure, measurement, and performance. They will seek new uses and applications for soft materials, and consider environmental and technological factors appropriate to product design.
DEPD 2410: Design Explorations 2: Materials in Context
Students will further explore concepts, materials, and components, in response to specific criteria for diverse contexts in product design. They will apply critical thinking and creative problem-solving processes in exploring solutions that allow for products to be used differently and more effectively. Students will incorporate relevant socio-cultural, human factor research, and technologies into their design exercises, and present their process and results.
DEPD 2420: Production Technology
Students will study various levels of production technology in product design. They will investigate and compare the principles and processes of current production and manufacturing requirements, and consider the limitations and comparative costs involved in forming materials to the required specifications (e.g. shape, size, and finish). Students will explore new resourceful and sustainable applications of production for product design.
DEPD 2430: Socio-Cultural Issues in Design
Students will consider essential concepts, theories and methods related to cultural issues and how these might impact the design of soft products. They will engage in critical thinking and creative problem-solving activities related to local, regional, and global issues, such as: social structures, economics, politics, gender, ethnicity, class and age; environment, sustainability and ethical practices.
DEPD 2431: Human Factors for Product Design
Students will develop an understanding of ergonomics and human factors within the context of designing highly effective recreational and technical apparel and related soft products. They will research the relationship between product design and user needs for comfort, safety, well-being, and performance. They will explore methods for developing detailed user profiles and system requirements, and for evaluating design alternatives relative to functional and task variables; human needs, capabilities and limitations.
Product Design – Year 3 Courses (Starting Fall 2014)
DEPD 3510: Design Engagement 1: Leisure and Sports Gear
Students will respond to design briefs and engage in rigorously researching the design of soft goods products for leisure and sports gear. They will critically analyze existing and potential consumer markets, including under-represented demographic groups, with the aim of creatively improving such aspects as function, performance and comfort of products. Students will incorporate interdisciplinary knowledge and technologies into project work.
DEPD 3520: Production Technology – Sourcing
Students will study sourcing as a major aspect of production technology in soft product design. They will create specifications that include: sizing/grading, product measurements, bills of materials to gather components, vendor information, critical paths, and efficient, lean manufacturing techniques.
DEPD 3530: Semiotics for Product Design
Students will reflect on the relationship between semiotics (the study of sign systems) and product design. They will analyze major theories and current discourse to explore how signs and symbols, codes and conventions are used to convey meaning in the marketplace. Students will investigate the types of messages soft goods products communicate in different contexts.
DEPD 3610: Design Engagement 2 – Special Protective Gear
Students will further their skills in responding critically and creatively to designing protective gear for dangerous, and unpredictable contexts, e.g. search and rescue, law enforcement, health and safety, and military activities. They will confer with users and critically analyze their needs, with the aim of innovatively and economically improving such aspects as, function, performance and comfort. Students will consider the manufacturing requirements in the development of their solutions.
DEPD 3620: Product Manufacturing
Students will connect with industry in order to develop a critical manufacturing path relevant to soft product manufacturing. They will study production operations management and process sequencing. They will analyze existing examples of product design to analyze the steps required in prototype manufacturing, evaluating the compatibility of materials with the design concept and end use.
DEPD 3630: Industry Experience
Students will initiate and complete a faculty-approved, industry-related experience relevant to product design and manufacture, e.g. a work arrangement, an educational study tour, a set of trade shows, visits to manufacturing plants, or contributor to a major conference. They will observe and record their experiences, relate them to their course work, and provide documented evidence of the practical knowledge gained and its potential application.
Product Design – Year 4 Courses (Starting Fall 2015)
DEPD 4710: Design Convergence 1: Research & Ideation
Students will synthesize their knowledge and skills, by completing feasibility studies of a major industry-related project that highlights their personal abilities in product design. They will engage in rigorous research, brainstorm and test ideas, and propose strategies for future development. Students will probe and justify the economic viability, environmental impact, and the technologies required for realization. Students will make professional presentations about their feasibility studies to the university and the community.
DEPD 4720: Products & Business Scenarios
Students will research the relationship between soft products and business scenarios. They will analyze circumstances from a global perspective in relation to today's economy. They will study international trade agreements and the legality of trade, and integrate socio political factors into their research. Students will envision a business scenario, including product development, business supply chain along with market research and cost estimates.
DEPD 4810: Design Convergence 2: Realization & Praxis
Students will produce a final prototype of their major, industry-related project in product design. They will respond to research completed previously, by advancing and implementing their design strategies. Students will integrate interdisciplinary content; technological advances; specify appropriate manufacturing processes; estimate the economic viability; predict the environmental and ethical impacts of their design decisions. They will demonstrate and defend their solution through comprehensive presentations, documents, to the university and the community.
DEPD 4831: The Business of Product Design
Students will practice professional business and leadership skills relevant to engagement in the product design profession. They will prepare themselves with appropriate knowledge, skills and tools, e.g. resumes, business proposals, portfolios and other documents typically required in business and manufacturing environments. Students will discuss business procedures, marketing plans, financial management, fee proposals and contracts, intellectual property issues, government regulations, ethical and professional liability issues.
