Product Design
Product designers combine science, design and technology to develop new or improve existing products that focus on innovative and responsive solutions for sustainable human development.
Product designers' integral focus is on process, taking concepts and ideas to completion by analyzing and implementing product designs from manufacturing to distribution. Whether identifying underserved, existing opportunities in the global market or innovating new products to fill people's needs, product designers are the leaders of tomorrow.
Who Studies Product Design?
Applicants to design programs come from diverse backgrounds and age groups. You may be applying to the Product Design program as a graduate from high school, or you may be transferring from another KPU program, or from another institution, or you may be a design professional, wanting to upgrade your credentials. We'd be delighted to receive your application and discuss your possible educational pathway with you.
Perhaps your background includes an active interest in recreation, sports, dance, special occupations or an ambition to improve the design of items related to these pursuits. Or, perhaps you are an entrepreneur wanting to improve the quality of life for groups under-represented by product design. Your creative skills might be in drawing, painting, photography, computer graphics, sculpture, crafts and other 3D work. You might simply be inventive and enjoy making gadgets and taking them apart. Whatever your profile, you are likely to be a risk-taker, problem-solver, willing to push boundaries, able to work independently and in teams, and engage in a rigorous design education.
It is strongly recommended that you have basic skills in English communication, word processing, basic mathematics, plus an awareness of product design, with ideas about how to improve current products and processes – in Canada and internationally.
Because of the varied profiles of our applicants, we will work with you to construct an educational pathway suitable to your goals. Our aim is to ensure that your time at KPU is enriching and enjoyable.
Department's website: kpu.ca/productdesign
Product design is an evolving design field. Locally, however, there are many very successful companies in Vancouver, known around the world for excellence in recreational and technical gear. There are also many opportunities that students might consider, overseas, in countries noted for manufacture of these items.
Upon graduation, you will have produced an extensive portfolio of innovative work, including a major research and development project that combines all the skills and knowledge necessary for this field. You would be prepared for such careers as:
- Product designer
- Industrial designer
- Product developer
- Product buyer
- Product production supervisor
- Environmental designer
- Packaging designer
You could work independently as a consultant, an entrepreneur, as a staff designer for an existing design studio, retailer, or manufacturer.
Registration in some course sections is restricted to students in particular programs. See Timetables - kpu.ca/registration/timetables - for current section information.
Visit the BC Transfer Guide - bctransferguide.ca - for information about course transfer in B.C.
DEPD 1100 3 credits
Studio 1: Design Methods for Hard Materials
Students will be introduced to properties, potential, and the language of materials. By developing insight into how materials behave, students will gain information and understanding to guide design and decision-making as they relate to these materials and processes. Course content will explore materiality as it relates to design decisions.
Level: UG
DEPD 1110 3 credits
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 hand visualization techniques are integral to the design process; how drawing is a means to an end, and providing technical information about construction, assembly and use. Students will transfer these visualization skills to project work.
Level: UG
DEPD 1130 3 credits
Design Research Methods
Research helps us understand the world and improve human wellbeing while alleviating the damage created to the planet. Students will be introduced to design research methods related to the design of products, services and systems. The research methods will include observation, information gathering, analysis and synthesis - these are strategies for gathering insight from context, experts, and users. Students will be introduced to the concepts of primary, secondary, and tertiary research. Students will learn to apply a diverse set of tools relevant for different situations and stages. They will use various techniques for exploring, representing, and testing design ideas through the design process.
Level: UG
DEPD 1140 3 credits
Model Making
Students will apply creative and innovative problem-solving skills to comprehensive three-dimensional design projects focusing on hard materials, such as wood and derivates like paper or medium-density fibreboard (MDF), plastics, resins, foams, and metals. Students will expand their knowledge of materials, processes, and methods as well as three-dimensional modelling and prototyping techniques, along with presentation methods of physical models and prototypes.
Level: UG
DEPD 1200 3 credits
Studio 2: Design Methods for Soft Materials
Students will be introduced to the properties, potential, and language of soft materials. By developing insight into how soft materials behave, students will gain information and understanding to guide design and decision-making as they relate to these materials and processes. Course content will explore materiality as it relates to design decisions.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): DEPD 1100
DEPD 1220 3 credits
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.
Level: UG
DEPD 1240 3 credits
Computer-Aided Design Fundamentals
Students will examine computer aided design hardware and software in relation to product design. They will use word processing and spreadsheet software to develop solutions for design and business problems. Students will explore 2D and 3D possibilities by using digital manufacturing technologies using industry standard software, computer-aided design (CAD) and others. They will design and build compositions to create print materials, and present product designs geared to production. They will develop and explore generative design processes to produce virtual 3D products and additive manufactured models.
Level: UG
DEPD 1250 3 credits
Construction Technologies for Soft Materials
Students will learn fundamental techniques and methods of construction technology related to soft materials for applications in product design. They will produce reference samples focusing on technical and production aspects of design projects. Students will develop skills in: industrial sewing techniques, pattern making methods and applications, and textile selection for a variety of pliable materials, both natural and synthetic.
Level: UG
DEPD 1260 3 credits
Design Histories
Students will examine developments in design through artifacts generated and used by humans from prehistory to the present day. They will utilize concepts from design and fine art history, sociology, and cultural anthropology to analyze examples of design, as well as the ideologies, theories, and social-political-economic factors that have influenced designers, design movements, styles, and consumers of design in different cultures around the world. They will also reflect how these factors have created an imbalance and disadvantages for diverse human groups around the world.
Level: UG
DEPD 2310 6 credits
Studio 3: Design for Industry Context
Students will explore concepts, using soft and hard materials, in industry context 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.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): DEPD 1200
DEPD 2320 3 credits
Material Technology
Students will investigate the technical aspects of materials in relation to product design. They will explore characteristics and properties of materials, including: classification, specification, structure, measurement, performance, and availability. They will seek new uses and applications for materials, and consider social, environmental and technological factors appropriate to product design.
Level: UG
DEPD 2330 3 credits
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.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 12 credits from courses at the 1100 level or higher
DEPD 2331 3 credits
Human Factors for Product Design
Students will develop an understanding of ergonomics and human factors within the context of designing 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. Students will evaluate design alternatives relative to functional and task variables, human needs, capabilities, and limitations.
Level: UG
DEPD 2340 3 credits
Primary Research and Ethics for Design
Students will be introduced to the concepts and practices related to primary research. They will explore and implement strategies for literature review, data analysis, and synthesis. They will frame a design problem as a research question and identify and apply appropriate research methods. Students will differentiate between qualitative and quantitative data, and the most common methods for data collection, storage, and participant anonymity in accordance to the Research Ethics Board (REB) standards. Students will be introduced to the implementation of ethics in research, and discuss and reflect what moral values and principles are to be considered acknowledging the multiple worldviews and diversity in society. They will use various techniques for exploring, representing, and testing design ideas with a co-design and/or participatory design approach. They will present their findings and conclusions in the form of presentations, posters and research papers.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): DEPD 1130
DEPD 2400 6 credits
Studio 4: Design for Performance: Sport and Industry
Students will respond to design briefs and engage in rigorous research for the design of products of high performance for sport and/or diverse industries. They will critically analyze existing, potential consumer markets, and under-represented demographic groups, with the aim of improving aspects such as function, performance and comfort. Students will incorporate interdisciplinary knowledge and technologies into project work.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): DEPD 2310
DEPD 2410 6 credits
Studio 3: Design 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.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): DEPD 2310 and 2320
Co-requisite(s): DEPD 2420
DEPD 2420 3 credits
Production Technology
Students will study various types of production technologies in product design. They will investigate and compare the principles and processes of current production and manufacturing requirements, and consider their limitations, sustainability considerations, and comparative costs involved in forming materials to the required specifications. Students will explore sustainable applications of production technologies for product design that permit the product to be repaired and recycled separating all different materials.
Level: UG
DEPD 2430 3 credits
Socio-Cultural and Planetary Context
Students will be introduced to the complexities of societal-cultural threats and opportunities, and their interconnexion to our planetary context. They will consider essential concepts, theories and methods and reflect how it all might impact design and its transformative nature. They will engage in critical thinking and problem-solving activities related to cultural change, globalization, sustainability, climate change, and technological advances in local, regional, and global contexts. Students will reflect on the impact on the design profession over the next decade.
Level: UG
DEPD 3500 6 credits
Studio 5: Design for Systems Change
Students will further explore product-service-system concepts in response to specific criteria for diverse contexts in product design. They will apply systems thinking and creative problem-solving processes in exploring systems-level solutions. Students will incorporate relevant socio-cultural, environmental, human factor research, and technologies into their design exercises, and present their process and results.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): DEPD 2400
DEPD 3510 6 credits
Studio 4: Design Engagement
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.
Level: UG
Co-requisite(s): DEPD 3520
DEPD 3520 3 credits
Production Cycles
Students will study production cycles as they relate to production operations management and process sequencing. They will assess existing examples of product design to analyze the steps required to move their design from prototype to manufacturing. They will explore specifications such as: technical drawings, sizing/grading, product measurements, bills of materials, vendor information, cost structure, etc. by interacting with appropriate industries to develop a critical manufacturing path.
Level: UG
DEPD 3530 3 credits
Semiotics and Affordances for Product Design
Students will examine how semiotics impact affordances (the relation between the user and the object) in product design. They will analyze major theories and current discourse to explore how signs and symbols, codes and conventions are used to convey meaning for the user. Students will investigate the types of messages soft goods products communicate in different contexts.
Level: UG
DEPD 3560 3 credits
New Extremes - Future Designing for Climate Adaptation
Despite the warnings of scientists around the world and multiple reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world is still on a path for extreme climate disruption. Students will be introduced to the science behind climate change, and they will learn about its causes, trajectories, possible scenarios, and main constraints to minimize its effects; together with its relation to loss of biodiversity, poverty, inequality, over consumption, and other systemic issues as a meta crisis to confront. They will then focus on analyzing how these factors are already impacting regional ecosystems and communities, and how it will increase in severity in the short and long-term future. Based on these learnings, experiences and reflections students will propose design interventions through a community-based participatory research approach, that should be aimed at adapting Canadian social, industrial and economic practices to these new extremes.
Level: UG
DEPD 3610 6 credits
Studio 6: Design for Protective Apparel and Gear
Students will further their skills in responding critically and creatively to designing apparel and protective gear for specialized markets such as high-risk, 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.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): DEPD 3500
DEPD 3620 3 credits
Product Development for Manufacturing
Students will study production operations management and process sequencing. They will assess 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. Students will connect with industry in order to develop a critical manufacturing path relevant to soft product manufacturing.
Level: UG
Co-requisite(s): DEPD 3610
DEPD 3630 3 credits
Industry Experience
Students will initiate and complete a faculty-approved, industry-related practicum relevant to product design and manufacture evidence of the practical knowledge gained and its potential application.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): 30 credits of 2000 level courses or higher
DEPD 3640 3 credits
Special Topics: Design for a Changing Climate
The climate is changing, and this affects the health of the planet and all life. Climate information is dynamic, and this requires emerging designers to be both critical and creative practitioners. Students will examine a selected topic relating to climate and the role and responsibility of design approaches that mitigate effects and prepare communities through adaptation. This course will examine climate change through a variety of lenses; decolonisation, scientific, ecological, economic and sociopolitical. Critical analysis of relevant literature, case studies, recent developments, and/or contemporary issues will be discussed leading to design proposals for climate action such as regenerative practices, circular economy strategies, post-consumerism business models, etc. Students will engage in research and analysis, dialogue, presentations, and project work.
Level: UG
DEPD 4710 6 credits
Studio 7: Design Research for Capstone
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 community members.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): DEPD 3610
DEPD 4720 3 credits
Products & Business Design
Students will analyze the relationship between product and business opportunities. They will analyze the variables affecting today's economy from a global perspective. Students will review international trade agreements, and integrate socio-political and environmental factors into their research. Students will design alternative business models, responding to product development requirements, business supply chain possibilities, and social and environmental impact.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): MRKT 1199
DEPD 4810 9 credits
Studio 8: Design for Capstone Production
Students will produce a final prototype of their major, industry-related project in product design. They will respond to research completed previously in DEPD 4710, by advancing and implementing their design strategies. Students will integrate interdisciplinary content and 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 and documents to the university and community members.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): DEPD 4710
Co-requisite(s): DEPD 4820
DEPD 4820 3 credits
Design Research Knowledge Mobilization
Based on the students' research project conducted in parallel and complementary to DEPD 4810, students will organize, process, and reflect on data they collected in DEPD 4810, and present their findings and conclusions in the form of infographics, artifacts, presentations, posters, videos, reels, reports, short articles and/or research papers. They will produce these sources based on their investigation of possible venues, events, and publications where they will present their results, such as conferences, design competitions, journals, fairs, magazines, repositories, complimented by social media, blogs, podcasts, etc. Student submissions will focus on professionalism, compelling language, and levels of complexity relevant to the target audience. Students will reflect on how their design research will impact the diversity of communities, users, and contexts.
Level: UG
Prerequisite(s): DEPD 2340
Co-requisite(s): DEPD 4810
DEPD 4831 3 credits
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.
Level: UG
Co-requisite(s): DEPD 4810
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