Product Design with Year Abroad - BA (Hons)

Summary Design products people actually need and make them real. On BA Product Design you’ll create useful, sustainable and meaningful products through studio-led learning at Winchester School of Art (WSA) and bring together creative thinking, technical skills and cultural awareness to design products and services rooted in real needs. With access to workshops, maker labs and upgraded campus facilities, you’ll prototype and iterate across physical, digital and hybrid design. From furniture and household products to wearables, IoT devices, AI-enabled products, smart connected objects and user experiences. One of only a few specialist art schools in the Russell Group, you’ll be inspired to create in our purpose built studios and workshops and learn with expert creative practitioners at WSA, part of our University of Southampton community. Key features of the course On this BA Product Design degree, you will: • use design thinking, user research and human-centred approaches to understand people’s needs • experiment, make and test materials and manufacturing processes across physical and digital spaces • explore circular and responsible design, creating innovative design solutions that address global sustainability and climate concerns • build AI literacy and work with digital design tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), prototyping and generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the design process • take part in live, collaborative and cross-programme projects with industry partners, research labs and students studying other disciplines • develop a professional portfolio that shows your process, prototypes and finished product outcomes Student support Your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) will support you throughout your time at Southampton, offering academic guidance, career advice and signposting to wellbeing and pastoral services when needed. Further information Our studio-based environment reflects professional practice, and studio projects will help you develop ideas through research, sketching, modelling, prototyping and testing, supported by regular tutorials and critiques. You'll have access to: • dedicated studios and maker spaces, including digital studios with modern tools for prototyping and testing and professional photography facilities • specialist workshops for wood, metal, ceramics, plastics and digital fabrication • additive and subtractive manufacturing equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC machines • support from experienced technical staff across these facilities You can apply for a Year in Employment between year 2 and year 3 to gain extended industry experience before you return to complete your degree. Find out more on our course page.