Award in Product Design for Interiors

1. Introduction to Product Design sketching and product development

Approximate duration: 5 hours (contact time), self-study

Learning Components and Activities:

●Understand the significance of bespoke product design in the context of interior design.
●Health and Safety when handling tools and equipment, low voltage power supplies, risk assessment and safe handling of electrical supplies (task).
●Explore case studies of signature items and exclusive spaces, discovering design styles.
●Brief overview of the history of industrial design, art and design movements and contemporary product design.
●Reviewing an existing product by reverse engineering techniques to learn from successful product development.
●Learn about the iterative design process involved in product development.
●Introduction to Product design sketching skills and techniques to produce highly communicative product design illustrations.
●Experience design-and-make by applied, hand-on tasks. This includes going from sketch to mock-up models, testing functionality and aesthetics, developing specification for product prototyping and eventually manufacturing a presentation prototype.
●Extra focus: design thinking for real-world pandemics and mitigation strategies. (including: touchless, modularity and flexible design in anticipation and response for pandemics ex COVID)

2. Materials and Fabrication Techniques for Makers

Approximate duration: 5 hours (contact time), self-study

Learning Components and Activities:

●Model making materials (paper, cardboard, polystyrene, foamboard, etc.)
●Plastics
●Manmade & natural wood
●Surface finishes (including basic upholstery in textiles)
●Prefabricated metal fittings and components
●Low-voltage electrical fittings and equipment.

Learning Components and Activities:

●Study materials commonly used in interior design, lighting products and bespoke installations.
●Explore fabrication processes and their impact on product quality through focused fabrication tasks.
●Hand tools and electrical tools and equipment. (Blend of self owned tools, studio based tools/equipment sited at field placement/site visit)
●Plastics related fabrication techniques and tasks.
●Wood related fabrication techniques and tasks.
●Discuss sustainable and eco-friendly options. Including: life-cycle assessment, circular design, repairability, and recyclability.
●Adding value through Reuse and restoration.
●Carry out focused tasks exploring making and fabrication techniques.

3. Light Technology Integration

Approximate duration: 5 hours (contact time), self-study

Core electrical components:

●LED 12V drivers/power supply
●LED light fittings
●RGBW LEDS & Control
●Safe Connection boxes
●Electrical tools and equipment
●Switches, Sensors and relays

Learning Components and Activities:

●Delve into the technology behind custom light fixtures, LED, power supplies and electrical connections.
●Learn about ambient, task, and accent lighting.
●Follow appropriate Health and Safety precautions in low voltage electrical projects (LED drivers, main supply isolation, testing equipment, installation)
●Simulate circuit design using software (TinkerCAD circuits, crocodile clips, Circuit wizard, etc.) and hardware: breadboard.
●Circuit design, soldering and powering up low voltage light systems.
●Create your own unique light fixture circuit, mock-up design.

4. Developing the Project Product Idea

Approximate duration: 4 hours (contact time), self-work.

Learning Components and Activities:

●Explore interactive design concepts for interior spaces – including extra consideration of pandemic-responsive features (e.g. design modularity,
●Develop models and prototypes that engage users and respond to identified needs.
●Understand user experience and usability.
●The value of risk taking in validating good concepts.
●Learn how to use widely available product 3D modelling software and presentation software including: Sketchup, ThinkerCAD, Inkscape, Onshape, Adobe sketchbook Pro.
●Leveraging AI tools as an ally to creative design, what to expect and how to make the best of generative tools.
●Identify target markets and propose marketable ideas in the form of a product design leaflet.
●Rendering a final concept idea through art media and digital software.

5. Product Prototyping and Manufacturing

Approximate duration: 6 hours (contact time), self-work.

Learning Components and Activities:
●Planning the making process
●Learn technical skills for potential large-scale production.
●Understand the basics of additive manufacturing and 3D printing as a benchmark for rapid prototyping.
●Design and create an initial 3D model to prototype the final project product.
●Manufacture, with guidance key components of the final prototype using appropriate materials and finishes.
●Construct the working components required to integrate and control light within the product.
●Produce the required circuit, test, and install within the prototype.
●Enjoy safe use of tools, equipment and the studio/ workshop.
●Learn how to minimize
●Work in a supported Maker environment to finalise their product in various materials.

6. Finishing Processes and Quality Assurance

Approximate duration: 2 hours (contact time), self-work.

Learning Components and Activities:

●Finalising of product, ensuring high-quality finishes for your products.

●Understand quality control and testing. – including design for longevity, maintenance planning.
●Prepare your final product prototype and product sustainable branding.
●Develop a business plan for launching your designs.

7. Final Review, Evaluation and Presentation

Approximate duration: 3 hours (contact time), self-work.
Learning Components and Activities:

●Review Intellectual property rights related to the product developed to gain industry awareness.
●Act on feedback and testing.
●Present your project to a wider Audience and test group, gaining feedback.
●Present the full project presentation including final modifications and iterations, and
Write a self and product evaluation, including future potential for the developed design,

Lesson structure: Each lesson is circa 2 hours long while tutorials and site visit shall vary in durations ranging between 1 hour and 3 hours sessions.