BA (Hons) Product Design

• Usability
• Aesthetics
• Ergonomics
• Sustainability
• Application of technology
• Concept generation
• User research: how to understand people's needs
• Prototyping

If you are studying the BA (Hons) Product Design with Integrated Foundation Year version of this course, key topics of your integrated foundation year will include:

• Fundamental 3D Design Principles: ergonomics, materials, scale, size, form, and function
• Essential UX principles: user-centered design, information architecture, hierarchy, visual flow, and accessibility
• Proficiency in software and applications for prototyping and extended reality (XR) experiences (Photoshop, Rhino, Blender, Figma, SketchUp, Unity)
• Applying visual language, form principles, and 3D thinking to communicate meaning
• Techniques for shaping, visualizing, and communicating 3D forms while balancing hybrid experiences
• Understanding technical workshop operations and using specialist immersive Design facilities
• Employing creative strategies to generate, test, and evaluate design concepts.

If you choose to add an Integrated Foundation Year on this course, you will be first introduced to the fundamental principles of design. Your foundation year gives you the time, space and support to explore your strengths, build confidence and prepare for the demands of project-based, industry-focused learning. Modules are as follows*:

• Module 1: Diagnostic exploration - making informed choices
• Module 2: Technical - Technical knowledge in practice
• Module 3: Specialist - Innovating specialist practice
• Module 4: Integration - Integrated practice for progression to Higher Education

Please note: Students starting this course with the Integrated Foundation Year in September 2026/27 will study the 2027/28 approved modules in Years 1, 2 and 3.

Year 1

Students will learn key skills in 2D and 3D design, user research, the iterative design process, and current design software.

They’ll begin developing their own approach to product design, building confidence in responding to both live and self-initiated briefs.

This stage also encourages students to start considering their contextual studies research.

Modules include:

• Design Approaches
• Design Skills
• Ergonomics, Inclusion and Empathy
• Interacting with Products
• Professional Life Practice: Developing your Practice
• Professional Life Practice: Exploring your Practice

Year 2

Students will deepen their understanding of the design process, from prototype development to materials and manufacturing techniques.

They’ll collaborate on briefs with peers and have opportunities for work-based learning in the design industry.

Modules include:

• Sustainable Design in Practice
• Interface, Experience and Service Design
• Open Innovation
• Professional Life Practice: Applying your Practice
• Work-based learning.

Year 3

We nurture student's independence as designers with a self-directed major product design project, ready for exhibition at the Degree Show.

They will be assessed on a collaborative brief and are required to enter competitions and engage with industry design challenges. At the same time, they will produce a portfolio for entry into the industry.

We ask students to show their contextual studies research and thinking in a long form dissertation.

Modules include:

• Negotiated Brief
• Final Major Project
• Portfolio and Promotion
• Professional Life Practice: Situating your Practice

Year 1

Build core skills in 2D and 3D design fundamentals, user research, inclusive design and iterative prototyping using current industry-standard software.

Modules may include:

• Rave Beginnings
• Design & Make
• Fundamentals of Practice
• Interacting with Products (& Creative Coding)
• Inclusive Design
• Employability & Professionalism

Year 2

Deepen your understanding of prototyping, sustainable materials, service design and manufacturing processes through live briefs and industry work-based learning opportunities.

Modules may include:

• Immersive Worlds
• Preparing for Industry
• Design for Manufacture
• Service Design
• Sustainable Packaging Design
• Live & Work-based Learning

Year 3

Deliver a self-directed major project for the Degree Show, enter industry competitions, build a long-form dissertation and construct a professional portfolio defining your identity in the design industry.

Modules may include:

• Industry Collaboration
• Situating Practice
• Brand You
• Rave Futures
• Major Project

All modules are subject to revalidation.

A variety of learning and teaching methods are employed in this course. 

These include but are not limited to;

Briefings, lectures, project work, seminars, workshops, collaborative work, online activity, individual tutorials, group presentations, critiques, external visits, technical support and self-directed independent study.

The course is assessed entirely by coursework.

Study hours

BA (Hons) Product Design

• 864 hours of face-to-face taught
• 2736 hours independent study learning

BA (Hons) Product Design with Integrated Foundation Year

• 1152 hours of face-to-face taught
• 3648 hours independent study learning

Course equipment and materials: £500 - £1000 
Books and study resources: £160 - £350 
Visits and studio trips: £115 - £240

Note on laptop costs: Students are strongly recommended to have a personal laptop suitable for design software. If a new purchase is needed, budget approximately £600–£1,200 as a one-off cost, ideally timed for the start of Year 1. Shared studio computers are available on campus for students who do not yet have their own device.

Our campus 

You'll study in a building designed to encourage collaboration between the different disciplines and practices within Ravensbourne, and to stimulate the work of innovative professionals and creative collaboration.

It features a variety of workspaces, including social and quiet areas, high-tech creative suites, technology hubs, design studios and more. 

Want to see where you'd be studying up close? When you book a guided building tour, you can see our fantastic facilities for yourself and find out more from one of our helpful student ambassadors.

Our local area

Ravensbourne is ideally connected - North Greenwich station is just a 2-minute walk away from our campus and offers amazing views from the Greenwich Peninsula.

These transport links offer an easy route to some of London's major business hubs, perfect for reaching possible placements or networking events with employers in the worlds of business or technology.  

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English and Maths in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade CC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 64 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our portfolio process.

Selection criteria:

Students should ideally have a background in art, creative media or design. Admission onto this course is also subject to successful completion of a portfolio (or showreel). 

We may also consider a combination of portfolio and academic qualifications and take into consideration progress made during studies and/or relevant work experience.

If you wish to study our BA (Hons) Product Design course, we will need to see examples of previous work that showcases your suitability for the course. 

This page offers great tips for completing your portfolio/showreel.

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English and Maths in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade DD or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade PPP
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 48 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course.

Selection criteria:

Students should ideally have a background in art, creative media or design. 

There are no interview or portfolio requirements for this course.