Objectives
Innovation and efficient realisation of a product is critical for UK industry to be able to compete in today’s global market against rapidly emerging nations, such as China, who can employ a relatively cheap workforce, minimising production costs. As a result there is a growing demand for independent innovators and creators, with an entrepreneurial spirit, who are able to turn design ideas into functional product descriptions using a range of computing software and engineering techniques. This programme will provide an overview of current technologies and tools for effectively implementing technology in design to prove and realise a product independently. The enabling power of technology will be employed in the product design process to reduce the number of iterations required to validate and communicate the solution. The programme includes an extended project which is primarily research led involving an innovative design exercise which covers all aspects of entrepreneurial process. As a student on this programme you will look at a current issue and form an informed decision on what constitutes a new product. The report will include all the elements of product development from its inception, to conception, market research, design, analysis, manufacture, simulation, validation, rapid prototyping, case development, marketing and convincing sellers to display and sell for commission, brand creation, packaging, protection, IP etc. This programme develops graduates who: -can investigate a topical issue and make an informed decision on what constitutes a new product; -understand and use the latest analytical tools, experimental and numerical techniques that can replace limited and classical mechanics of material theories; -can employ relevant tools and methods to take an idea for a product from it’s inception to a marketable design appropriate to the needs of their industries; -are fully conversant with modern information resources and use them effectively and efficiently; -are able to document and communicate, using oral and written presentations, project plans and results; -are able to initiate, research, plan, conduct, report and convince industrial experts of the marketability of an innovative product through an extended project.
