Bachelor of Design (Product)
Want to play your part in designing the future? During this hands-on programme, you’ll learn how to approach the design of products, services and systems while keeping human needs and sustainability as your core focus. You’ll design, build and test prototypes to understand concepts and to gain skills in conceptualisation, drawing, modelmaking, Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, graphic design and production methods.
Domestic
Work-based through Capable NZ
About the programme
Product Design is an exciting, ever-evolving profession focused on designing objects and systems to improve the way we live.
As a product designer you could work for corporations, manufacturers, consultancies and in the public sector, working to create specialised equipment with multidisciplinary teams that include doctors, researchers and engineers.
You'll graduate well-equipped for the workforce, with transferrable skills in project management, communication, marketing and idea generation.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have work experience and skills in this area, you may be able to complete an independent learning pathway to achieve this qualification in a shorter timeframe.
Our assessment of prior learning centre, Capable NZ, offers a 10 month full-time / 18-20 month part-time, work-based learning option.
International
About the programme
Product Design is an exciting, ever-evolving profession focused on designing objects and systems to improve the way we live.
As a product designer you could work for corporations, manufacturers, consultancies and in the public sector, working to create specialised equipment with multidisciplinary teams that include doctors, researchers and engineers.
You'll graduate well-equipped for the workforce, with transferable skills in project management, communication, marketing and idea generation.
Studying part-time
We know that full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer a six-year, part-time option for studying this programme.
What You Study
An Otago Polytechnic design degree allows you to develop specialist and transferable skills that are sought after by employers but also well-suited to entrepreneurship and self-employment.
You'll graduate as a work-ready designer with strengths in your chosen design field. You'll also have an understanding of your responsibilities as a designer, learning to design better experiences, create more responsive products and services and consider people, planet and place in the process.
Throughout your degree, you'll have the opportunities to work with design students from other disciplines and develop communication, organisational and collaboration skills through electives, interdisciplinary, individual and team-based projects.
Benefits of studying with us
- Valuable industry experience that gives you key connections
- A range of international exchange opportunities with global partner institutions
- Human-centred approaches, manufacturing processes and aesthetic considerations to enhance your concepts and ideas
- A balanced curriculum of theoretical content and studio-based projects
- Highly personalised learning with small classes and plenty of one-on-one support
- World-class technology, CAD suites and technical support that will provide you with all the tools you need to get the most out of your learning
- Employers want our Product Design graduates for their problem-solving abilities, agile thinking and teamwork. In this programme you'll design, build and test prototypes to understand and refine concepts and cultivate your skills in:
- conceptualisation
- drawing
- model-making
- CAD software
- graphic design
- production methods.
Courses
Year one
You'll develop a foundation of skills and techniques that allow you to practice as a product designer. These include hands-on skills such as sketching, prototyping and material technologies, as well as human-centred design principles, ergonomics, design history and research skills, 3D modelling software and Adobe Creative Suite. In design studios, you'll respond to a project brief, drawing on all your learning to design and create your own products.
Year two
The second year introduces you to design for sustainability strategies and design thinking for entrepreneurship. In the studio project, you'll work on a client brief to learn about the commercial realities of designing for the real world. At the same time, you'll also learn to develop more advanced skills and techniques in understanding materials and production processes, and modelling software.
Year three
Take your design to the next level and apply advanced design research skills and production processes to respond to a client brief, working either in a team or individually. You're encouraged to bring in a project brief of your own interest and work in a real-world context. By the end of the year, you'll have built up a portfolio that will help you take the next step in your design career!
First aid and using equipment safely
You'll be working with wood, metal, plastics, textiles, painting plants and equipment. There are risks and potential hazards in the workspaces and studios. We will let you know about them before you start the programme and we will train you in first aid and in how to use the workshop and studio equipment safely on your own.
You will also have significant exposure to working with design software and be required to have computer health and safety training.
Your tutors
Machiko Niimi
Head of Programme, Principle Lecturer
Tim Armstrong
Senior Lecturer
Andrew Wallace
Senior Lecturer
Gavin O’Brien
Senior Lecturer
Angus Lewry
Teaching and Research Assistant / Lecturer
Alex Gilks
Lecturer
To find out more about your lecturers, visit the Product Design study page.
Further study options
Advance your design skills with our graduate or postgraduate qualifications in Design or Art, or expand your career prospects with a graduate teacher training programme.
Workload
Your workload
There is an emphasis throughout the three year programme on the development of independent learning skills. This is reflected in the decrease of directed hours over the three years with an expectation that, by the end of year three, you will be an independent learner.
Hours are allocated as follows, based on a 32-week academic year:
|
|
Directed (Class Contact Hours) |
Approximate Hours Per Week |
Self-Directed (Non-Class Contact |
Approximate Hours Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
YEAR 1 |
573 |
18 |
627 |
19.5 |
|
YEAR 2 |
474 |
15 |
726 |
22.5 |
|
YEAR 3 |
435 |
13.5 |
765 |
24 |
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- NCEA Level 3
- 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three NZQA approved university entrance subjects, and
- 10 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
- 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing, and
- 10 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
- specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects OR
- package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required).
- If you do not hold the above qualifications, you must demonstrate equivalent qualifications/experience. Mature applicants with work and life experience are encouraged to apply.
- You must submit a portfolio (unless you meet the criteria for automatic entry or have a pre-approval for your portfolio – see Your Portfolio section below).
- You may have to undertake an interview.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure they meet degree-level entry requirements.
English Language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years)
- Writing band 6.0
- Speaking band 6.0
- Reading band 5.5
- Listening band 5.5, OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Provisional entry
A school leaver or an adult applicant who does not meet all the entry criteria may be given provisional entry to year 1 at the discretion of the Head of School.
- Those who successfully complete and pass year 1 will be deemed to have met entry requirements and provisional status will be removed.
- The interview panel will consist of lecturers who teach on the course, along with an academic leader from the department.
- Applicants will be selected on merit on the basis of their portfolio, evidence of creativity and ability to take a concept through to a model stage, and demonstration of the ability to undertake design study at degree level.
Successful applicants will be informed before the end of the year and be sent detailed information on enrolment procedures, loans, starting dates for the following year and any information that might be required to facilitate a smooth introduction to the programme.
Selection process
We select people according to a range of criteria. If we have more eligible applicants than places available, we might put you on a waiting list and we may ask you to come in for an interview to discuss your portfolio.
Your portfolio
A portfolio is a selection of work that shows your creative potential and passion for your chosen design specialty. It can include examples from your school or your own projects at home or in the community.
You need to submit a portfolio when you apply for this programme unless you meet the criteria for automatic entry or get portfolio ‘pre-approval’.
1. Automatic portfolio approval – no portfolio needed
- If you have achieved University Entrance endorsed with excellence overall including merit or excellence in an approved art, design or technology subject at NCEA Level 3, you have automatic entry, and will not need to submit a portfolio.
- This also applies to applicants who have achieved Cambridge International AS grade A or B in an approved art, design or technology subject.
Note: When you apply online and are asked to upload a portfolio, you can either upload a copy of your NCEA results, or upload a note that says “I qualify for automatic entry”. We’ll then verify that with NZQA.
2. Portfolio pre-approval – show ‘work in progress’
- You can show a ‘work in progress’ portfolio to a staff member from the School of Design by making contact with the school, or at open days and careers events throughout the year. If your portfolio meets our criteria you will receive a portfolio per-approval letter which can be uploaded with your application and you won’t have to submit a final portfolio.
- If you have achieved University Entrance and your portfolio already meets the criteria, you’ll receive a portfolio pre-approval letter. You can then upload that letter with your online application and you won’t have to submit a final portfolio.
- If you want to talk to us about portfolio pre-approval, please email our school administrator, Pam.Hodgkinson@op.ac.nz or phone 0800 762 786.
Don't meet the entry requirements?
No problem. We have a couple of pathway programmes that will help you build the skills and degree-level portfolio you need to apply for the Bachelor of Design (Product).
New Zealand Certificate in Arts and Design (Level 4) - starting in February every year
- Develop your research skills, learn about creative processes and materials, and create your own art and design projects.
New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (Level 4) - starting in July every year
- Across a series of hands-on projects, you'll build your creative skills and identify your strengths and the areas that you enjoy the most. Courses include jewellery, textiles, and product design.
By studying both of these Level 4 certificates, you'll have the well-rounded skills you need to undertake degree-level study.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have work experience and skills in this area, you may be able to complete an independent learning pathway to achieve this qualification in a shorter timeframe.
Our assessment of prior learning centre, Capable NZ, offers a 10 month full-time / 18-20 month part-time, work-based learning option.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
Please contact the School of Design for a list of equipment, textbooks and resources you'll need to buy for this programme. Email info@op.ac.nz or phone 0800 762 786.
Multi-year fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Application
How to apply
To apply for this programme just click the blue 'Apply now' button above.
Applications are preferred by 30 November.
Late applications will be accepted if spaces are still available, after which waitlists will apply.
You'll need to submit a portfolio when you apply for this programme unless you meet the criteria for automatic entry or get portfolio ‘pre-approval’.
Find out what you need to include in your portfolio, what we're looking for, and how to submit it.
