Product Design with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

**Course summary**- Learn the skills you need to become a professional product or service designer.- Create visually compelling and innovative products and engaging service experiences.- Develop real-world experience working on live projects with global brands.- Benefit from exceptional connections with relevant industry and professional networksIf you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) courses, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation year – which has been designed to encourage exploration and experimentation.This course prepares you for an exciting career as a globally-minded designer, equipped to identify and respond empathetically, sustainably and collaboratively to creative opportunities.**How you learn**Through studio-based learning and working on live projects, you'll gain a deep understanding of design culture and practice. You'll learn how to take creative risks while also developing your own personal approach.. You'll develop collaborative skills through interdisciplinary projects, as well as engaging globally with our established partner institutions in Hong Kong and Taiwan. In the first ‘induction’ module you’ll learn to work confidently and creatively with a wide range of different materials. In the second ‘project’ module you’ll be taught by tutors from the BA (Hons) course supported by foundation tutors.You’ll learn through- studio-based design projects- technical workshops- lectures and seminars- authentic work experiences and placements- live design projects- field trips- presentations and feedback sessions- studio-based design projects- Blackboard online learning portal- self-directed study**Applied learning****Work placements**You'll have opportunities to arrange single or multiple work placement/s in between your second and third years of the full course. Placements give you real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. Previous students have secured placements with Design Futures, Morphy Richards, Lowe Alpine, BDP Lighting, Joseph Joseph and Mazda Europe. You may also be able to work or study abroad – with the possibility of funding (subject to the UK’s continued participation in the Erasmus+ programme following the Brexit transition period).**Live projects**You'll engage in authentic work experiences in each year of the course, working with external partners and exciting live briefs. Recent live projects have seen students working with RAB, the NHS, Astro Lighting and 257 Product + Brand Development. You'll have the opportunity to pitch project outcomes to company representatives and potentially receive payment for designs.**Field trips**We offer opportunities to go on study trips and visits in the UK and abroad – with free travel and accommodation for all mandatory field trips on the course. These could include workshops, design exhibitions or visits to practitioners’ studios and museums. Recent international trip destinations include Berlin, Copenhagen and Milan. There may be opportunities to further enhance your studies with optional field trips, though these will incur additional costs.**Networking opportunities**Sheffield Hallam's Careers Connect mentoring scheme allows you to gain professional insights and support from a personal mentor working in your field of interest. We also organise an annual two-day employability event, allowing you to network with commercial partners and participate in one-to-one portfolio reviews. Our annual degree show is a great opportunity for graduating students to showcase their work.