Module manager: Dr Hau Hing Chau
Email: H.H.Chau@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
A problem-based design studio module with a number of projects which challenge the student to apply and combine their skills and learning from this module and other modules to develop and communicate creative solutions to complex problems.
1. To undertake research and analysis on an innovative mass-produced product or a product category
2. To apply an understanding on the strengths and limitations of manufacturing processes that are commonly used in consumer products, and to produce detailed design suitable for such processes.
3. To develop advanced CAD (computer aided design system) skills and to apply them to produce 3D solid models of detailed design
4. To generate conceptual designs and to evaluate them against a list of design requirements
5. To develop a concept into a detailed design that satisfied user needs and is suitable for manufacturing
6. To produce and to communicate detailed design for mass production in human readable and machine readable formats
7. To demonstrate a detailed design that has satisfied user needs in a given usage scenario
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. To conduct background research on product innovation in the marketplace, including the analysis of the historical development of an innovation and key enablers, and use this to inform possible future developments of the product.
2. To apply commonly used manufacturing processes for consumer products and to produce detailed design of parts suitable for mass production.
3. To apply advanced CAD modelling techniques, including freeform geometry modelling, with sufficient details for downstream manufacturing processes
4. To produce drawings of detailed design according to established industrial standards
5. To use the Designing Triad to understand the relationship between the User, the Designer and the Maker, and as an design approach
6. To research on users needs in the context of use and to produce a list of design requirements
7. To produce and to communicate conceptual designs
8. To develop a concept into a detailed design with human factor considerations
9. To communicate detailed designs in human and machine readable formats
10. To produce a semi-working aesthetic prototype to communicate a detailed design
11. To produce a professional portfolio to communicate a detailed design of an artefact and its benefits demonstrating that user needs are satisfied within the context of use
12. To demonstrate the ability to use manufacturers specification of standard components and to incorporate them in ones detailed design
13. To evaluate a design objectively against design requirements.
These module learning outcomes contribute to the following AHEP4 learning outcomes:
14. Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes (B13)
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:
a. Commercial Awareness,
b. Communication Skills
c. Planning and Organisation
d. Critical Thinking
e. Independent Working
- Contemporary product design history and its influences on today’s practice
- Enabling technologies in product design and changing users’ needs
- Manual sketches communicating key aspects of products
- Manufacturing processes including injection moulding, sheet metal and other common ones
- Detailed design of parts for specific manufacturing processes
- Solid modelling using a CAD system: sketches over images, spline, swept, loft, shell, intersection, union, draft, hole, boss, rib, rendering
- Exploded drawing in perspective: assembly sequence, alignment, balloons, bill of materials
- General assembly in orthogonal projections: third angle projection, views, layouts, sections, key dimensions
- Detailed drawings: partial enlarged views, full dimensioning, drawing templates, BS8888 and LUMED (Leeds University Mechanical Engineering Drawing and Design Handbook) drawing standards
- Designing Triad: the User, the Designer, the Maker; and designed artefact for users in the context of use
- Ergonomics and anthropometric data
- Design requirements
- Time management enabling regular and meaningful progress
- Conceptual designs
- Standard components and the use of their manufacturers’ specifications
- Detailed design
- Semi-working aesthetic prototype using 3D printing and other commonly used prototyping techniques
- High quality presentation using DTP (desktop publishing software): communicating target users, the context of use, product storyboard
- Focus group study
- Design evaluation
Methods of assessment
The assessment details for this module will be provided at the start of the academic year
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Workshop | 4 | 0.5 | 2 |
| Workshop | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Supervision | 10 | 0.5 | 5 |
| Practical (computer based) | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Lecture | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Seminar | 8 | 1 | 8 |
| Private study hours | 153 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 47 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
An online discussion board will be monitored during specified times each week, plus seminars, drop-in sessions (tutorials) and other interactive activities.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 02/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team