Bachelor of Design, Product Design

Within its unique approach, this Bachelor's degree program provides emerging designers with a dynamic inter-disciplinary education that links innovation and creativity through the transformation of ideas into marketable products.

KPU's Product Design degree provides a rigorous, hands-on education that combines a solid foundation in practical design principles such as construction and economics with design, manufacturing, and marketing. Whether engaging in robust academic studies, intensive design studio sessions, or collaborating with industry partners, graduates of this program complete their studies poised for success as professionals.

While product design covers a wide range of industries, KPU's program provides particular emphasis on the design and manufacture of recreational gear and technical goods, sportswear and accessories, protective, safety, and rescue equipment to name a few. Students will also explore product design in medical, industrial, and technological contexts as well as everyday consumer goods. These types of products are consistent and growing in demand by all sectors of society, ranging from children, adults, and seniors to persons with disabilities and medical needs.

KPU faculty's strength and expertise provide a world-class balance of academic rigor and instruction with hands-on, practical immersion from industry leaders and cutting-edge innovators. The Product Design program has been carefully developed to uphold high academic standards and industry partnerships to ensure our graduates meet the needs of the global economy. Successful graduates develop a deep understanding of the connection between product design, industry, and the market and are empowered to undertake leadership positions in design practices aimed at advancing the industry.

The stunning geography of British Columbia provides the perfect backdrop to earn a Product Design degree. Working in collaboration with professional associations and industry designers, graduates can expect to develop and design products that are relevant for Canadian and international economies, providing innovative solutions for emerging needs that can improve people's everyday lives and well-being.

Product Design is a four-year, selective entry degree program consisting of 120 credits of course work organized into eight semesters of full-time study. The Product Design program provides an interdisciplinary education that consists of three major streams: Creativity and Innovation, Technology, Interdisciplinary, and Leadership, all woven into an integrated curriculum and timetable.

Students will develop knowledge, skills, and abilities from a variety of domains within these three streams that link design and technology to an understanding of social, cultural, and historical contexts through elective access to the wide range of courses available. Students will become skilled in applying design theory and processes with an emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem solving, and originate and produce products that focus on transforming pliable materials, such as natural and synthetic fibers, wood, and metal; understanding the constraints and potential of digital technologies; collaborating with industries and markets, and creating responsible leaders in society for the challenges of today and tomorrow