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Product Design Engineering (PDE) is an engineering degree course that combines two disciplines, Engineering with Industrial Design. The course uses the best resources from the Faculty of Design located at Prahran and Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences located at the Hawthorn campus. Students are selected through an interviewing process where Maths and Science are important but aptitude for design is also a major factor. During the course, students cover engineering areas at the same time as industrial design studies. Design of products that uses both the engineering and industrial design knowledge is done through projects in Product Design Studio classes.
What makes the PDE program stand out from similar programs at other universities?
Product Design Engineering (PDE) is the only course that offers an integrated program that incorporates the engineering skills into the product design studio to develop innovative products Students entering the program are not required to have a fully developed folio, just an interest in product or automotive design. Tutorials and projects are delivered to help build conceptual sketching, product illustration, computer aided design (CAD) and modelmaking skills. Engineering studies are used to enable complete design of a product, from the concept to design for manufacture.
Product Design Engineering has a strong overseas study program with placements in Groningen-Netherlands, Allborg-Denmark, Korea and Germany.
What career opportunities await graduates of the PDE program?
Product Design Engineering graduates obtain a diverse range of design and engineering skills. Graduates are employed in a diverse range of industries from medical equipment, automotive design and project management to Industrial Design consultants. Focus on the design and manufacture of products are well suited to careers in the automotive and other associated industry and engineering departments that implement new product design or improvements. Some graduates work for Industrial Design consultants developing new products within the engineering groups.
All our students have the opportunity to complete 1 year of paid employment through the (Industry Based Learning-IBL) during the course before they return to complete their final year of study. Therefore, Product Design Engineering graduates have strong industry experience and are preferred by employers.
Examples of some outstanding graduates/staff from the program
There are many examples of exciting careers Product Design Engineering graduates have undertaken. Two graduates have been employed at the new Toyota vehicle design centre in Melbourne. Ford and Holden have also employed many of the PDE graduates in their design centres. One of our graduates has become a Product Patent Attorney while others worked on projects in microtechnology.
What do you look for in a potential student?
Applicants for this course must have good knowledge in Maths and Sciences (preferably Physics), and have the desire to work in design and development of innovative new products.
Are there pathways one can take to better their chances into the PDE program?
A majority of students are selected from year 12 candidates. Other applicants can consider completing TAFE diploma or advanced diploma in mechanical engineering and enter the Product Design Engineering course at an advanced level.
How are students selected and what advice would you give to someone applying?
Students are required to be interviewed and are required to obtain an application form from the Faculty of Design web page. No slides or folio work are required for this application but students are encouraged to bring examples of any design work (if available) to the interview.
How is the course regarded and supported by the local/International industry?
Product Design Engineering students are in high demand by industry as their diverse range of skills allow for a number of career options. Their design and engineering knowledge, make these graduates able to design the aesthetics of the product as well as do all the calculations and manufacturing decisions. Some of our students spend one year of overseas study in Holland where they have the opportunity to work at the Philips Company. In all cases they have been able to contribute in major projects (electric razor) where the company has complemented their level of engineering knowledge and design creativity.
What's the best advice you would give someone contemplating a career in Product Design Engineering?
Students applying should research and determine their area of interests then visit or undertake work experience the selected industry to determine interested and satisfaction. Students should visit open days and attend both campuses Hawthorn and Prahran to view examples of projects and speak to students and lecturers. Check the VTAC guide to see what the prerequisites are for this course.
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