Design for Production - Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Summer School
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£1,718 (includes course, accommodation and group airport transfer)
- Start Date(s): 21 July 2025
- Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, two weeks
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
This practical course will introduce you to the UK's creative culture, providing valuable insights into key design trends while helping you develop a product tailored to the market.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your portfolio. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance and digital badge.
What you’ll study
Throughout the course, you will collaborate with product design experts to explore research methods that drive innovation.
The course covers essential skills aimed at creating meaningful and innovative design solutions, including:
- trend forecasting
- identifying markets and opportunities
- writing product specifications
- creating design narratives and visual language
- exploring idea generation and design development
- AI visualisation
- paper and card prototyping.
We look forward to welcoming you and collaborating on innovative solutions.
Project Brief
Designing for Production – UK Contemporary Lighting Market
With production techniques such as laser, water, and plasma cutting becoming more accessible, the opportunity for micro-manufacturing within the design industry has never been more popular.
Developing a product specific to these accessible techniques has become a cost-effective tool for young design entrepreneurs.
Thinking within the restrictions of these production methods reduces costs, allowing the designer to present high-quality prototypes to customers with minimal investment.
During the project you are therefore asked to explore production methods, creating new lighting products for the homeware market.
You will be asked to explore the market to develop a single or range of lighting products specifically for sheet material manufacturing.
After studying on this course, you should be able to:
- apply the design process to your projects using creative methods
- demonstrate creative and innovative approaches to problem solving
- effectively manage the design development of 2D concepts into 3D outcomes
- produce and present work showing evidence of design research methods
- plan and appraise your design process through reflection and evaluation
- employ a range of critical and practical skills using a range of media
- communicate and present your work in a professional manner
- produce a working prototype of your design.
Social activities will be included during the evenings, with the chance to meet other NTU and international students and attend activities hosted by the NTU Global Lounge. Details about activities will be sent in advance, from ten-pin bowling to a farewell party.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study during the course:
Monday
Introduction and Project Briefing.
Meet the teaching team and get an overview of the course and the university.
Receive a project briefing, followed by a workshop on research methods to help you understand and frame the project.
Tuesday
Primary Research Trip to London.
Visit key cultural locations and design-led homeware retailers for inspiration and research.
Wednesday
Research Analysis and Framing Opportunities.
Unpack and analyse research findings, define project opportunities.
Participate in workshops to help frame your project for the ideation phase and engage in rapid 2D ideation.
Thursday
Idea Development.
1:1 and group tutorials to discuss and guide your idea development.
Friday
Rapid 3D Ideation.
Hands-on workshop using paper and cardboard to create scale models of your concepts.
Saturday and Sunday
Free time.
Monday
Concept Development (2D & 3D).
Continue 1:1 and group tutorials focused on refining your concept development in both 2D and 3D.
Tuesday
Rapid Visualization with AI.
Interactive workshop exploring text-to-image AI tools for generating and enhancing design visuals.
Wednesday
Concept Development in 3D.
Use flatbed production methods to create a full-scale sample of your design.
Thursday
Concept Realisation.
Final 1:1 and group tutorials to help prepare your work for exhibition.
Friday
Project Exhibition.
Prepare and set up an exhibition of your work, with support for photographing your project to a professional standard.
How you’re taught
In addition to the lectures and seminars in the classroom and the practical design work in the studio, you’ll have the chance to visit key locations that highlight the UK's rich design heritage, such as museums and influential retailers, offering you exposure to the country's vibrant design scene.
As well as exploring key locations in Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé, the course will include a research trip to London where we will visit key cultural locations for inspiration as well as key retailers of design-led homeware. Locations will include
- Coal drop yard
- The Victoria and Albert Museum
- The Design Museum
Assessment
The summer school will culminate in an exhibition where you will showcase your work and prototypes, share your insights, and celebrate the completion of this exciting and transformative experience.
A certificate of attendance and digital badge will be provided to every student who successfully completes the course.
Contact hours
You will receive 50 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment on the City Campus.
You’ll find collaborative working spaces where you develop your sketches and concepts, and IT suites equipped with industry standard software including Adobe Creative Cloud and AutoCAD.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
Entry requirements
You should be studying a design, business or marketing course and have an interest in product design, manufacturing or retail.
Whilst we do not ask for evidence of your English language ability, as a guide we recommend an English level of 4.5 EILTS (or equivalent) or above.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £1,718. This includes the course fee, accommodation on campus and airport transfer for group bookings.
Payment is due at the time of booking.
Read the terms and conditions of booking.
Support for your visit:
We offer single room accommodation with private bathroom on the NTU city campus. These rooms have a shared kitchen and living space. They are a short walk to the classrooms as well as being in the heart of the city close to all the attractions.
Your bedding and towels are provided, and you’ll get a set of crockery. Each kitchen will have a set of cooking equipment for you to make your own meals. The accommodation has 24-hour security.
Invitation / visa letters will be provided to all students to support the visa process.
Airport transfers will be made available for group bookings. Ask us for details.
How to apply
How to apply
You can book your place (including accommodation) via the NTU online store:
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813