Course overview
Applied Design Practice (Product Design) Level 3 National Diploma City of Bristol CollegeProduct Design is one of four specialist pathways within our Applied Design programme.
All students begin with a shared foundation in design principles, creative processes, and industry-standard software before choosing a specialist pathway. Product Design sits within the programme’s 3D design strand, alongside Set Design, with opportunities to develop skills in CAD, prototyping, and 3D printing. You will cover the core principles of design and learn how to apply the creative process across a range of media and project outcomes using industry-standard Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Through practical projects, you’ll develop skills in research, idea generation, visual communication, and presentation, building a strong foundation in contemporary design practice.
These transferable skills will then be developed and applied within Product Design, where you will explore how designers create objects, furniture, tools, and packaging through sketching, CAD, model-making, prototyping, and 3D printing. You’ll learn how to balance creativity with practical problem-solving, considering how products look, function, and interact with the people who use them. Focusing on innovation, functionality, and design thinking, you’ll develop the skills needed to take an idea from initial concept through to a resolved and professionally presented design outcome.
Dates and applications
Please hover over the ‘i’ button to find out more about course fees and applications.
| Course Code | Dates | Days | Hours per week | Start Time | Location | Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LC-ARTL3-05X/FC01 | 07/09/2026 - 03/07/2027 | Tues, Weds & Thurs | 17.91 | 09:15 | College Green Centre |
This course costs £. If you are aged 16-18 and looking to study full time; you will not pay any tuition fees. If you are aged 19 or over, you may also be eligible to study for free. Please contact us to discuss your options or visit our Financial Support page.
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Additional information
Who is this course for?
Best suited for students who love designing practical, sustainable, and user-focused products.
What you'll learn
What you will learn You will develop a broad understanding of applied design before specialising in Product Design.
You will learn how to:
- Apply the creative design process from initial research through to final outcomes
- Generate, develop and present original product design ideas
- Use Adobe Creative Cloud and digital tools to support design communication
- Explore CAD, prototyping, model-making and 3D printing
- Design objects, furniture, tools, packaging and functional products
- Develop sketching, technical drawing and visualisation skills
- Understand how products are shaped by function, materials, users and context
- Balance creativity with practical problem-solving and design thinking
- Refine your work through testing, feedback and professional presentation
- Build a portfolio of work to support progression into higher study, employment or the creative industries
Course entry requirements
5 x GCSEs at grade 4 or above, or a Level 2 equivalent in a relevant subject.
You will have gained either English and/or Maths at GCSE Level 4 or above, or Level 2 Functional Skills in English and/or Maths.
We are firmly committed to finding the right course for you to ensure you can flourish.
Talk to us today if you have any concerns about the application process – we’re here to help take you to the next level.
How is the course delivered and assessed?
All assessment is through coursework – there are no exams.
Future career and study opportunities
This pathway opens doors to Higher Education, apprenticeships, or roles in product, industrial, or spatial design.
Additional costs
We provide the basics, but you may need to purchase additional art materials from our on-site art shop.
Students from low-income households can apply to the Learner Support Fund for help with these costs.
