Design impacts our daily lives and determines how we perceive the world. It reflects the breadth of this creative and broad field. Any of the best product design colleges will push you to build your own creative and unique design style, regardless of the subject, from gaming and graphic design to product design and interior design.
The best product design colleges will teach you how to bring your innovative ideas to life and how the design industry works. You’ll gradually equip yourself with practical and theoretical knowledge, and industrial know-how needed to enter the business sector of your choice over the course of three to five years.
But how can you tell which college best suits your future career needs as a product designer? You compare these colleges in terms of academics, faculty quality, and campus facilities.
Here is a guide of 10 best product design colleges around the world to help you out.
Location: USA
SCAD is a single institution having campuses in several locations around the United States with study abroad options in Lacoste, France. Each SCAD campus offers a unique experience. Students can study at any campus at any time during their studies. SCAD students pursuing a product design course here learn through comprehensive curricula and state-of-the-art technologies to achieve their most ambitious goals.
SCAD resources outperform cutting-edge resources found in top product design companies, instilling in-demand technological agility with over 100 software packages licensed and remote access to next-generation programmes it is one of the best product design colleges in the world.
Product Design Courses: Bachelors of Fine Arts in Accessory Design (4 years) | Bachelors of Fine Arts in Furniture Design (4 years) | Bachelors of Fine Arts in Jewellery Design (4 years)
Admission Process: Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. However, students should start applying at least six months ahead of time if they require financial assistance, and no later than 30 days before the start of their first quarter.
Students will need their high school diploma, SAT or ACT scores, and proof of English proficiency. A portfolio is not required for undergraduates but could help if they want to receive an achievement scholarship.
Course Fees: Total, full-time student for one academic year US$38,340
*Based on three courses per quarter enrolment for three quarters.
Location: Australia
Swinburne University of Technology is amongst the best product design colleges that uses science, technology, and innovation for a positive social and economic impact. Swinburne University is a dual-sector university that offers both higher education and Pathways and Vocational Education (PAVE). They offer courses in a wide range of areas, and their tight relationships with industry allow students to gain significant work experience while studying.
Swinburne researchers have a strong track record in physics, astronomy, materials science, engineering, information technology, design, health sciences, neurosciences, and mental health research. Their researchers interact with industry through embedded relationships to drive innovation and create impact, and they are supported by leading digital technology platforms.
Product Design Course: Bachelor of Engineering, Honours in Product Design (3 years)
Admission Process: Students can apply online through the university website. Certified copies of your previous academic results, certified English language proficiency test results (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL), letters from your school, and a portfolio of work are required from applicants.
Course Fees: Total, full-time student for one academic year $38,600.
*Based on standard study load per year
Location: Canada
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), was founded by the British Columbia government in 1981 and now has five campuses in the Metro Vancouver region of the province. In more than 140 programmes, KPU offers bachelor’s diplomas, certificates, degrees, associate degrees, and citations.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University provides a variety of credentials, many of which are one-of-a-kind, to address the changing needs of regional and worldwide job markets, making this one of the best product design colleges worldwide. Students can earn bachelor’s degrees by bridging certificate and diploma qualifications, giving them the possibility of academic and professional advancement in applied and technical studies.
Product Design Course: Bachelors of Design in Product Design (4 years)
Admission Process: Students can submit their application online, and will also have to submit a portfolio of work along with other relevant documents such as standardised test scores and education certificates. Applicants will also go through a portfolio review and an interview.
Course Fees: Total, full-time student for one academic year $17,500
Locations: Italy, England, UAE
For 85 years, Istituto Marangoni has never lost sight of the importance of education and has continually updated its programmes to meet the needs of both the Italian and international markets. Istituto Marangoni has built a reputation for being one of the best product design colleges with four new schools in the last several years: London in 2003, Paris in 2006, Shanghai in 2013, and Milano Design in 2014.
The new Istituto Marangoni School of Fashion, Art & Design in Firenze, as well as in Shenzhen (2016), Mumbai (2017), and Miami (2018), the international capitals of fashion, design, and luxury, has recently opened.
Istituto Marangoni has long aimed to develop professionals in critical areas such as design, communication, and managerial coordination through a wide range of preparatory, undergraduate, and master’s courses.
Students at Istituto Marangoni are continually encouraged to learn with all the tools they need to confidently start their careers. Our students connect with prominent fashion companies through highly skilled professors, the same organisations that look to us to locate their next hires.
Product Design Courses: Bachelors of Arts, Honours in Product Design (3 years) | Bachelors in Product Design (3 years)
Admission Process: Applicants will undergo an interview, portfolio review, and a skills test after applying with all required educational and English proficiency certificates.
Course Fees: Total, full-time student for one academic year $18,000.
Location: USA
Parsons has been motivated by the transformative power of design for almost a century. Today, the school’s ground-breaking academic programmes continue that objective, making Parsons the best product design colleges in the United States and one of the top three in the world.
Parsons draws on a diverse variety of academic subjects to provide a distinctively multidisciplinary education reinforced by the resources of its New York City and Paris campuses. Here, future creative leaders engage in hands-on learning and grow as critical thinkers and makers contending with today’s most serious issues.
Product Design Course: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Product Design (4 years)
Admission Process: Students wanting to apply to this school must submit the application form with a high school diploma, SAT scores, and a portfolio of work.
Course Fees: Total, full-time student for one academic year $34,500-$50,500
Location: Finland
Aalto University is where art collides with technology and commerce. Aalto University’s six schools, departments, and units conduct scientific research, artistic activities, and education.
The mission of Aalto University is to design a sustainable future. They are known to excel and make breakthroughs in science, art, technology, and business through conducting high-quality research making them one of the best product design colleges.
With research-based knowledge, creativity, and an entrepreneurial attitude, the university inspires tomorrow’s game-changers and renews society. The university’s ideals of responsibility, courage, and collaboration guide all of the students’ work. They’ve designed a strategy for a fast-paced world.
Product Design Course: Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Design (3 years)
Admission Process: There are various steps to getting into this best product design college. Preliminary assignments, intake assignments, and an interview are used to determine admittance.
Preliminary assignments from applicants are graded on a pass/fail metric. Only those who pass will be invited to proceed to the following rounds of the application process. Intake assignments are graded on a scale of 0-75 points, and the interview is graded on a scale of 0-25 points. The applicants are ranked according to their overall score from the intake tasks as well as the interview.
Course Fees: Total, full-time student for one academic year $16,500
Location: Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) ranks among the top 100 institutions worldwide with 85 years of experience in education. PolyU is a place where positive impact thinkers, discoverers, innovators, and communicators are educated. They are dedicated to developing tomorrow’s leaders today by providing a holistic education that prepares graduates for unparalleled placements in communities, industries, and businesses.
The university aspires to address real-world difficulties through interdisciplinary research and significant inventions. For the benefit of the nation and the world, researchers from the institution are discovering breakthrough ideas, supporting sustainability, enhancing economic outcomes, and improving the lives of communities. Making this amongst the best product design colleges in Asia.
Product Design Course: Bachelor of Arts in Product Design (2 years)
Admissions Process: To be eligible for admissions for one of Asia’s best product design colleges, applicants must have a GCE Advanced Level or International Advanced Level with passes in 3 AL, OR 2 AL, and 2 AS subjects, or a minimum score of 24 with at least grade 4 in 2 Higher Level subjects. They will also have to take English proficiency tests and may be subject to interviews and a skills test during the application process.
Course Fees: Total, full-time student for one academic year $18,500
Location: Scotland
Established in 1845, The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is one of the oldest schools of art and best product design colleges. GSA’s Innovation School offers a distinct and comprehensive understanding of design’s future role in society. Students who complete the BDes and MEDes programmes will have a diversified skill set as well as a deep awareness of design’s developing function as a creative and strategic link between technology and society.
Both programmes include chances for foreign study and participation in real-world projects with businesses and government agencies. As a result, our graduates have a distinct intercultural viewpoint that equips them for a wide range of creative endeavours.
Product Design Course: Bachelors of Design in Product Design (4 years)
Admission Process: Students must apply with a portfolio of work and a minimum IELTS score of 5.5.
Course Fees: Total, full-time student for one academic year $24,300
Location: Singapore
LASALLE is Asia’s leading post-secondary institution for contemporary arts and is regarded as one of the best product design colleges due to their education and practise, with 30 different programmes and a community of award-winning artists, designers, educators, and researchers leading the way.
The college creates a supportive, multidisciplinary learning environment to inspire the next generation of globally engaged artists, designers, and creative industry leaders.
Its faculty is led by a group of award-winning artists, designers, educators, and researchers, and their practise-led research distinguishes LASALLE as a global leader. LASALLE is one of the top 150-200 art and design schools in the world (QS World University Rankings 2022).
Product Design Course: Bachelors of Arts, Honours in Product Design (3 years)
Admission Process: Eligible students looking to apply to this college must showcase a portfolio in the relevant arts discipline with 10–15 pieces of original work that demonstrate their creative development and process. An interview will also be conducted where the portfolio of work will be discussed.
Course Fees: Total, full-time student for one academic year $18,000
Location: England
Teesside University is amongst the best product design colleges with a global reputation for academic quality, providing an exceptional student and learning experience based on research, enterprise, and the professions.
Their School of Arts and Creative Industries is in a unique position to help talented artists, designers, media producers, journalists, performers, musicians, and curators at every step of their careers.
Teesside University provides a hands-on approach to professional practise development in their well-equipped workshops and open-plan design studios, where students will acquire both traditional and digital design abilities. Students apply what they’ve learned to a variety of commercial design projects while also honing their professional, business, and marketing abilities in this dynamic environment.
Product Design Course: Bachelors of Arts, Honours in Product Design (3 Years)
Admission Process: The admission process just involves the submission of an application form with supporting documents and submission of a portfolio of work.
Course Fees: Total, full-time student for one academic year $17,200
We hope this list of the 10 best product design colleges around the world helps you in picking a product design course that best suits your needs. In recent years, the design industry has been showing rapid growth globally.
If you would like to get started on your journey to the best product design colleges in the world, check out Clever Harvey’s Brand Design Course ! The JuniorMBA in Design and Branding with Kellogg’s will teach you the foundations of design. In just 15 hours you, design an innovative product package for Kellogg’s and learn how to use your creativity and visual design skills to drive business growth.
Design is all around us. From how we communicate with others, to how we listen to music; from how our cities are formed and constructed, to how a specialised medical gadget is developed to save lives.
Even if you don’t attend one of these top design schools, design is an exciting prospect because it is such an important, relevant, and dynamic subject that offers a broad scope for careers. We hope you now have a better understanding of where you may get your design qualifications if you want to study at the best international colleges.
Countries which have shown significant growth and scope for product design are generally in Europe and North America.
A bachelor’s degree in product design is the most traditional path to becoming a product designer.
Product design engineers are primarily concerned with aesthetics, styling, and ensuring that the final product adheres to the original concept. The job of the mechanical design engineer is to carry out the product design engineer’s vision and make the product safe to use and build.
No, but it is beneficial. Your success as a UX designer isn’t determined by whether or not you can code; it’s determined by how well you execute the design-thinking process and whether or not you can use mockup tools to generate solutions that solve the challenge at hand.
Product designers have a wide scope of career opportunities, including roles as UX designers, customer experience architects, interaction designers, or information architects.
Subjects that can complement a product designing course well include maths, physics, art, and computer editing.
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